Bus from Seattle-Tacoma Airport to Olympia

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the main international gateway for the Pacific Northwest and handles flights from across the US, Europe, and Asia. Over thirty airlines operate from the single terminal, including Alaska, Delta, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, and Qatar Airways. Most travellers arriving here are heading into Seattle or King County, but SEA-TAC is also the most practical arrival point for people travelling to the Washington state capital, around 60 miles south by road.

Once you have cleared arrivals and collected your bags, the question is how to cover those 60 miles to Olympia. FlixBus runs a daily direct service from the airport kerb to the Intercity Transit Center in downtown Olympia in around an hour and twenty minutes.

The bus removes the need to navigate I-5 south after a long flight, deal with unfamiliar roads, or sort out parking in downtown Olympia. You step off at the transit centre in the heart of the city, within walking distance of most of what first-time visitors want to see.

Finding your stop at SEA-TAC

The departure stop is outside Door 2 on the arrivals level of the Main Terminal, at the south end of the baggage claim level. After collecting your bags, head out toward Door 2 and the bus is at the kerb. Have your ticket confirmation on your phone; there is no desk or ticket window at the airport.

The journey to Olympia

Have your booking confirmation on your phone, stow larger bags in the hold underneath and take your allocated seat.

The bus follows Interstate 5 south through Tacoma and into Thurston County, arriving at the Intercity Transit Center at 205 Franklin St NE in downtown Olympia. Journey time is around an hour and twenty minutes.

Power outlets at every seat and free Wi-Fi mean you can use the time to decompress after the flight or get your bearings before you arrive.

Arriving in Olympia

The Intercity Transit Center sits in the heart of downtown Olympia, a short walk from Budd Inlet and the waterfront. Most of what first-time visitors want to see (the Capitol Campus, Percival Landing, and the Farmer's Market area) is within fifteen to twenty minutes on foot from the OTC.

Getting around Olympia

Downtown Olympia is compact and walkable. For trips beyond the immediate centre, Intercity Transit operates the local bus network with the OTC as its main hub.

• Bus: Routes 13 (Capitol Blvd), 24 (Capitol Campus/SPSCC), and 30 all serve the Olympia Transit Center. Route 13 runs along Capitol Boulevard to the Capitol Campus area. Route 24 connects the OTC with the Capitol Campus and South Puget Sound Community College, passing through the Farmer's Market area. Route 30 serves the western side of the city including Capital Mall.
• On foot: the Capitol Building, Percival Landing, and the Farmer's Market are all within fifteen to twenty minutes' walk from the OTC. The downtown core is small enough that most visitors cover it without needing a bus at all.
• Taxi and rideshare: services operate in the city, though availability can be patchy in the evenings and on weekends.

Things to do in Olympia

Olympia rewards more time than most people initially plan to give it. The state capital setting, the waterfront, and a food and arts scene that punches above its size make for a satisfying visit.

• Washington State Capitol Building: free guided tours of the 1927 Legislative Building run regularly. The dome is one of the largest self-supporting masonry domes in the US, and the surrounding grounds include botanical gardens worth a separate walk.
• Percival Landing: a mile-long boardwalk along Budd Inlet with views across the water toward the Olympic Mountains. Popular at any time of day, with waterfront restaurants nearby.
• Olympia Farmers Market: one of the larger markets in Washington state, open Thursday to Sunday from April through October in a covered waterfront pavilion. Over 100 vendors selling produce, crafts, and artisanal food.
• Capitol Lake: the 1.7-mile loop trail around the lake is the best easy walk in the city. Good birdwatching year-round, with views back toward the Capitol dome.
• Squaxin Park (formerly Priest Point Park): 314 acres of parkland along Ellis Cove with saltwater shoreline, over four miles of hiking trails, and stands of second-growth forest.
• Artesian Well: a free-flowing natural water source on the edge of downtown, marked by a cobalt and white mosaic. Historically the water source behind Olympia's regional brewing reputation.

The downtown strip along Capitol Way has independent restaurants and the city's main entertainment venues. Olympia has a long-running music scene and several active theatres, with the biannual Arts Walk (spring and autumn) being one of the better events in the regional calendar.

Buses from SeaTac to Olympia

Find the cheapest buses from SeaTac to Olympia

It couldn't be easier to book your travel from SeaTac to Olympia with FlixBus - and when you book in advance, you can save money too! Make your journey even easier with the FlixBus app. All your information will be saved for the next time you travel.

What to expect onboard the FlixBus bus from SeaTac to Olympia

Traveling from SeaTac to Olympia is stess-free, clean and comfortable - and it couldn't be easier to book a ticket. You can book online via the website, on our app, in person at a FlixShops or at resellers.
We accept card payment as well as Paypal, Google Pay and Apple Pay, but there are many more payment options that you can choose from. The easiest way to book your ticket is using our app. You'll be able to make your reservation within seconds and there's no need to print and carry the ticket with you, as your phone will be your ticket.

Want to sit beside family or friends or keep the space beside you free? Need easy access to the toilet or a table to get on with some work whilst traveling? You can reserve a seat when you book on the app or website, and you can choose from a variety of seat options. Once you're settled in your seat, you can sit back and relax with plenty of onboard services to help you make the most of your trip. Most of our buses have onboard Wifi so you can catch up on your favorite shows, chat with your friends or listen to music and podcasts. We've also got toilets onboard, as well as power outlets.
What's more, you get a generous luggage allowance when you travel with FlixBus with one carry-on bag and one checked bag, so you can bring everything you need for your trip.