Where to stay before a Seattle cruise, and how to get from the hotel to your ship. From a SeaTac chauffeur company that drives both terminals.
Most cruise passengers stay one night in Seattle before they board. That is smart: a late flight cannot make you miss the ship. But Seattle has two cruise terminals, and they are in different places. The right hotel depends on which terminal your ship uses.
First, check your terminal. Your cruise line prints it on your boarding documents. Pier 66 (Bell Street Cruise Terminal) is on the downtown waterfront. Pier 91 (Smith Cove Cruise Terminal) is in Magnolia, about 10–15 minutes north of downtown by car. Some ships switch terminals on some dates, so always check. See Pier 66 vs Pier 91.
Pier 66 is the only Seattle terminal you can walk to from a hotel. Two hotels sit right next to it:
Many Belltown and Pike Place Market hotels are within about half a mile. That is a short walk without bags, but rolling two large suitcases downhill and across Alaskan Way is harder. Most of our guests at these hotels take a short ride to the terminal door.
There are no hotels within easy walking distance of Pier 91. The area around the terminal is industrial port land. The closest hotels are in Lower Queen Anne, near the Space Needle and Seattle Center, about 1.5 miles away. Downtown and Belltown hotels are about 10–15 minutes away by car.
So for Pier 91, every guest needs a ride: a hotel shuttle, a taxi or a private car.
A few downtown and Queen Anne hotels run their own cruise shuttle on sailing days. For example, the Mayflower Park Hotel downtown lists a shuttle to the cruise terminals for $15 per guest in the 2026 season. Some Queen Anne hotels, such as the Mediterranean Inn, have also offered a paid shuttle.
Hotel cruise shuttles are useful, but know how they work before you count on one:
Some cruise passengers stay near SeaTac Airport instead of downtown, because rooms often cost less and it is close to the flight. From the airport hotels on International Boulevard, there are shared shuttles to Pier 66 and Pier 91 at set morning times, with stops at other hotels on the way.
The drive from SeaTac to Pier 91 is about 30–40 minutes without traffic. If you stay near the airport, leave plenty of time on sailing morning.
A private car picks up only your group, at the time you choose, and drives straight to your terminal. There is no fixed schedule, no stops at other hotels and no per-person fare. You pay one flat price for the whole vehicle, and your chauffeur loads every bag.
Our flat rate from SeaTac Airport to downtown Seattle, Pier 66 or Pier 91 is $110 for a sedan (up to 3), $145 for an SUV (up to 5), $220 for an 8-passenger van and $275 for a 14-passenger Sprinter. Tolls, tax and tip are included. For a hotel-to-pier ride, you see your exact price online before you book.
Our tip: book two rides at once: SeaTac Airport to your hotel the day before, and hotel to the pier on sailing morning. After your cruise, book the pier to SeaTac ride too, so your chauffeur is waiting when you walk off the ship.
What is the closest hotel to Pier 66? The Seattle Marriott Waterfront, across the street. The Edgewater is a few minutes' walk.
What is the closest hotel to Pier 91? No hotel is within walking distance. The closest are in Lower Queen Anne, about 1.5 miles away.
Do I need a shuttle from my hotel to the cruise port? For Pier 91, yes, or a taxi or private car. For Pier 66, only if your hotel is more than a few blocks away or you have heavy bags.
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