Seattle Bus Schedule Finder for Routes, Maps, Stops, Live Times, ORCA Fare, RapidRide, Snow Routes & Airport Connections
The Seattle bus schedule is not one single PDF. Most Seattle city bus service is planned through King County Metro, with important regional connections from Sound Transit, Seattle Streetcar, Link light rail, Sounder, ferries, airport routes, RapidRide and other Puget Sound transit partners.
This guide is built like a practical rider dashboard: find the right agency, search the route, check live departures, open the map, confirm your fare, read service advisories, handle snow routes and avoid the wrong-stop mistakes that make Seattle bus trips stressful.
Quick Answer: Where to Find the Seattle Bus Schedule Today
city-wide rider toolFor most Seattle bus routes, use King County Metro’s official Schedules and Maps page first. It gives route schedules, route maps, RapidRide lines, DART routes, school routes, service changes, holiday service, snow routes, system maps and boarding maps.
For a live “when is my bus coming?” answer, use the official Metro Trip Planner or Next Departures. For regional Seattle trips involving Link light rail, Sounder commuter rail or ST Express buses, use Sound Transit schedules and maps in addition to Metro.
Identify the operator
Most Seattle city buses are King County Metro. Regional rail and many express routes are Sound Transit.
Search the route
Use the route number or RapidRide letter, then choose the correct direction and service day.
Check live departure
Use Metro Trip Planner, Next Departures or OneBusAway-style real-time tools before walking to the stop.
Confirm stop side
Seattle stops can be across the street, around the corner or at a transit center bay. Match the stop ID.
Pay correctly
Use ORCA, tap to pay, Transit GO Ticket or exact cash where accepted. Transfers work best with ORCA.
Check alerts
Snow, games, bridge delays, construction, parades and reroutes can change the best Seattle bus choice.
Need a route schedule, map, service change or snow route from the official Metro page?
🚌 Open King County Metro Schedules & MapsOfficial Seattle Bus Schedule Tools for Routes, Stops, Maps, Alerts and Trip Planning
A Seattle bus search can point to Metro, Sound Transit, a RapidRide line, a streetcar, a ferry connection, a water taxi or an airport transfer. These are the official tools to use before trusting any static timetable screenshot.
Source Verification and What This Page Covers
Updated July 30, 2026. This article uses official King County Metro and Sound Transit rider pages. The key official pages checked include Metro schedules/maps, trip planner, service advisories, fares/prices, ways to pay, snow routes, Night Owl service, accessibility, mobile/web apps and Sound Transit schedules/maps.
Important trust note: BusSchedules.org is an independent rider-help guide, not King County Metro or Sound Transit. Use this page to understand the Seattle transit workflow quickly, but verify exact departures, stop closures, fare rules and service alerts through official transit tools before a time-sensitive trip.
Seattle Bus Schedule Finder: Choose the Right Agency First
The biggest mistake is searching “Seattle bus schedule” and opening the first time shown without checking the operator. Seattle-area trips can involve King County Metro, Sound Transit, Community Transit, Seattle Streetcar, Monorail, Washington State Ferries or airport-related services.
King County Metro
Use for most Seattle city buses, RapidRide lines, local routes, DART, Metro Flex, Night Owl, Trailhead Direct, service advisories and snow routes.
Sound Transit
Use for Link light rail, Sounder commuter rail, ST Express routes and regional trips between Seattle, Everett, Bellevue, Redmond, Tacoma, Issaquah and SeaTac.
ORCA / payment
Use ORCA, tap to pay, Transit GO Ticket or exact cash where accepted. ORCA is the safest choice for transfers across many regional services.
Real-time tools
Use Metro Trip Planner, Next Departures, OneBusAway or official agency tools for real-time bus arrivals and live vehicle positions.
⚠️ Route-number warning
A route number alone is not enough. “10 bus,” “7 bus,” “545 bus” or “554 bus” can mean different things in different cities or agencies. Always match city, operator, route label, direction and stop ID.
Popular Seattle Bus Route Groups: RapidRide, Downtown Routes, Airport Links and Regional Express
Seattle bus searches are usually practical. Riders want downtown service, a RapidRide line, a University District trip, an airport connection, a sports-event trip, a hospital appointment, a snow-safe route, or a regional express connection.
| Rider need | Common Seattle-area services to check | Best official tool | Important rider warning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent bus corridors | RapidRide A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H lines, plus frequent Metro routes. | Metro Schedules & Maps and RapidRide pages. | RapidRide stops can be different from nearby local stops. |
| Downtown Seattle | Routes serving 3rd Avenue, 2nd/4th Avenue boarding areas, Pike/Pine, Belltown, South Lake Union and Seattle Center. | Metro boarding maps and Next Departures. | Downtown stop-side and bay changes are common during events or construction. |
| Airport trips | Metro routes to Link stations, Sound Transit Link light rail and airport-area bus routes. | Sound Transit schedules/maps plus Metro Trip Planner. | Build extra time for luggage, platform walking and service alerts. |
| Eastside / Redmond / Bellevue | Sound Transit express routes, Link connections, Metro Eastside routes and RapidRide B Line. | Sound Transit schedules and Metro route pages. | Peak commute patterns and bridge traffic can change travel time. |
| West Seattle / Delridge | RapidRide C and H, local Metro routes and water taxi connections where useful. | Metro schedules, maps and service advisories. | Bridge, game-day and construction detours can affect stops. |
| Late-night travel | Metro Night Owl routes and Sound Transit late service where available. | Night Owl page and current route schedule. | Late-night headways are wider; check live arrivals before walking out. |
Seattle Bus Live Times: How to Check Next Departures Without Guessing
For Seattle buses, live time matters more than a screenshot. A bus can be delayed by traffic, weather, road work, ferry traffic, sports events, parades, bridge congestion, detours or operator availability. Use live tools before walking to the stop.
Start with route or place
Search by route number, RapidRide letter, stop name, address, transit center, station or landmark.
Pick direction
Choose the destination direction. Northbound, southbound, downtown-bound and outbound stops may be nearby but different.
Select exact stop
Use the posted stop ID or exact stop name. “3rd Ave” or “University District” is too broad.
Read alerts
If the tracker looks odd, check service advisories, snow routes, event reroutes and stop closures before waiting.
Want to plan a Seattle trip or check next departures with the official Metro tool?
⏱️ Open Metro Trip Planner💡 Best live-time habit
Check live arrivals twice: once before leaving home and once when you are close to the stop. Seattle traffic can change quickly, especially around downtown, bridges, stadiums, hospitals and construction zones.
Seattle Bus Stops and Map: How to Avoid Waiting at the Wrong Side
Seattle bus stops are often close together, but not always interchangeable. Downtown avenues, transit centers, Link stations, hospital campuses, ferry terminals, stadium areas and hills can make stop selection confusing for first-time riders and seniors.
Use the stop ID
The stop ID is safer than the street name. It helps you match the exact bus stop, side of street, route direction and live departure result.
Check street side
Inbound and outbound stops can be across the street, one block away or at a different transit center bay.
Use boarding maps downtown
Metro boarding maps help with dense stop areas such as 2nd Avenue, 3rd Avenue, 4th Avenue, transit centers and Link station connections.
Check snow or detour stop
During snow, construction or emergency service, your regular stop may be skipped, moved or served by a different stop pattern.
Need official route maps, system maps and boarding maps?
🗺️ Open Metro Schedules & Maps⚠️ Map viewer note
The embedded map is useful for route discovery. Always verify final stop, direction, route status and live time in the official route schedule or Next Departures tool.
Seattle Bus Fare and ORCA: Adult, Senior, Youth, ORCA LIFT, Tap to Pay and Day Pass
King County Metro’s fare page shows adult fares effective September 1, 2025. For Metro buses, the adult single ride is $3.00. Seniors 65+ with a Regional Reduced Fare Permit, qualifying riders with disabilities or Medicare, and ORCA LIFT riders are listed at $1.00. Youth ages 0–18 ride free.
| Rider type or pass | Official Metro price shown | Practical rider note |
|---|---|---|
| Adult fare, ages 19–64 | $3.00 single ride | Use ORCA, tap to pay, Transit GO Ticket or exact cash where accepted. |
| Senior fare, age 65+ | $1.00 with RRFP | Apply for a Regional Reduced Fare Permit before expecting the reduced fare. |
| Disability or Medicare fare | $1.00 with RRFP | Eligibility and permit rules matter; check official Metro/ORCA pages. |
| Youth, ages 0–18 | Free | Youth are encouraged, but not required, to get a free Youth ORCA card. |
| ORCA LIFT | $1.00 single ride | Income-qualified riders should verify eligibility and application steps. |
| Regional day pass | $6.00/day for adult fares up to $3; $2/day for reduced fares up to $1 | Useful for multiple rides, but check what services are excluded. |
| Monthly PugetPass | $108 for $3.00 trip value | Best for frequent riders; E-purse can cover fare differences above pass value. |
💳 Ways to pay on Seattle buses
- ORCA card: easiest regional payment method for buses and trains.
- Tap to pay: riders ages 19+ can use a credit/debit card, smartphone or smartwatch where supported.
- Transit GO Ticket: mobile ticket option for Metro and other participating services.
- Exact cash: buses accept exact cash fares, but cash is weaker for regional transfers.
- ORCA transfer: the fare paid with your first tap can transfer for up to two hours on other ORCA transit services, with exceptions.
Need current official fare, ORCA and reduced-fare rules?
💳 Open Metro Fare Prices⚠️ Transfer mistake
Use the same ORCA card or same tap-to-pay method for your trip. Switching between phone, watch, card, app ticket and cash can break transfer logic or create extra costs.
Seattle Service Alerts: Delays, Reroutes, Closures, Events and Transit Alert Signup
King County Metro service advisories are the official place to check delays, reroutes and closures. This matters in Seattle because a route can be operating while your exact stop is temporarily closed or your bus is using a detour.
Construction and detours
Downtown, bridge, station and street projects can move stops or change boarding areas.
Games and events
Stadium events, concerts, parades and festivals can affect downtown routes and transfer timing.
Weather events
Snow, ice, wind and flooding can trigger reroutes, Emergency Snow Network operations or cancellations.
Transit alerts
Metro says Transit Alerts generally go out Monday to Friday, 5 AM to 8 PM; significant weekend/holiday and emergency alerts may be sent as needed.
Need official delay, reroute or closure information?
⚠️ Open Metro Service AdvisoriesSeattle Snow Routes: What to Check During Winter Weather
Metro may activate special snow routing or an Emergency Snow Network during severe winter weather. The official snow-route page says ESN is a reduced network designed to serve the most riders in the safest way possible, focusing on main roadways that are plowed and de-iced and avoiding steep hills.
- Do not assume your regular stop works: snow routes can skip hills, side streets or smaller stops.
- Check your route number: some routes follow snow routing, some operate on ESN, and some can be canceled during severe conditions.
- Use alerts: Metro points riders to service advisories and transit alerts during adverse conditions.
- Walk carefully: choose safer sidewalks, allow more time and avoid last-minute transfers.
- Use main corridors: ESN focuses on safer main roads; neighborhood coverage may be reduced.
Is your Seattle bus using a snow route or Emergency Snow Network plan?
🌨️ Open Metro Snow Routes⚠️ Snow-day rule
During snow or ice, do not trust your normal stop memory. Confirm the route status, stop status and live arrival before leaving, especially at night or on hills.
Seattle Night Owl Bus Service: Late-Night and Early-Morning Planning
Metro says Night Owl service runs between midnight and 5 AM every day and serves downtown Seattle and many neighborhoods, with service also reaching places such as Sea-Tac Airport, Auburn, Burien, Federal Way, Kent, Tukwila and Shoreline.
Metro also describes Night Stop service, where riders may ask the driver to let them off at a safe point along the route even if it is not a regular Metro stop. This is designed for added convenience and security during late-night hours.
💡 Late-night rider checklist
Check the exact route, direction, stop, live time and alerts before leaving. Late-night headways are wider, sidewalks may be quieter, and a missed bus can create a long wait.
Need official late-night Seattle bus rules and Night Owl route help?
🌙 Open Metro Night OwlAccessibility and Senior Rider Help for Seattle Buses
Metro provides accessible service across its bus system. For seniors, wheelchair users, riders with mobility devices, DeafBlind riders, caregivers and first-time riders, the safest routine is to check the route and stop before leaving, board where the driver can see you and ask for help when needed.
- Plan first: use the official schedule and live departure tool before leaving home.
- Use the exact stop: share stop ID, route, direction and destination with a caregiver or family member.
- Board visibly: wait at the bus stop sign or boarding area where the operator can see you.
- Ask for assistance: request ramp, kneeling bus or securement help when needed.
- Use larger text: tap the Large Text button at the top of this page for easier reading.
- Plan transfers carefully: add walking time at Link stations, transit centers, ferry terminals and downtown stops.
Need official Metro accessibility information?
♿ Open Metro Accessible ServicesSeattle Airport, Rail and Regional Connections: Bus + Link + Sound Transit
Many Seattle bus trips are not bus-only. A rider may use Metro to reach Link light rail, Sounder, a ferry, Seattle Center, downtown offices, a hospital, a college, a park-and-ride or the airport. For regional trips, Sound Transit schedules and maps should be checked alongside Metro.
Sea-Tac Airport
Use Metro for local bus connections and Sound Transit Link for rail access. Add walking time for luggage, platforms and airport security.
Link light rail
Many Seattle bus routes connect to Link stations. Confirm bus arrival plus train departure before a timed trip.
Sounder and ST Express
Use Sound Transit schedules for regional express bus and commuter rail trips outside a simple Seattle local bus ride.
Ferry and water taxi
Downtown Seattle trips may connect with ferries or water taxi service. Check both transit and marine schedules.
Need current regional rail, ST Express and service map details?
🚆 Open Sound Transit Schedules & MapsHow to Ride Metro: Official Video Help for First-Time Seattle Bus Riders
King County Metro links an official “How to ride Metro” instructional video from its rider tools page. It is useful for first-time riders who want a visual explanation before boarding a Seattle bus.
⚠️ Video schema note
This article embeds the helpful video, but it does not add VideoObject schema because upload date and full video metadata were not verified inside this update.
Official PDF and Map Viewer: Sound Transit Service Map + Metro System Map
Seattle bus riders often need regional context, not only one local stop. The Metro system map viewer helps with city and county bus geography. The official Sound Transit service map PDF helps with Link, Sounder and ST Express connections.
Metro System Map Viewer
Use this for official King County Metro network geography, route discovery and nearby route planning.
Sound Transit Service Map PDF
Use this for Link light rail, Sounder, ST Express and regional connection context around Seattle.
🗺️ Official Metro system map viewer
📄 Official Sound Transit service map PDF
If the PDF viewer does not load on mobile, open the official Sound Transit map directly.
📄 Open Sound Transit Map PDFCommon Seattle Bus Schedule Mistakes That Cause Missed Trips
Using only Google snippets
Search results are good for discovery. Final travel decisions should come from Metro, Sound Transit or the actual operator.
Wrong stop side
Seattle stops can be one-way, split by avenue or assigned to specific transit center bays.
Skipping alerts
Detours, closures, games, snow and bridge delays can make a printed schedule unreliable.
Confusing Metro and Sound Transit
Metro buses, ST Express, Link and Sounder have different pages and sometimes different fare details.
Cash transfer problem
ORCA handles regional transfers better than cash. Cash can create separate fare problems between systems.
Ignoring snow routes
Your normal stop may not be served during snow or Emergency Snow Network operations.
Seattle Bus Schedule FAQs
Where can I find the official Seattle bus schedule?
Use King County Metro’s official Schedules and Maps page for most Seattle bus routes. Use Sound Transit schedules and maps for Link light rail, Sounder and ST Express regional services.
What agency runs most Seattle buses?
Most local Seattle bus service is operated by King County Metro. Regional services such as Link light rail, Sounder and many ST Express routes are operated by Sound Transit.
How do I check live Seattle bus times?
Use Metro Trip Planner, Next Departures, OneBusAway or official transit tools. Search by route, direction and exact stop ID for the most useful live result.
How much is a King County Metro bus ride?
Metro’s official fare page lists adult single rides at $3.00, senior/RRFP at $1.00, qualifying disability/Medicare RRFP at $1.00, ORCA LIFT at $1.00 and youth ages 0–18 as free.
Can I pay with ORCA on Seattle buses?
Yes. ORCA is the easiest regional payment method. Riders can also use tap to pay, Transit GO Ticket or exact cash where accepted.
Do Seattle buses accept cash?
Metro says buses accept exact cash fares. Cash is less flexible for regional transfers, so ORCA is usually the safer option for connected trips.
What is RapidRide in Seattle?
RapidRide is King County Metro’s lettered bus network. Current official RapidRide pages list lines such as A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H, with more planned lines in future years.
Do Seattle buses run at night?
Metro Night Owl service runs between midnight and 5 AM every day on selected routes serving downtown Seattle and many neighborhoods. Always check the route page before late-night travel.
What happens to Seattle buses during snow?
Metro may use snow routes or activate the Emergency Snow Network, a reduced network focused on safer main roads. Your regular stop may not be served during severe weather.
Can I use Seattle buses to reach Sea-Tac Airport?
Yes, many riders combine Metro buses with Sound Transit Link light rail or airport-area bus routes. Use Metro Trip Planner and Sound Transit schedules together before airport travel.
Why does my Seattle bus not match the printed time?
Printed schedules are planned times. Real conditions such as traffic, weather, road work, events, bridge delays and reroutes can change arrival times. Use live departures before leaving.
Is BusSchedules.org the official Seattle transit operator?
No. BusSchedules.org is an independent guide. Always verify exact schedules, fares, stop closures, snow routes and service alerts directly with King County Metro, Sound Transit or the relevant operator.
Final Rider Summary: Best Way to Use the Seattle Bus Schedule
The best way to use the Seattle bus schedule is to start with the official King County Metro Schedules and Maps page, choose your route or RapidRide line, confirm direction and stop ID, then check live departures before walking to the stop. For regional trips, use Sound Transit schedules and maps as well.
For daily trips, save the official Metro schedule page, Trip Planner, service advisories, fare page and snow routes. Use ORCA or a consistent payment method for smoother transfers, and check alerts before work, airport trips, medical appointments, school, court, games or late-night travel.
Official Metro schedules and maps · Metro Trip Planner · Sound Transit schedules and maps