Seattle Center Monorail

Seattle, United States

3.9

Open now

33 reviews

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Telephone:
+1 206-905-2620
Website:
www.seattlemonorail.com
Address:
370 Thomas St Ste 200, Seattle, WA, 98109
Lower Queen Anne
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
100 ftSeattle Center
0.2 miDenny Way & 2nd Ave N
0.3 mi3rd Ave & Cedar St
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Today

Today 7:30 am – 11:00 pm
Open now
Local time (Seattle) 21:32 Tuesday, 15 July 2025

Business hours

Monday 7:30 am – 11:00 pm
Tuesday 7:30 am – 11:00 pm
Wednesday 7:30 am – 11:00 pm
Thursday 7:30 am – 11:00 pm
Friday 7:30 am – 11:00 pm
Saturday 8:30 am – 11:00 pm
Sunday 8:30 am – 11:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Fast, direct transportation between downtown’s Westlake Center Mall (5th Avenue and Pine Street) and Seattle Center (home to the Space Needle, EMP Museum, Pacific Science Center and more!). Open daily — the train departs approximately every 10 minutes. Each trip takes about 2 minutes!

History

Established in 1962.

Seattle Center Monorail was built for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair to provide a crucial link between the fairgrounds and the amenities downtown.

Construction began in April of 1961 by Alweg Rapid Transit Systems, who received the bid when it offered to underwrite the entire cost of construction.

The Monorail opened to the public on March 24, 1962 nearly one month before the start of the World’s Fair. At a cost of $ 3.5 million, the trains carried more than eight million guests during the six months of the fair, easily paying for the cost of construction. The full initial capitol cost of the system was recovered and a profit was realized by ALWEG before the end of the fair.

Following the Fair, the Monorail system was turned over to Century 21 Corporation at no cost. Century 21 sold the system to the City of Seattle in 1965 for $ 600,000.

Today, the trains carry approximately two million passengers every year.

Seattle Center Monorail also recommends

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«This Museum is dedicated to rock ‘n’ roll, pop culture & science fiction. The exhibits feature one-​of-​a-​kind artifacts from music and sci-​fi history.»

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Seattle Center Monorail says,

«The Museum provides creative, hands-​on opportunities for families and children to explore. Perfect for families with children ages 10 and under!»

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Seattle Center Monorail says,

«The Space Needle is a must-​see for anyone visiting the city! Standing at 604 feet tall, it’s the best way to see the Seattle skyline!»

Pacific Science Center

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Cinemas

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Planetarium

Seattle Center Monorail says,

«Pacific Science Center features stunning exhibits for people of all ages. The IMAX theater is Seattle’s biggest screen at over 6 stories high!»

Chihuly Garden and Glass

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Seattle Center Monorail says,

«The exhibition provides guests with an in depth look at Dale Chihuly’s career and significant pieces of work! We recommend visiting it at night!»

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33 reviews of Seattle Center Monorail

No registration required
Place rating: 4
Portland, OR
This is a cool leftover from. the Seattle Worlds Fair. The rout is short from Seattle Center to Westlake Center.
It’s nice speeding it’s riders along well over the trafic. It’s fairly cheep for a tourist trap just $ 2.25 for adults.
The views are good as there are lots of windows. I like the seat by the driver for best views.
Place rating: 4
Campbell, CA
Easy and quick way to get from downtown to the SpaceNeedle.
Place rating: 5
Cerritos, CA
The monorail itself is nothing fabulous BUT this thing takes you from Pine Street all the way to the Space Needle area in like 5 minutes. Less than $ 5 for a round trip ticket per person and you avoid having to drive from Pike Street Market area. Awesome. Also, on the ride back, my girlfriend and I sat in the very back so you get an awesome view of the Space Needle as you go away from it.
Place rating: 4
East Meadow, NY
The Monorail is a fun, inexpensive way to get from Westlake Plaza downtown to Seattle Center. The ride is pretty quick since it is only a couple a miles away, but you can enjoy a scenic view of the city while riding.
People on the Monorail are friendly. I chatted with other tourists and locals showing their visitors around.
Place rating: 4
San Diego, CA
We took this to get to the Space Needle. It was cheap, quick and my kids rode for free since they’re under age. Very clean and lots of windows for natural lighting and views of the city as we go to and from the Space Needle. I loved it! San Diego needs something like this in our city!
Place rating: 3
Princeton, NJ
It’s a simple system, just back and forth but it works for what it is. Quick ride and more convenient than driving downtown so I’m all for it!
Place rating: 4
Irvine, CA
Being a tourist to Seattle, this was a great way to get from Downtown (Westlake Center) to Seattle Center where the Space Needle, Glass Museum and EMP Museum are. There are monorails about every 10 minutes and the ride itself only lasts about a few minutes. You get a great view of the city that you wouldn’t be able to get in a car. The monorail is open at reasonable times and it only costs $ 2.25 per person each way. Unfortunately, they only accept cash. which is really the only downside to this operation. If the mall is closed (during monorail operation hours), there is an entrance (stairway or elevator) specifically for the monorail.
Place rating: 4
Milpitas, CA
It was fun riding on this monorail. I’m sure people who’ve used it would agree with me. The ride just takes about 2 minutes between Westlake Center Mall (5th Avenue and Pine Street) and Seattle Center or Alweg Monorail station (adjacent to the Space Needle). It travels directly between these two stations, so you won’t get lost!
You need CASH to take a ride, even otherwise, you can probably withdraw from any one of the ATM machines located inside the mall. It has less number of cars, but no worries! You can catch any train, as it runs through every 10 minutes.
The Hubby & Me had a pleasant ride back and forth, thankfully it was running smoothly without any maintenance issues. Enjoyed the city views high above the ground and were even amazed to see how close the train travels near the city’s residential buildings. Hopefully, people living there must’ve got used to it.
It does attract every kid’s attention, as I saw many of them getting really excited while traveling. We paid around $ 4.50 round trip and felt it’s worth doing at least once as a visitor to Seattle.
Place rating: 3
Maple, Canada
While living in Seattle for 7 years I never took the Monorail. However, as a visitor attempting to reach the Space Needle from Downtown in the rain, the Monorail was an attractive option. I decided to take it on my most recent visit to Seattle.
The entrance is located on the top floor by the food court. Admission is $ 2.25 and is cash only. Given that there’s only one rail (mono = one, rail = rail), it’s quite a wait for the monorail to arrive if you just missed it as I did. But once it arrived I was pretty excited to get onboard. There aren’t as many seats as I had thought. There is a lot of standing room, though. The monorail doesn’t travel that fast and the distance traveled is short, so I felt that the trip wasn’t worth the fare that I paid. The Link Light Rail is a much better deal.
Overall the Monorail was an underwhelming experience. I’d rather walk, if it wasn’t raining.
Place rating: 4
Seattle, WA
If you need to get from Westlake Mall to Seattle Center (or vice versa), this is a great, fun option.
If you are not traveling this path, well then, the Monorail is not for you, as this is it’s only route.
It’s fast, it’s fun, and you can see the Amazon biospheres on your way.
$ 2.25, cash only, no ORCA
Place rating: 2
Los Angeles, CA
I did it once and now I’m good, I honestly never plan on riding it again. Using it to actually get places is just a waste of time and money. Just über, it’s way cheaper– there’s only two stations on this thing. The monorail at Disneyland or DisneyWorld is better, but if you have young kids that happen to be into trains & the like, and you happen to be in Seattle, try riding it once but I doubt most visitors would be too excited to do it over and over.
Place rating: 4
San Mateo, CA
If only we realized the monorail existed before we were halfway though our trip to Seattle! Once we discovered it we were hooked!
We took the monorail a few times during our trip to Seattle. We stayed at a hotel on 7th and Pine so the monorail was a great option to get over to the Space Needle and the EMP. The cost for a one way ticket for an adult is $ 2.25, which being from San Francisco felt like a bargain. There are only two stops, which are the mall and over by the Space Needle and the ride from one end to the other is about 5 – 7 minutes. Yes, the train is only a couple cars long, but it’s clean and it’s heated and we never saw it even close to being crowded. We loved that it was above ground. Have a whole new perspective of the city! A fun and useful attraction for tourists! Would definitely use the monorail again!
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Great method of transportation from the downtown area to Seattle Center. Wait times aren’t bad and the price is reasonable.
Clean mode of transportation.
Place rating: 3
Land Park, Sacramento, CA
I had to wait several years to finally ride the Seattle Monorail due to maintenance and other delays, but on my recent trip I finally was able to ride the rail — singular, not plural! The monorail was built in 1962 for the World’s Fair and now connects the Space Needle to downtown Seattle on a short, but convenient route high above the street.
The monorail is old and somewhat slow while waiting for the train to make a round trip. The interior is clean and safe, but it is a dated version of historic futurism — especially compared to the versions operating at Disney parks. Kids will appreciate sitting up front watching the train glide downtown.
The monorail is cash only and not part of any transit passes. It is actually a great way to connect the museums near the Seattle Center with the other attractions downtown, but it does not go anywhere else. Nevertheless, I recommend using it to avoid driving and finding a new parking place.
Place rating: 5
Seattle, WA
The Monorail is my absolute favorite public transportation!
If I could I would live in a Monorail. Okay, that might be a bit too crazy, but I think you can say that I really like the Monorail.
The only sad part about it is, that it just runs from the Space Needle to Downtown Seattle.
I like that you get a whole new perspective to watch the streets and buildings rushing by, the people working at the monorail are always friendly and for a little shopping or sightseeing the monorail is the perfect transport!
Space Needle, EMP, Pacific Science Center, Seattle Center, … on one end, Seattle Downtown with its shopping district, theaters and the waterfront just a few blocks away on the other end.
Place rating: 4
Markham, Canada
Everything that related to Seattle Centre gives me a sense I am back in 1960s and in a movie set. That including Monorail.
$ 2.25 Cash only can take you from Westlake Centre (just a few block North of Pike Market) to Seattle Needle. A slow fun ride but it is more fun than taking a bus or walking especially on a cold rainy day.
Highly recommended as a tourist to at least take an one way trip for the nostalgic experience and hopefully with enough ridership it will keep running!
Place rating: 3
Ferndale, WA
A great way to travel from the Seattle Center downtown to Westlake, or the opposite direction. The monorail makes the round trip about every 10 minutes during the day.
The price is reasonable at $ 2.25 for the trip, or $ 4.50 for a round trip.
This must have been a really amazing form of transportation during the 1962 worlds fair when it was new, but it is simply a great way to get from point a to point b today.
Place rating: 5
Lubbock, TX
This has got to be he best way to travel between downtown and the space needle area. The only catch is that you must have exact change and cash only. We were traveling from the space needle to downtown so we grabbed some coffee at Ceres Roasters and asked for the specific kind of change we needed. They were more than happy to oblige.
Place rating: 5
Garberville, CA
The Monorail was a great way for me to get from where I was staying, downtown, to all of the Attractions at the City Center. I was really appreciative of how easy and CHEAP it was to use. I wouldn’t have been able to see ½ of what I wanted to without it!
Place rating: 4
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
The Seattle Center Monorail was life for us in Seattle without a car. You can easily get from Downtown to Seattle Center for $ 4.50 round trip and avoid walking through unfamiliar neighborhoods and getting lost. Every time we used the Monorail, it wasn’t overly crowded and we were able to find seats without much trouble. It’s clean on the inside and it’s a quick ride to Westlake Center where you can explore the Retail Core and access the Link Light Rail (like to get to the airport!). It’s definitely not the Disneyland Monorail, but its utility is there and it’s cheap enough to use often.
Place rating: 3
Sacramento, CA
This was a gift from the gods after walking all day to the space needle and catch it to head back to the mall was heaven sent! It was 2.50 to ride the ride was pretty short and fast and highly appreciated because my feet were killing me! The ride was a little shaky moving a lot when in motion neither the less i got safe where i had to be. Would ride it again if i was givin the chance too just because u get a quick tour of the downtown area.
Place rating: 5
Lake Stevens, WA
If you have small kids this is the way to go. Fast and fun. Kids loved this. Cheap so that helps if you have already paid for parking, food and attractions. It stops at Westland center and space needle so you can enjoy both areas in one day. It does get crowded to try to get on first. Runs very 10 mins. They only had 1 running when we rode. You also have to pay cash at the space needle not sure on the mall side we walked from the mall to the space needle and then rode back.
Place rating: 4
Houston, TX
the monorail is a convenient way to get a quick circular view of downtown seattle. of course, not as towering as the space needle, there is something very relaxing about smoothly zooming in between large buildings at a pretty decent height.
built like an «above ground and then elevated even more» subway, the monorail has all the attitude of a subway without all the dark and grimey setbacks. unfortunately, there are only two stops (westlake center and right in front of the space needle) so your travel possibilities are limited. But if your destinations are near those areas, then the monorail can get you there speedy fast.
some things to consider: tickets are $ 4 for round rip so I wouldn’t see it as feasible transportation for a daily commute, but as a one time deal, it’s probably acceptable. Also, it’s a bit of a tourist sink so lots of crowds, but despite that, there is hardly any wait time.
Place rating: 4
Santa Clarita, CA
It may only have two stops, but they are pretty much the two most popular areas of Seattle for the average tourist like me. We stayed in Downtown and took the Monorail to the EMP. Early in the morning, the ticket booth is closed and you purchase your round-​trip ticket from the conductor (CASH ONLY). This obviously makes the time in-​between trips take a bit longer, but if you are going to the EMP you will be doing a lot of walking and will appreciate the respite from any further wear on your feet. To get to the Downtown Westlake Station, just climb the stairs on 5th Street near the corner of 5th and Pine. Next time I stay in Seattle, I will probably stay closer to Seattle Center and take advantage more of this simple yet useful mode of transit.
Place rating: 4
San Leandro, CA
The monorail is a wonderfully convenient and quick ride to connect downtown with Seattle Center. The cars bring back nostalgia with its retro style and its rickety tracks. You can access the station by taking the escalators in the Westlake Center to the top floor and venture outside where you can buy tickets at the window. Cash only. Since there are only 2 stations, there’s not a lot of room for confusion.
Place rating: 4
Irvine, CA
Really convenient way to get to the Space Needle and EMP Museum. I just wished the rail was longer and could go further.
Really nice and clean.
Place rating: 3
San Leandro, CA
Like most of the reviewers already pointed out, it was built in 1962 and it kinda kept the spirit.
There are two trains (I never saw them run simultaneously), red and blue, that run every ten minutes (the ride takes about 2min). The ones departing from Convention Center are usually more crowded than the ones leaving from below the Space Needle.
It’s convenient if you don’t have to go far since it only has two stops (but then again you can walk that distance in less than 15min). Other than that it’s just a tourist attraction. Try it, once is enough.
And I really dislike the fact that they only accept cash (I know it’s a relic, but this could really be updated).
Place rating: 4
Oakland, CA
What’s not to like? It reminds me of a Disneyland ride and you get to see the Space Needle and not have to walk from Downtown to the Space Needle. One way is $ 2.25. At the platform, there are Seattle monorail tee shirts to buy in the vending machine and even penny souvenir machines. I know it is a tourist thing but if you come to Seattle, you have to see the Space Needle and ride the monorail!
Place rating: 3
Santa Barbara, CA
A semi-​economical way (2.50 $ for a mile’s length) to get from point a to point b, Space Needle to Downtown, vice versa. There isn’t much to review, smooth ride, clean interior, nice views of the city as it goes. They stay working until 11pm, I believe.
The only negative to the rail is that it is tricky to find once the mall closes, there is a side door with stairs that takes you up to it, my advice is find that secret door before hand so you’re not running around in circles like I did.
Oh and yeah, CASH ONLY.
Place rating: 4
Eagle River, AK
There’s not much to it! two stations and the train just goes back and forth between the two. Both are conveniently located near the Space Needle and then close to Pike Place, by the mall.
I thought it was pretty awesome that the train conductor would let the kids honk the horn on departure. The fares are pretty reasonable and $ 2 if you are military. Not bad!
The only reason I rate this 4 stars and not 5 is because of the lack of surveillance for safety purposes. Anyone could just walk along the gates and yellow line and easily fall or get hurt and the person selling the tickets was not the friendliest. It would definitely be nice if there was some security personnel during the late hours.
Place rating: 4
Seattle, WA
I haven’t been on the Seattle Monorail is probably a decade… at least. But she’s still running just fine!
A Seattle landmark and must-​try for any newcomer to town.
BTW: make sure you have cash. they only take cash. No Apple Pay here yet.
Place rating: 4
Los Angeles, CA
Nice ride that takes you from downtown Seattle to the space needle.
$ 5 for a roundtrip. Plenty of seating and at one point the monorail tilts a bit.
Built for the worlds fair and you figured they would add another station somewhere but I guess point A to point B is good enough.
Buildings have now been built around this monorail so its interesting to see a office building or apartment up close.
Slower & shorter then the Disneyland one so its a quick trip.
Cash Only.
Place rating: 4
Sanitz, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Ein klasse Transportmittel — Verkehr in verschiedenen Etagen, konzipiert für die Weltausstellung 1962 — schade, dass es sich nicht durchgesetzt hat ;-)
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