Seattle taxi rates, explained
What a taxi costs in Seattle and from SeaTac Airport: the regulated meter rates, the $20 airport minimum, and our pre-booked fares by vehicle class, with exactly what each one includes.
How much is a taxi in Seattle?
Metered taxis in Seattle and King County charge $2.60 to start, $2.70 per mile and $0.50 per minute in slow traffic, with a $20 minimum on trips from SEA. That puts a metered ride from SeaTac to downtown Seattle at roughly $40 to $55 before tip. Seattle Airport Taxi's pre-booked fares start from $75 in an Economy Sedan, set before you ride, with taxes and tolls included and a driver waiting at arrivals.
How Seattle taxi meter rates work
Metered taxis in Seattle and King County use rates set by a joint King County and City of Seattle rule, effective October 2024. The meter starts at $2.60, then adds $2.70 per mile when the cab is moving above about 11 mph, or $0.50 per minute when it is stopped or crawling below that speed. Trips that start at SEA have a $20 minimum fare.
Some taxis at SEA charge a set fare by destination zip code instead of the meter. Rates can change, so confirm the current fare with the taxi company before you ride.
For one or two travelers with light bags going downtown, a metered taxi usually costs less than our Economy Sedan. What our higher starting price buys is a reserved car with a driver tracking your flight, a vehicle sized to your group and bags, car seats on request, and a price that does not move with traffic.
Worked example: SeaTac to downtown Seattle by meter
- Starting charge: $2.60
- About 14 miles at $2.70 per mile: $37.80
- About 10 minutes in slow traffic at $0.50 per minute: $5.00
- Estimated meter total: about $45, plus tip. Heavy traffic adds more.
Seattle Airport Taxi fares by vehicle
Starting-from prices for a one-way private ride, set when you book. Your exact fare depends on your addresses and is shown before you pay.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Checked bags | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Sedan Tesla Model 3, Toyota Prius or similar | Up to 2 | 2 | $75 | Solo travelers and couples |
| Standard Sedan Tesla Model Y, Chrysler 300 or similar | Up to 3 | 3 | $85 | Business travel, small families |
| Mini Van Toyota Sienna, Mercedes Metris or similar | Up to 4 | 4 | $125 | Families, car seats, extra luggage |
| Passenger Van Groups of 5 or more | 5+ | Group luggage | $200 | Groups and teams |
Included in every booked ride
No add-on needed.
- Private, non-stop ride for your party only
- Taxes and tolls on the route
- Flight tracking and 30 minutes free waiting at SEA
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup
Extras, listed plainly
Added only if you choose them or need them.
- Meet and greet inside baggage claim: $50
- Car seats: $25 infant or toddler, $20 booster
- Pets in a carrier: $30. Service animals free
- Extra stops, paid parking and extra waiting time
- Gratuity is optional and chosen at checkout
Every other charge, listed plainly
What can change your total, and what never does.
| Item | Seattle Airport Taxi |
|---|---|
| Taxes and tolls | Included in your quoted price |
| Traffic | Does not change a booked price |
| Waiting at SEA | 30 minutes free from actual landing, then charged |
| Waiting elsewhere | 15 minutes free, then charged |
| Meet and greet | $50, inside baggage claim with a name sign |
| Car seats | $25 infant or toddler seat, $20 booster |
| Pets | $30 in a carrier; service animals free |
| Extra stops and paid parking | Added to your price |
| Hourly bookings | Per hour by vehicle, 25 miles included per hour, extra miles charged |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before transfers, 7 days before hourly and specialty bookings |
| Gratuity | Optional, chosen at checkout |
Distances that set your fare
Starting prices rise with distance. Enter your address on the booking page for your exact price.
SeaTac hotels
5–10 min from SEA
SeaTac airport hotels →Beacon Hill
15–30 min from SEA
SeaTac to Beacon Hill →Seattle
25–45 min from SEA
SeaTac to Seattle →Bellevue
25–40 min from SEA
SeaTac to Bellevue →Renton
12–20 min from SEA
SeaTac to Renton →Kent
15–25 min from SEA
SeaTac to Kent →Federal Way
15–30 min from SEA
SeaTac to Federal Way →Redmond
30–50 min from SEA
SeaTac to Redmond →Tacoma
25–45 min from SEA
SeaTac to Tacoma →Lynnwood
35–55 min from SEA
SeaTac to Lynnwood →Everett
45–70 min from SEA
SeaTac to Everett →Marysville
50–75 min from SEA
SeaTac to Marysville →When each option is cheapest
An honest guide to saving money.
Short hop across town
A metered taxi or rideshare is usually cheapest.
One traveler to downtown, light bags
Link light rail at $3, or a metered taxi.
Family or group with luggage
A booked Mini Van or Passenger Van, priced for the whole vehicle, often beats two taxis.
Early flights and late arrivals
A booked car, so you are not relying on a taxi line or app match.
Suburbs and long trips
A booked car with a set price, so traffic does not raise the fare.
All SeaTac routes →How much is a taxi from SeaTac to downtown Seattle?
A metered taxi for the roughly 14 miles is usually about $40 to $55 before tip, more in heavy traffic. Our pre-booked Economy Sedan starts from $75 with taxes and tolls included, set before you ride.
What are the taxi meter rates in Seattle?
$2.60 to start, $2.70 per mile, and $0.50 per minute when stopped or in slow traffic, under the King County and City of Seattle rule effective October 2024.
What is the minimum taxi fare at SeaTac?
Metered taxis starting at SEA have a $20 minimum fare.
Are tolls and taxes included in your fares?
Yes. Any toll on the route and all taxes are included in your quoted price.
Is a tip included?
No. Gratuity is optional on our rides and chosen at checkout. Metered taxi fares also exclude the tip.
Why is a pre-booked car more than a metered taxi for short trips?
A booked ride reserves a car and driver for your time, includes flight tracking and waiting, and is sized to your group. For a short trip with light bags, a metered taxi is the cheaper choice.
Does your price change with traffic or demand?
No. Your price is set when you book and does not change with traffic or demand. Only extras you add, such as stops or extra waiting, change the total.
More from Seattle Airport Taxi
See your exact fare
Enter your addresses for a set price, taxes and tolls included, in every vehicle class.