King County Metro Schedule: Routes, Maps, Live Times, ORCA Fares, Seattle Stops & Official PDF Viewers
The King County Metro schedule is not one single bus timetable. It is a full Seattle and King County transit system with local bus routes, RapidRide, DART, Metro Flex, Access, Water Taxi connections, Sound Transit transfers, route PDFs, boarding maps, system maps, Next Departures, Trip Planner, ORCA payment and service advisories.
This updated guide gives riders the practical answer first: how to find the correct route, exact stop or bay, live departure, fare, service alert, map PDF and backup tool without scrolling through a thin or generic bus page.
Metro Daily Check Board — Use This Before Walking to Any King County Metro Stop
Seattle-area route toolStart here when you need a bus now. A King County Metro trip can fail because of the wrong route, wrong direction, wrong stop bay, old schedule screenshot, snow route, temporary reroute, fare confusion or missed transfer. This six-step board keeps the trip practical.
Find the route
Use Metro’s Schedules and Maps page or Trip Planner. Search by route number, address, stop, landmark or destination.
Choose service day
Weekday, Saturday, Sunday, holiday, snow and service-change schedules can be different.
Confirm direction
Many transit centers and downtown stops have several bays. The correct street is not always the correct boarding location.
Use live departures
Use Next Departures, Trip Planner, OneBusAway, Transit App or text your stop ID to 62550.
Read advisories
Check delays, reroutes, closures, snow routing and temporary stop changes before leaving.
Prepare fare
Adult Metro fare is $3.00. Youth ride free. Reduced fares, ORCA LIFT, RRFP and day passes may apply.
Need an official trip plan and live departure now?
🧭 Open King County Metro Trip PlannerQuick Answer: How to Use the Metro King County Bus Schedule
Use the official King County Metro Schedules and Maps page to choose a route, the Trip Planner for exact trip planning, Next Departures for stop-level times, and Service Advisories for delays or reroutes. For map planning, use the official system map viewer and the embedded Metro system map PDFs below.
For live times, riders can also use mobile tools listed by Metro, including Text for Departures, OneBusAway and Transit App. For payment, check the official Metro fare page and prepare ORCA, Transit GO Ticket, exact cash, or reduced-fare eligibility before the bus arrives.
Schedules and maps
Best for route lists, route schedules, route maps, system maps, boarding maps and Seattle-area transit maps.
Next Departures
Best for stop-level arrival checks when you know your route, stop ID, station, bay or nearby stop.
Text for Departures
Metro says riders can text a stop ID to 62550 to receive next departure times by mobile text message.
ORCA and Transit GO
Use ORCA for regional payment or Transit GO Ticket for mobile tickets. Exact cash is also listed as a bus payment option.
💡 Fast rider workflow
Route → direction → service day → exact stop or bay → live departure → advisory → fare. This order is safer than starting with an old PDF screenshot or a generic “bus near me” search.
Official King County Metro Tools for Routes, Maps, Stops, Fares and Alerts
These are the most important official sources. Use them for final verification before a commute, school trip, airport transfer, medical appointment, ferry connection, downtown event, winter-weather trip or late-night ride.
Source Verification and What Was Fixed in This Update
Updated August 5, 2026. This article was rebuilt using official King County Metro resources: Schedules and Maps, Trip Planner, Next Departures, Mobile and Web Apps, Metro fare prices, Ways to Pay, Reduced Fares, Service Advisories, snow-route guidance, system map PDFs and rider guidance.
What was improved: the old page had thin tool descriptions, broad internal links, no embedded official PDFs, weaker fare details, no strong stop-ID workflow, no boarding-map explanation and no clean PDF schema. This version adds official PDF viewers, fare tables, snow-alert help, stop/bay checks, live-time tools, transfer guidance, accessibility/bike help and cleaner Yoast-safe schema.
Independent guide notice: BusSchedules.org is not King County Metro. Use this page to understand the route tools faster, but verify exact schedules, maps, fares, stop changes, route alerts and accessibility details with official King County Metro sources before travel.
King County Metro Route Map System: Route Maps, System Maps, Boarding Maps and Seattle Maps
King County Metro does not use one single PDF for every rider situation. The official map page includes route maps, system maps, boarding maps, Seattle maps and a system map viewer. The system maps are organized into five county areas: Northwest, Northeast, Central, Southwest and Southeast.
| Official map tool | Best use | Reader warning |
|---|---|---|
| Route maps | Find the exact path for a route after choosing the route number. | Always check direction and service day before using stop times. |
| System maps | Understand routes, transfer points and transit links across King County areas. | System maps show network layout, not real-time delays. |
| Boarding maps | Find bus bays and boarding areas at stations, park-and-rides and transit centers. | A station can have several bays. Do not guess from the street name alone. |
| Seattle maps | Use frequent-route maps, downtown circulation maps and downtown boarding help. | Downtown Seattle stops can move during construction, events or service changes. |
| Interactive map viewer | Browse the Metro system visually across the region. | Use Trip Planner or Next Departures for the final trip time. |
Need the official route schedule and map selector?
🗺️ Open Schedules and MapsLive Times and Bus Tracker: Trip Planner, Next Departures, Text 62550 and Real-Time Apps
For daily riders, live departure tools are more useful than a saved schedule screenshot. Metro’s official app page points riders to Trip Planner, Next Departures, Text for Departures, Transit GO Ticket, myORCA, OneBusAway and Transit App. It also describes GTFS and GTFS-RT feeds for trip updates, vehicle positions and service alerts.
📲 Best live-time workflow
- Trip Planner: enter start, destination, date and time when you need a complete trip with transfers.
- Next Departures: use this when you already know your stop, route or stop ID.
- Text for Departures: text your stop ID to 62550 from a mobile phone.
- Route-specific text: include a route number after the stop ID when you only want that route’s departures.
- OneBusAway: useful for real-time transit information in King County Metro service areas.
- Transit App: useful for nearby departures and live route planning.
- Service advisories: check them when a bus is missing, late, detoured or boarding at a temporary stop.
⚠️ Schedule vs live arrival
A schedule tells you what is planned. A live tool tells you what is happening now. During rain, snow, bridge traffic, downtown events, ferry delays, rail disruptions or construction, live tools are safer.
King County Metro Fare Guide: ORCA, Transit GO Ticket, Cash, Youth, Reduced Fare and Day Pass
Metro’s fare prices page lists current fare types effective September 1, 2025. Adult riders ages 19 to 64 pay a $3.00 single ride. Seniors age 65+, riders with qualifying disabilities or Medicare, and ORCA LIFT riders are listed at $1.00. Youth ages 0 to 18 ride free, and Metro says youth are encouraged but not required to get a free Youth ORCA card.
| Fare type | Official listed fare | What riders should know |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, 19 to 64 | $3.00 single ride | Use ORCA, Transit GO Ticket, exact cash, or another listed payment method. |
| Senior, 65+ | $1.00 single ride | Requires RRFP eligibility. Apply through official reduced-fare resources. |
| Disability or Medicare | $1.00 single ride | RRFP may apply for qualifying disability or Medicare card holders. |
| Youth, 0 to 18 | Free unlimited rides | Youth ORCA card is encouraged but not required by Metro’s fare page. |
| ORCA LIFT | $1.00 single ride | Income-qualified riders can apply for ORCA LIFT discounted fares. |
| Access Transportation | $1.75 single ride | Eligibility is required for riders who cannot use regular bus service due to disability. |
| Regional day pass | $6 adult / $2 reduced | Loaded on ORCA. It starts with first use and ends at 3 a.m. the next day. |
| E-purse | $5 to $400 stored value | ORCA deducts the correct fare when you tap, and value can supplement passes. |
| Monthly PugetPass | $108 for $3 trip value | Good for frequent riders when loaded to ORCA and used within the pass rules. |
💳 Ways to pay
- ORCA card: common regional payment for bus, rail, streetcar and other participating services.
- Transit GO Ticket: mobile ticket app for bus, rail and Water Taxi tickets.
- Exact cash: Metro says buses accept exact cash fares.
- myORCA: manage ORCA account and card value from the app.
- Reduced Fare Portal: check RRFP, ORCA LIFT and other reduced-fare eligibility.
Need the official fare table before boarding?
💵 Open Metro Fare Prices⚠️ Fare mistake to avoid
Do not assume a regional day pass covers every fare type. Metro says the pass covers listed fare values, and if it does not cover the full fare, you may need E-purse value. On a bus, fare differences cannot be paid with cash.
Stops, Boarding Maps and Stop-ID Checks for Metro Riders
Metro’s rider guide says bus stops are marked by a pole and sign, and the sign lists all bus routes that stop there. When the bus arrives, riders should check the route on the front or side of the bus. This matters because downtown Seattle, transit centers and park-and-rides can have several boarding points close together.
Stop sign check
Stand at a stop sign that lists your route. Do not wait at a nearby stop that serves a different route or direction.
Stop ID check
Use the posted stop ID in Next Departures or text it to 62550 for live departures.
Boarding bay check
At transit centers, stations and park-and-rides, verify the bay before waiting.
Exit check
Watch and listen for your stop, then pull the yellow cord or press the red STOP button.
Need official boarding maps for stations and transit centers?
🚏 Open Boarding MapsRapidRide, Link Light Rail, Water Taxi, Streetcar and Regional Transfers
Many people searching for a King County Metro schedule are planning a multi-part trip. That can include Metro buses, RapidRide, Sound Transit Link light rail, Sounder, Seattle Streetcar, King County Water Taxi, Washington State Ferries, Community Transit, transit centers and park-and-rides.
RapidRide lines
Use RapidRide when your trip follows a major frequent corridor. Confirm the exact line, stop and direction.
Link light rail
Metro trips often connect to Link stations. Add walking time, platform time and ORCA tap steps.
Water Taxi and ferries
System maps show ferry and passenger-only ferry connections. Build extra buffer for water connections.
Park-and-ride planning
Transit centers and park-and-rides can have multiple bays. Confirm bay and route direction before waiting.
💡 Transfer buffer rule
For airport trips, medical visits, ferries, school, court, work shifts or sports events, plan a buffer. A bus can be on time but your transfer can still fail if the bay, stop side or walking route is wrong.
Service Advisories, Holiday Service and Snow Routes
Metro’s service advisories page is the best official place to check delays, reroutes, closures and route-specific disruptions. The snow-route pages explain that during severe winter weather, Metro may operate special snow routing or an Emergency Snow Network for safety.
🌧️ When advisories matter most
- Snow and ice: Metro may use snow routes or the Emergency Snow Network during severe winter weather.
- Downtown Seattle events: parades, protests, games and construction can move stops.
- Bridge and highway disruption: I-5, I-90, SR 520, Aurora, West Seattle Bridge and downtown ramps can affect routes.
- Transit center changes: bay relocations can happen during projects or service changes.
- Holiday service: check the official holiday service page instead of assuming a normal weekday pattern.
- Route not appearing: check whether the trip is running, delayed, rerouted, canceled or not active that service day.
Check current delays, reroutes and closure notices before leaving.
⚠️ Open Metro Service AdvisoriesAccessibility, Bikes, Safety, Lost Items and First-Time Rider Help
Metro’s rider guide says Metro buses are bike-friendly and accessible, and front racks on buses can hold up to three bikes. For seniors, riders with disabilities, caregivers, students and visitors, the safest habit is to confirm route, direction, stop ID, bay, payment and alert before waiting.
Accessibility
Use official accessibility guidance when ramp access, mobility devices, priority seating or communication support matters.
Bikes and transit
Metro buses have front bike racks, but capacity is limited. Tell the driver before loading or unloading.
Lost items
For lost items, record the route, direction, stop, time and bus number if possible before contacting customer service.
Safer riding
Stand near the bus stop sign, keep aisles clear, prepare payment early and check the route sign before boarding.
⚠️ First-time visitor mistake
Do not search only “Seattle metro bus” and board the first nearby bus. Confirm King County Metro route number, direction, stop ID, fare method and final destination.
Official King County Metro PDF Map Viewers Inside This Article
These embedded official PDFs help riders verify system-map details without leaving the page. Because this is an agency-wide article, there is no single route PDF for every trip. Use these system maps for network planning, then use the official route selector for the exact route schedule.
Northwest Area System Map
Useful for North Seattle, Shoreline, Ballard, Fremont, U District, Northgate, transit centers, park-and-rides and regional connections.
Central Area System Map
Useful for Seattle, downtown transfer logic, Vashon/Water Taxi context, Link, Sounder, ferries, RapidRide and major transfer points.
📄 Official Northwest Area System Map PDF
If the PDF does not load on mobile, open the official Northwest system map directly.
📄 Open Northwest Map PDF📄 Official Central Area System Map PDF
Need Seattle and central King County network map details in a new tab?
📄 Open Central Map PDF🗺️ Official interactive system map viewer
⚠️ PDF viewer note
Some mobile browsers block or shrink embedded PDFs. When that happens, use the open-PDF button and return to this guide for the plain-English explanation.
Common King County Metro Schedule Mistakes That Waste Time
Using only a screenshot
Schedules, bays, routes, alerts and snow service can change. Use official live tools before leaving.
Wrong direction
The same stop area can serve opposite directions, different bays or different routes.
Ignoring stop ID
Street names can be vague. Stop ID gives a better live departure result.
Skipping alerts
Detours and closures can make a normal stop inactive or move boarding nearby.
Payment surprise
Prepare ORCA, Transit GO Ticket, exact cash or reduced-fare card before the bus arrives.
No transfer buffer
Link, Sounder, Water Taxi, ferries and park-and-rides need walking and waiting time.
King County Metro Schedule FAQs
Where can I find the official King County Metro bus schedule?
Use King County Metro’s official Schedules and Maps page to search for route schedules, route maps, system maps, boarding maps, service change, holiday service and snow routes.
How do I check live King County Metro bus times?
Use Metro Trip Planner, Next Departures, OneBusAway, Transit App, or text your stop ID to 62550 for next departure information.
Is there one PDF for every King County Metro route?
No. Metro provides individual route schedule tools plus system map PDFs by area. For a specific route timetable, use the official route selector on the Schedules and Maps page.
How much is King County Metro bus fare?
Metro’s fare prices page lists adult single ride fare at $3.00 effective September 1, 2025. Reduced fare categories and youth fare rules may apply.
Do youth ride King County Metro for free?
Metro’s prices page lists youth ages 0 to 18 as free with unlimited rides. Youth are encouraged but not required to get a free Youth ORCA card.
Can I pay cash on King County Metro buses?
Metro’s Ways to Pay page says buses accept exact cash fares. Riders should prepare exact fare because cash payment is slower than ORCA or mobile ticketing.
What is ORCA?
ORCA is the regional transit card used for payment, passes and stored value across participating Puget Sound transit services.
What is Transit GO Ticket?
Transit GO Ticket is a mobile ticket app that lets riders buy bus, rail and Water Taxi tickets from a mobile device.
How do I check King County Metro service alerts?
Use Metro’s official Service Advisories page and filter by route number to check delays, reroutes, closures or upcoming changes.
Does King County Metro have snow routes?
Yes. Metro publishes snow-route and winter travel guidance. During severe winter weather, Metro may activate snow routing or Emergency Snow Network service.
Can I bring a bike on Metro?
Metro says buses are bike-friendly and front racks can hold up to three bikes. Riders should follow the official bike-loading instructions and tell the driver before loading or unloading.
What should I do if my stop is temporarily closed?
Check Service Advisories, the route page, stop signs and nearby temporary stop notices. Use Next Departures again after moving to the temporary stop.
Is BusSchedules.org the official King County Metro website?
No. BusSchedules.org is an independent rider-help guide. Always verify exact schedules, maps, fares, alerts, accessibility details and route changes with King County Metro before traveling.
Final Rider Summary: The Smart Way to Use King County Metro Schedules
The smartest way to use the King County Metro schedule is to combine three official checks: route schedule, live departure and service advisory. Start with Schedules and Maps or Trip Planner, confirm your exact route and direction, then use Next Departures, stop-ID texting, OneBusAway or Transit App before walking to the stop.
For fares, check the official prices page and prepare ORCA, Transit GO Ticket, exact cash or a reduced-fare card. For maps, use the embedded official system PDFs and the official map viewer, then use route-specific schedule tools for the final boarding decision.
Official Metro Schedules and Maps · Metro Trip Planner · Metro Fare Prices · Service Advisories