đ How to Ride the Seattle Link Light Rail
Using Seattleâs light rail is easyâas long as you have a ticket. Thatâs the golden rule. Everything else is just froth.
đïž Step 1: Pay Up
Head to the Sound Transit website and youâll find the âHow to Payâ section. It pushes the ORCA card harder than a used car salesman pushing edibles. But if youâre just visiting and donât want the cosmic hassle of owning yet another piece of plastic, the simplest way is:
- Go to a ticket machine.
- Buy a round-trip (return) ticket – This is your Day Pass
- Done.
As the site says:
âDay passes are twice the one-way fare and are valid for travel only on the date purchased.â
Step 2: Tap In
If you do go the ORCA route, donât forget to tap in. The tap-in machines are often located approximately 10 miles from the platform, often in a different time zone. Keep your eyes peeled before entering the stationâor the state.
đșïž Step 3: Know Your Lines
There are two lines, that never meet, except in the eternal ânext year.â
Line 1: The Seattle Spine
- Northbound: Lynnwood
- Southbound: Angle Lake (Yes, Angle. Not Angel. Think geometry, not divinity.)
If you end up at Angle Lake, youâll make a 180-degree turn (geometry) and head back. If you miss your train there, youâll be praying to angels (divinity).
Line 2: The East Side Expedition
- Redmond: More east.
- Bellevue: More posh.
If youâre on the East Side, you probably already know where youâre going. If not, just follow the scent of new buildings and trendy apartments.
đș The Light Rail Beer Crawl Survival Guide
đŠ Step 1: Check the Opening Times!
Before you embark on your noble quest, verify that your chosen beer oases are actually open. Nothing crushes the soul like arriving in Mountlake Terrace on a Monday only to find the doors shuttered and the taps dry. Plan ahead. Opening hours are fickle.
đ§ Step 2: Hydrate or Regret It
Water is your best friend. Bring your own, beg for it, or hunt down the communal jug (just make sure itâs not reserved for the pooches). Whether youâre sipping saisons or downing double IPAs, HâO yourself liberally.
đ Step 3: Let the Train Take the Strain
Do not drink and drive. Luckily you have a designated driver. They’re the ones at the font of the train wearing a uniform. Don’t assume that you can spend the day making your way from Lynwood to the civilization of Columbia City, stopping off along the way at Mountlake Terrace, then down to U District, and then back up to Roosevelt, because 3Rs Brewery is now open, then on to Columbia City. Yes, do not expect that you’ll be sober by the time you get back to Lynwood, as the light rail can be quite quick. As per other suggestions, you may want to (need to) take time to eat, before getting back to Lynwood, where you can get the bus, as, for some unknown reason, Snohomish County has an excellent bus service.
Drink responsibly. Donât drink and drive. Let the train take the strain.
âïž Step 4: Embrace the Flight
Beer flights are your passport to variety. You donât have to finish them allâthis isnât a contest. But be mindful: if the taproom is packed, ordering a flight might earn you a few side-eyes from the line behind you. Be strategic. Be swift. Be curious.