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I just know that when Uber was charging $60 for a ride to the airport (a couple years ago it was half that), my sister found a way to take transit for $3. This

I just know that when Uber was charging $60 for a ride to the airport (a couple years ago it was half that), my sister found a way to take transit for $3. This was in Seattle.

klaaz0r 5y ago
Exactly same here, I just started using taxi's for longer trips they don't cost more and I have a price upfront. Most people I know use uber in the city for short trips (but I am from Europe)
vkou 5y ago
There are a number of disadvantages to getting to the airport by LINK, especially if you have heavy bags. The more apt comparison is calling a cab to take you to the airport. I've never had to wait more than a few minutes at any hour of day or night, and the pricing is equivalent to Uber.
bradlys 5y ago
Works great if you’re very near transit or can have someone figure out that last mile for you. Works poorly if you’re not. I would take public transit where I live but I’m about 1-2 miles from the nearest bus stop that could get me to the airport (too far to walk with checked luggage). No big lots or houses where I live - people crammed in. The bus is unpredictable and runs infrequently and takes a very long route to get to the airport. (1+hr) If I take the train, I have to go even further walking and then I have to pay something like $9 then make a transfer (more time spent) and pay another $6. The time spent is maybe less than the bus but because of transfer - it can be quite slow. Add in that I’m usually traveling with a partner and I love to get to the airport just as boarding starts and this is a colossal waste of time + money. I pay the $30-35 for a Lyft/Uber and it’s way faster and more reliable. Sometimes cheaper too. It’s like 1/3rd the time spent (20-25min) vs 1.5hr+. Oh and I’m not adding in the unpleasantness of either transit option - just cost and time… I live in the peninsula of SFBA and go to SFO at least twice a year. Seattle has much better options for SeaTac if you’re in the actual city.
- smilekzs 5y ago
  The Greater Seattle area has plenty of "park-n-ride" areas with huge parking lots. For 2 months after taking a new job in Downtown Seattle, I simply drove to a park-n-ride in Bellevue and took the bus to work. The bus was slow but frequent, and for the most part had its dedicated lane so not quite affected by traffic. Plus, you can simply read, listen to music, or just relax on the bus. After that I was able to move into an apartment right next to the bus stop ;)
darth_avocado 5y ago
I live an hour away from the nearest airport. Of course public transit can take me, but it usually would take me anywhere between 2-3 hours if I account for all the transfers I missed. I started using Uber and it charged me about $60, which I found reasonable for a ride that long. In pandemic it became $150-200, and now it still regularly hovers around $120. I've realized that I can just drive to the airport, pay for long term parking ($13/day) and still come out even with Uber fares for trips as long as 3 weeks. This is something I used to do a decade ago. It's hilarious that we have gone a full circle on this.

I just know that when Uber was charging $60 for a ride to the airport (a couple years ago it was half that), my sister found a way to take transit for $3. This was in Seattle.

klaaz0r 5y ago

Exactly same here, I just started using taxi's for longer trips they don't cost more and I have a price upfront. Most people I know use uber in the city for short trips (but I am from Europe)

vkou 5y ago

There are a number of disadvantages to getting to the airport by LINK, especially if you have heavy bags. The more apt comparison is calling a cab to take you to the airport. I've never had to wait more than a few minutes at any hour of day or night, and the pricing is equivalent to Uber.

bradlys 5y ago

Works great if you’re very near transit or can have someone figure out that last mile for you. Works poorly if you’re not. I would take public transit where I live but I’m about 1-2 miles from the nearest bus stop that could get me to the airport (too far to walk with checked luggage). No big lots or houses where I live - people crammed in. The bus is unpredictable and runs infrequently and takes a very long route to get to the airport. (1+hr) If I take the train, I have to go even further walking and then I have to pay something like $9 then make a transfer (more time spent) and pay another $6. The time spent is maybe less than the bus but because of transfer - it can be quite slow. Add in that I’m usually traveling with a partner and I love to get to the airport just as boarding starts and this is a colossal waste of time + money. I pay the $30-35 for a Lyft/Uber and it’s way faster and more reliable. Sometimes cheaper too. It’s like 1/3rd the time spent (20-25min) vs 1.5hr+. Oh and I’m not adding in the unpleasantness of either transit option - just cost and time… I live in the peninsula of SFBA and go to SFO at least twice a year. Seattle has much better options for SeaTac if you’re in the actual city.

smilekzs 5y ago
The Greater Seattle area has plenty of "park-n-ride" areas with huge parking lots. For 2 months after taking a new job in Downtown Seattle, I simply drove to a park-n-ride in Bellevue and took the bus to work. The bus was slow but frequent, and for the most part had its dedicated lane so not quite affected by traffic. Plus, you can simply read, listen to music, or just relax on the bus. After that I was able to move into an apartment right next to the bus stop ;)

darth_avocado 5y ago

I live an hour away from the nearest airport. Of course public transit can take me, but it usually would take me anywhere between 2-3 hours if I account for all the transfers I missed. I started using Uber and it charged me about $60, which I found reasonable for a ride that long. In pandemic it became $150-200, and now it still regularly hovers around $120. I've realized that I can just drive to the airport, pay for long term parking ($13/day) and still come out even with Uber fares for trips as long as 3 weeks. This is something I used to do a decade ago. It's hilarious that we have gone a full circle on this.