City in Washington, United States
Seattle
Waterfront city of coffee, tech, ferries and mountains, with Pike Place and easy trips to Mount Rainier and the San Juans. Dry, bright summers and grey winters; rent is high and downtown has visible street problems.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$4,600–6,600Comfortable, one person · $4,600–6,600Details
- Value for money2/100Better value than 1% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJun–SepWarmest: Aug, 24°CDetails
- Air quality6.1 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2022) · Fairly cleanDetails
- Internet307 MbpsFixed broadband, United States medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water comes from Cedar River and Tolt watersheds and is excellent; refill stations are common.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$170–350Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and phone pay work almost everywhere; a few cafés and shops are card-only, so keep a card handy.Details
Where to stay in Seattle
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Capitol Hill | Nightlife, cafés, LGBTQ+ scene and light rail |
| Downtown / Belltown | Pike Place, waterfront and transit access |
| Queen Anne | Views, quiet streets and the Seattle Center |
| Fremont / Ballard | Breweries, cafés and a village feel |
| South Lake Union | Tech campuses, new apartments and coworking |
Apps that work in Seattle
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: iMessage/SMS
- Transit: real-time public transport in most cities
- OpenTable: restaurant reservations
- Taxis: Taxis exist and use meters; rideshare is usually cheaper. Waymo is testing in Seattle but not yet open to the public.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in United States.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and phone pay work almost everywhere; a few cafés and shops are card-only, so keep a card handy.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs charge foreign cards about US$3–5; standalone ATMs in shops often more. Decline the ATM's currency conversion.
- Tipping: Expected: 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, 15–20% for taxis and rideshare, US$1–2 per bar drink, US$2–5 per night for hotel housekeeping.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted. Venmo, Cash App and Zelle generally need a US bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Visa Waiver travellers need an approved ESTA (US$40) before departure; apply only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov, ideally 72+ hours ahead.
- CBP has proposed making five years of social-media identifiers mandatory on ESTA; check the form's current questions and answer truthfully.
- Presidential proclamations since June 2025 restrict entry for nationals of a growing list of countries; check travel.state.gov before booking.
Emergency numbers
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911
Plugs
Type A, B · 120 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs at carrier stores, Walmart and Target, roughly US$25–50 for 30 days; no ID usually needed. A travel eSIM is easiest. eSIMs work for visitors.
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Going to Seattle solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Seattle meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Sound Transit (Link light rail)
- King County Metro
- Seattle–Tacoma International Airport
- Washington State Ferries
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.