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Have you ever found yourself somewhere new and have no idea how to get around?
Do you choose Uber where you have to pay high fares everywhere, or do you dare to pay too much for a rental car and insurance that you will hopefully never need?
We’ve all been there and literally paid the price.
Public transportation is useful to all walks of life, which is why many travelers tend to avoid it altogether because they don’t know who their seatmate is.
But if there’s one city that’s reportedly tackling the image of an unsafe/ugly commute, it’s Seattle, which made a valiant effort last year to curb crime on board public transit, according to the Seattle Times.
That’s why we’re thrilled to be the first major publication to unveil the city’s groundbreaking developments new train routeintended to connect Seattle tourists beyond the beautiful mountain-ringed skyline with some of Washington’s most underrated escapes just steps away, but surprisingly complicated to get to.
Stop the bus! Or don’t go any further…
Another option in almost any city is to hop aboard the bus, usually the most budget-friendly option for getting around, but also notoriously sketchy in many cases.
Tourists looking to head outside of Seattle to “hidden gems” and new hotspots have had a hard time sitting next to, say, transients, or opting to pay potentially sky-high fares, as previously mentioned.
And now that there’s news that Seattle has been spotted testing Waymo’s, the question is whether it’s scarier to sit next to someone on a bus who might seem crazy in the backseat of a driverless car…
All things considered, that’s Seattle’s reason newly launched Sound Transit Line 2, starting March 28, is such a win for locals and tourists alike.
No more questionable bus rides, no more crossing your fingers that rideshare price hikes won’t happen, and no more driving around an unfamiliar city looking for a parking spot only to pay for it once you finally find it.
Where the Crosslake Lake Right Rail will take you next
Without the new launch of Line 2, travelers have missed out on seamless access to some of Washington’s trendiest and best-kept secret destinations.
As you might imagine, before this week’s ribbon cutting, there was only Line 1 (who would have thought?!).
Line 2 is a whole new ball game when it comes to exploring the region.
Instead of traveling in a straight line up and down the Puget Sound, Line 2 dares to venture east to chic islands and lesser-known towns – some of which our Travel Off Path team has fallen in love with.
Here’s the full eastern route that we find most exciting:
- Judkins Park
- Mercer Island
- South Bellevue
- Eastern Main
- Bellevue center
- Wilburton
- Spring district
- BelRed
- Overlake village
- Redmond Technology
- Marymoor village
- Downtown Redmond
In bold are the three destinations that we think are the most attractive to visit.
But before you dive any further, know this Line 2 also runs parallel to much of Line 1with the following stops in Seattle and neighboring Lynnwood:
- Lynnwood town center
- Mount Lake Terrace
- Coastline North/185th
- Coastline South/148th
- North Gate
- Roosevelt
- U district
- University of Washington
- Capitol Hill
- Westlake
- Symphony
- Pioneer Square
- International District/Chinatown
3 destinations that will boom through tourism
If you venture outside Seattle city limits, you’ll find a plethora of gems that are sure to benefit from increased tourism now that Line 2 is up and running.
Here are our expert picks for the top 3 places you absolutely must visit on your next Seattle getaway:
- Mercer Island: Best for waterfront parks, walking trails, beach access, and a slower, more residential feel that makes it ideal for a quiet reset, but expect a price spike because this urban island is bougee!
- Redmond: More than just Microsoft’s backyard, Redmond is an underrated mix of outdoor and small-town charm with expansive parks and walking trails, craft breweries, community events and a more relaxed atmosphere than Seattle
- Bellevue: Feels like Seattle’s sleeker, easy-going cousin – ideal for high-end shopping, distinctive restaurants, vibrant arts, downtown parks, and quick access to both Lake Washington and diverse nature adventures
Rides cost just $3
The West Coast is notoriously expensive across the board, so being able to hop aboard Line 2 for less than your sweet Starbucks brew feels like a bargain.
A single ride for adults (19 – 64 years) costs $3, but you can also take a day pass for $6 and take unlimited rides during the same calendar day – no 24 hour transfer.
The easiest way to pay is obtaining one ORCA cardwhich sounds like one Sea world pass but is the system’s reloadable public transport card.
Simply top up your balance and tap when you board the train (or bus).
