Tap, Ride, Explore: Getting Around Seattle Just Got Way Easier
Good news for visitors: Seattle-area transit is officially joining the tap-and-go era!
You can now hop on light rail and many buses without buying a paper ticket, hunting down a
special “ORCA” card or even downloading a transit app. Instead, just tap your credit card or
smartphone and you’re on your way. Easy, breezy, Seattle-style.
Finally, after a long wait, Seattle transit agencies are rolling out Tap to Pay, which will allow
riders to pay fares using:
Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express)
Mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay
Cash is still accepted if that’s easier.
Each ride costs $3 one way.
This upgrade is a huge win for tourists who don’t want to fuss with transit cards or apps during
a short visit.
Just land at the airport, tap your phone, and start exploring the city like a pro. With the FIFA
Men’s World Cup coming to Seattle this summer, the timing couldn’t be better.
Since this is new, it’s being rolled out in stages. But by the end of February, Tap to Pay will
expand across most of the regional transit system, including:
Sound Transit
King County Metro
Community Transit
Everett Transit
Kitsap Transit
Pierce Transit
For now though, Tap to Pay won’t work on Washington State Ferries or the world famous
Seattle Monorail. I’m waiting for those to join the Tap to Pay system later this summer.
Whether you’re riding light rail from the airport, hopping a bus to Pike Place Market, or
connecting to one of our guided tours, getting around Seattle has never been simpler.
So charge your phone, grab your sense of adventure, and tap your way through the Emerald
City.
