This Transportation Guide is designed to help you successfully plan your travel and parking for events at Qwest Field and Qwest Field Event Center.

To enhance your match day experience, the Sounders FC and Qwest Field have teamed with Sound Transit to provide quick and convenient bus service from locations throughout the region. Please be aware that street parking in the vicinity of the stadium is restricted and enforced on event days. For further information during the season, call the Sounders FC Ticket Office at (877) 657-4625.

Buses | Trains | Automobiles | Ferries | Taxis | Traffic Alerts

Click here to download a printable version of the transportation map (PDF)

800 Occidental Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98134

Directions to Qwest Field

• From I-5 North and South, and the Alaskan Way Viaduct, there are exits at James Street, 4th Avenue, and Airport Way that will place visitors close to the stadium.
• From I-90, follow the signs to 4th Avenue. For Union Station Parking Garage, turn left onto 4th Ave and look for Union Station on your right, approximately one block later. For the Qwest Field North Lot turn left onto 4th Ave, then left on Jackson, and left on 2nd Ave to the North Lot entry. For the Qwest Field Event Center Parking Garage, turn right onto 4th Ave and right onto Royal Brougham Way. If the I-90 4th Ave exit is congested, use alternate routes such as I-5 North and the James Street exit.
• From SR 520, take I-5 South, then take either the James Street, 4th Avenue, or Airport Way exits to place you in proximity to the stadium.

More Information
For more transportation information checkout one of the following sources:

• Call the Sounders FC Ticket Office at (877) 657-4625
• Tune into the 710am pre-game radio show for live traffic updates.
• Receive the Sounders FC Gameday Email to get all the information you need before arriving at Qwest Field. Exclusively for season ticket holders, this newsletter is sent 2 days prior to every home game.
• Visit the Washington State DOT website for up to the minute traffic and construction

Automobiles

Parking
Parking around Qwest Field and Event Center is very limited, particularly in the International District and Pioneer Square where many lots are reserved for regular customers and local residents.

The parking lots surrounding Qwest Field are managed by International Parking Management (IPM) will open three hours prior to event start times. These are the North Lot, Qwest Field Event Center Garage and Union Station Garage. The North Lot and Qwest Field Event Center Garage are sold out for 2009 on a season basis. There will be no day-of-match sales for these lots and ONLY pass-holders will be permitted access to these parking lots and access points. Union Station Garage will have limited day-of-match parking.

Additionally, majority of the spaces in the Safeco Field Garage are available for day-of-match parking. Metered parking is available under the Alaskan Way viaduct in Pioneer Square.

Private day-of-match lots include: WOSCO Lot at Railroad Way and Royal Brougham, 1st Ave. S. & Atlantic St. (north and south sides), 1st Ave. S. & S. Holgate St., and in the International District – 5th Ave. S. & S. Jackson and 6th Ave. S. & S. King.

RV and Charter Bus Parking
Primary RV and Charter Bus parking is located in the Qwest Field North Lot. Access is via the main lot entrance at King Street & Main Street.

There will be no day-of-game sales for RV parking in the North Lot

Overflow RV parking is located on Occidental Avenue near the Safeco Field parking garage during non-Mariners game days. For directions and operations information, call the Sounders FC parking partner, International Parking Management at (206) 254-0811.

Disabled Parking
Two adjacent lots to Qwest Field, the North Lot and Qwest Field Event Center Garage, are sold out on a season basis. Limited disabled parking in the North Lot may be available on day of match and will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. The Union Station garage is available for season and day of match parking. The elevator at 4th Ave. & Weller Street Overpass will enable you to reach the stadium’s North Lot from Union Station and avoid stairways. A state-issued, disabled placard is required for disabled parking access.

ADA Passenger Drop-Off Zone
The passenger and disabled drop-off zone is located off the intersection of Railroad Way S. at Occidental Ave.(across from the Qwest Field Pro Shop), which can be accessed from 1st Avenue. Drivers may drop off their passengers adjacent to the stadium prior to parking until kickoff. Similar access will be provided after every major event.

Traffic Routing
The passenger and disabled drop-off zone is located off the intersection of Railroad Way S. at Occidental Ave.(across from the Qwest Field Pro Shop), which can be accessed from 1st Avenue. Drivers may drop off their passengers adjacent to the stadium prior to parking until kickoff. Similar access will be provided after every major event.

Auto Trouble

AAA provides roadside assistance after Sounders FC matches in the North Lot, Qwest Center garage and Union Station garage. Limited service is available, including lockout rescue, flat tire service and jump-starts.

For non-Sounders events, please see the parking attendant to arrange for assistance.

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Buses

Sound Transit ST Express Buses
Sound Transit bus service offers transportation from areas throughout Pierce, King and Snohomish counties with service every 30 minutes and stops within 3 blocks of Qwest Field. For a route nearest you, visit Sound Transits ST Express Buses. 

Metro Transit Service
Over ten Metro Transit routes pass within 3 blocks of the site and operate at least every 30 minutes, including weekends. Regularly posted fares will apply. For rider information, visit Metro’s Trip Planner or call (206) 553-3000. TTY-TDD users should call (206) 684-1739.

Charter Buses
Charter buses to Sounders FC matches operate from many areas throughout the Pacific Northwest. If you would like arrange charter bus transportation, please contact Meridian Transportation Resources at (206) 838-8125 or michah@mtrwestern.com.

Primary charter bus parking is located in the Qwest Field North Lot. Access is via the main lot entrance at King Street & Main Street. Space is limited and will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Charter Bus parking will only be sold on a day-of-match basis.

Overflow Charter bus parking is located on Occidental Avenue near the Safeco Field parking garage during non-Mariners game days. For directions and operations information, call the Sounders FC parking partner, International Parking Management at (206) 254-0811.

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Ferries

Washington State Ferries
Washington State Ferry service operates on a regular schedule. Bainbridge Island and Bremerton ferries (passenger and vehicle) will arrive and depart from the Colman Dock on Pier 52 at the foot of Marion St. (801 Alaskan Way). Pier 52 is an easy walk to or from the stadium through historic Pioneer Square. Southworth and Vashon ferries make the trip to the Fauntleroy Terminal in West Seattle, where the #54 bus can be taken to the Stadium or International District. For more information, other ferry options and schedules, please contact the Washington State Ferries at (automated) (800) 843-3779, (personal assistance) (888) 808-7977 or visit their website.

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Trains

Amtrak Cascades
Getting to Qwest Field and Qwest Field Event Center via Amtrak Cascades is a great option for fans from Portland or Southwest Washington as well as from Bellingham and other points North - but be sure to book your tickets early as trains heading to and from games fill up fast!

For information on fares, schedules and online reservations, visit Amtrak Cascades website or call (800) USA-RAIL.

Railroad Crossings
There is heavy train traffic surrounding South Downtown and Qwest Field and Event Center. Please cross railroad tracks only at public streets and marked pedestrian crosswalks. Be alert: stop, look and listen for trains.

Link Light Rail Service
Construction is nearly complete on the new Link light rail line. The light rail line will open in the summer of 2009 with service from Seatac Airport to Westlake Station. One of the stops will be Stadium Station, located near Royal Brougham and Bus Way. For more information on this project, visit soundtransit.org.

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Taxi Service

Taxicabs are available at the Northwest corner of 1st Avenue and Royal Brougham after Sounders FC matches. Additionally, taxi cabs are available at the King Street Station. The following companies can assist with your transportation needs in the greater Seattle area:

• Graytop Taxi - 206-622-4800
• Yellow Cab - 206-622-6500
• Carey Limousine - 206-762-3517
  

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Traffic Alerts

Major construction projects will be underway this summer that could impact your travel to Sounders FC matches. To help get you to Qwest Field quickly and safely, please plan your routes accordingly.

For more information on the 2009 construction season, including projects on I-5 and SR519, click here.

For up to the minute traffic alerts from WSDOT, please click here.

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