Seattle Corporate Traveller Guide

Staying in Seattle, USA

If you know the Wizard of Oz, you’ll be familiar with the Emerald City as being the magical capital that stands at the end of the yellow brick road. The West Coast US city of Seattle has adopted the fictional nickname as their own, feeling it apt for the lush greenery, impressive mountainous surrounds and illustrious opportunity that the city is known for. An affluent urban centre for technology, manufacturing and transportation, Seattle has a strong economy home to numerous FTSE 100 and NYSE-listed headquarters. Renowned as a start-up’s dream, Seattle is a hub of innovation that consistently ranks top amongst the best cities in the world for growing a business from the ground up.

You may know the city as being the birthplace of Starbucks or having a skyline shaped by the Space Needle, but there’s plenty more to know if you’re heading to Seattle on business. We've compiled all the basics so you don’t have to; read on for our corporate traveller’s guide to Seattle.

Seattle Key Information

Weather in Seattle

While it may not have the most rainfall per year in terms of mm, Seattle is known as the drizzliest city in the United States. Summers here are short and comfortably warm with average highs of 26°, while winters are cold and very wet but with average temperatures not typically dropping below -2°. You’ll find the clearest, most rain-free days in August, but you wouldn’t ever want to be without an umbrella year round in Seattle.

Currency in Seattle

US Dollar (USD)

The currency here is US dollar and, like many other major cities worldwide, Seattle is generally a cashless culture. Most locals use their credit/debit cards exclusively as it’s rare to find somewhere that only takes cash, but a small cash supply may be useful for things like tipping. Tips of around 15-20% are usual for good service in restaurants, at hairdressers/barbers and for taxi drivers.

Health & Well-being in Seattle

If you’re happy to drive outside the city, Seattle is surrounded by impressive landscapes that lend themselves to an array of outdoors activities. Snow Lake is a stunning hike around an alpine lake ideal for an easy-going summer trek; for around $10 you can visit Ebey’s Landing National History Reserve and go wildlife spotting; and for a steadily sloped roundtrip perfect for a sunset hike, head to Rattlesnake Ledge.

Data in Seattle

A local SIM is almost non-negotiable nowadays for travelling or relocating abroad. Whether you need your phone for directions, train times, or ordering a taxi, data is essential for feeling safe and settled in your new city. You can find cheap plans at convenience stores such as 7-11 or Target, or at mobile provider shops like T-Mobile, and shop assistants will usually fit the SIM for you in store; just remember to bring your passport as proof of identification.

Plug Shape: Types A & B

Cuisine in Seattle

Seattle’s Pike Place Market is one of the US’s oldest continually running markets and is still just as popular now as it was upon opening in the early 1900s. Starting as a farmer’s market selling vegetables and other fresh produce, Pike Place today is home to hundreds of stalls offering a diverse selection of locally sourced, artisan foods. From fish like salmon, oysters and clam caught from the surrounding bays to Japanese teriyaki and Vietnamese pho, many of Seattle’s favourite dishes can be found in this historic district.

Language in Seattle

Seattle’s primary spoken language is English, with Spanish and Chinese accounting for the majority of non-English mother tongues. Known as Seattleites, Seattle locals have a repertoire of slang that you can expect to hear often while out and about. You’ll quickly pick up the common phrases, but here’s a few to get your started.

The Mountain’s out: this is referring to Mount Rainier being visible on a sunny, rainless day.

Vitamin R:  the R here refers to the city’s cheapest beer, Rainier, and people will say this when in need of a drink.

U-Dub:  nickname for the University of Washington.

The Seattle Freeze:  people seem to say that it can be difficult to make friends in the city, a phenomenon that was named the ‘Seattle Freeze’ by a local newspaper many years ago. Once people do warm up though, Seattleites are said to invest in friendships for life.

Seattle Tuxedo:  if you like dressing for comfort and prefer to be casual, you’ll likely be wearing a lot of these. A Seattle Tuxedo refers to a flannel shirt, a popular style in the city.

Fill me up with leaded:  this doesn’t refer to filling your car with petrol, instead people in need of a coffee would request this!

Transport in Seattle

Many opt to walk, bike or drive around Seattle for the convenience these methods offer. There are, however, many reliable public transport options to make the most of for all your urban exploration and commuting needs. Choose from light rail, bus, tram, and monorail services, and pay using the local Orca card. For route planning and travel alerts, we recommend downloading Citymapper to help you get to grips with the system.

Seattle’s Link light rail has 18 stops between Angle Lake in the very south of the city and Northgate Station, including Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Trains run regularly between 5:00am and 1:43am Monday to Saturday (with a slightly reduced service on Sundays) and fares cost $2.25-$3.50.

The bus service in Seattle is known as Metro Transit and is many locals’ preferred transportation in the city for its ease and range of routes. Expect to pay between $2.75 and $3.25 for your fare.

Seattle trams, otherwise known as streetcars, are split into two routes: South Lake Union and First Hill with 19 stops between them. While these have limited coverage and aren’t the fastest mode of transport in the city, they are rarely crowded and offer a leisurely travel experience. Single fares for all routes are fixed at $2.25.

The monorail runs between downtown and Seattle centre in regular 10-minute intervals and a one-way fare costs $3. Having been originally built in the 60s for a World’s Fair, today the monorail is considered a city landmark so you can enjoy its futuristic design while you travel.

Seattle Map

Now that you've brushed up on the basics for corporate travel to Seattle, browse our selection of Seattle serviced apartments and get in touch to book today.

Whether you need a studio for solo travel or a three-bedroom apartment for you and your family, SilverDoor's portfolio has a range of serviced apartments in Seattle. From the top four corporate apartments in Seattle to five reasons Seattle is a good place in which to invest, this Washington State city is the ideal place to conduct business.