Arrival in Seattle

Arriving by Airplane

Seattle-Tacoma Airport
Seattle-Tacoma Airport (SeaTac) is located 13 miles (21 km) from Seattle's central business. In the continental U.S., SeaTac is the closest airport to Asia and is approximately nine hours by air from either Tokyo or London. There are over 30 scheduled flights to Asia and 8 flights to London each week.

The following carriers offer direct international flights to Seattle: Asiana, Aeroflot, Air B.C, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Canadian Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, EVA Airlines, Martinair Holland, Northwest Airlines, San Juan Airlines, SAS, United Airlines. SeaTac has direct flights from cities in Canada (Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria), Western Europe (Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London), Russia (Khabarovsk, Magadan, Moscow, Vladivostok) and Far East Asia (Beijing, Hong Kong, Manila, Osaka, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo).

Due to the fact that most universities and organizations have their own travel agencies who often provide better pricing, ICASSP '98 has decided NOT to have any officially designated airline.

Ground Transportation
Grayline Airport Express is the most convenient and inexpensive scheduled airport service between downtown locations and SeaTac Airport. The cost is $7.50 one way, 5 am to midnight. Service departs the airport approximately every 30 minutes. Grayline Service Booths are located on the baggage claim level at the airport. Taxi service is available and costs about $28.00 to downtown Seattle. Most major US rental car companies have counters at the airport.

From SeaTac you may also wish to take a Metro Bus (public transit). Buses 174 and 194 run very frequently between SeaTac baggage claim and the Convention Place Bus Station (underground, beneath the Convention Center). The bus fare will be approximately $1.60 (USD), depending upon time of day. These buses leave approximately every 25 minutes and have about 30 minutes of travel time between Downtown Seattle and SeaTac airport.

Getting to the Convention Center by Car

If you drive to Seattle you will most likely approach from Interstate 5 (north and south) or Interstate 90. From Interstate 90 you should head north into the city; the Convention Center literally straddles Interstate 5 in downtown Seattle.

From I-5 Northbound, take the Seneca Street Exit (Exit 165 on the left side of the freeway), make a right on 6th Avenue and another right on Pike Street.

From I-5 Southbound, take the Union Street exit (Exit 165B), make a right on 6th Avenue and another right on Pike Street.

From I-90 Westbound, take I-5 Northbound, then exit at the Madison Street Exit. Make a right on Seneca and a left on 8th Avenue.

Parking at the Convention Center

Public Parking is available at the Convention Center. The normal cost is $13.00 day. There is an Early Bird Special of $7.00 for 12 hours if you arrive prior to 9:00 am. (Note: These prices are currently being reviewed and may change prior to the convention date.)

Taxis

Cabs are available downtown at rates of $1.80 plus $1.80 per mile. The largest cab company is Yellow Cab (206) 622-7395.

Metro Bus Transportation

Riding Metro is free between 6 am and 7 pm in Downtown Seattle. The Ride Free Area extends from the north at Battery St. to S. Jackson St. on the south, and east at 6th Ave. to the waterfront on the west. Tunnel stations are included in the Ride Free Area, but the Waterfront Streetcar is not.