SEATTLE, WA, USA - JUNE 15-19, 2009

Travel and Local Information


Getting to Seattle

The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is located approximately 20 minutes south of downtown Seattle. The airport services both domestic and international flights. The information below is for transportation between the airport and downtown Seattle.

GrayLine Seattle Downtown Airporter Service provides frequent shuttle service to downtown Seattle hotels between 5:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. The cost is US$10.25 per person one-way and US$17.00 for round trip. Advance reservations are not necessary. The Downtown Airporter operates between SeaTac Airport and the Crowne Plaza, Fairmont Olympic, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Hilton Hotel, Seattle Renaissance, Seattle Sheraton, Warwick Hotel and Westin Hotel. Tickets may be purchased from the service desks located on the baggage claim level of the airport.

Shuttle Express - Frequent operation between the airport and any Seattle destination you request. For example, the fare for 1-2 guests from SeaTac to downtown Seattle is US$28.75, and the 3rd guest rides for just US$4 more.

Several taxi and limo services are also available. For example Yellow Cabs, Tel: +1 206 622 6500; Farwest Taxi, Tel: +1 206 622 1717


Visa information

The sites http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov & http://travel.state.gov have information about obtaining a visa for those traveling to the United States. Both sites have links to websites for U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. The embassy and consulate websites have very helpful information about procedures, timelines, communities served, required documentation, and fees.

International registrants should be particularly aware and careful about visa requirements, and should plan travel well in advance.  All visa inquiries must be handled by ACM HQ. Please send your request for a letter in support of a visa application to "supportletters (AT) acm.org" and include your name, mailing address, and fax number, as well as the name of the conference you are attending. (Authors of papers/posters should also include the title).  Please note that ACM does not issue formal "letters of invitation" to any of its conferences.

Getting around Seattle

  • Metro Transit provides a range of transportation services throughout King County's 2,134 square miles. Regular adult fares range from $1.75 to $2.50 depending on time of day; more information can be found at http://transit.metrokc.gov/tops/bus/fare/fare-info.html. (Bus riders: See OneBusAway.org for real-time bus arrival information via phone, web and SMS.)
  • Washington State Ferries cross Puget Sound to various destinations. Further information about Ferries can be obtained by calling +1 206 464 6400.
  • The Seattle Monorail connects Seattle center to Westlake Center (across from the Westin Hotel). The Monorail leaves at 15 minute intervals from 9am to 11pm.
  • CityPass: Seven of Seattle's most popular attractions — the Space Needle, the Seattle Aquarium, the Argosy Harbor Cruise, the Pacific Science Center, the Woodland Park Zoo, the Museum of Flight and the Experience Music Project at the Science Fiction Museum — have gotten together to offer a half-price CityPass that provides entrance to six of these attractions (the first five listed, plus your choice of either the Museum of Flight or the Experience Music Project) for US$54.00 (adult). This is an excellent deal for travelers, and beats waiting in lines for tickets at each venue.


Dining in Seattle

Click here for a map of restaurants local to the conference hotel. [pdf]

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