Seattle Trip Planning

Hi everyone,

I have looked over all the threads on Seattle trips but I have a few different questions to ask. I am not going to be renting a car there. Is it possible to get to KBFI, KPAE, KRNT and KSEA via public transportation or another way? I see alot of fantastic shots coming out of Seattle both on here and Flickr so I guess the spotting areas are fairly hassle free. Any recommendations on places to stay would be extremely appreciated. Not sure when I'm going yet but I am hoping to meet some of the Seattle/Portland area guys when I'm there. I figure you guys can help me more that a travel agent can.

Thanks,

Gene

Gene,
First I gotta say I’m glad to see another Bostonite on the site (used to live in and around Boston before moving to Seattle 2 years ago)!
Second, there are certainly a lot of good places to see a lot of good planes around Seattle. BFI, SEA, and RNT are all relatively easily accessible by bus to the major spotting locations and a small bit of walking. Other Seattle area folks might be able to chime in more on the exact routes but I can certainly suggest looking at their mass transit website: http://tripplanner.kingcounty.gov/cgi-bin/itin_page.pl?resptype=U PAE is quite a bit tougher and is near to impossible to get to via public transportation with any degree of ease – during certain times of the week (like weekends), it isn’t possible on one transit system and you’ll likely need to hodge podge several together to make it happen if possible at all: I once googled it for public transportation and it was 3 hours from north Seattle.
So all that to say that while it is doable it will probably be slow and changing locations will be a chore – rent a car if at all possible and you’ll be glad you did or be prepared to stake out a spot for an afternoon or more. The other part that will be difficult is that you’ll need a ladder to make most of the BFI and PAE locations to work. SEA, RNT, and the Future of Flight museum at PAE do not require ladders for virtually all of their locations – as the spotting guides point out – but BFI and the rest of PAE requires a ladder at every location.
Let me know what time you’re coming to town and I’ll see if I can make it out there to meet you – I always love meeting another NYC member (and one from the Hub especially J ).

Hey Jeremy Thanks so much for the info. I'll keep you informed I'll check out the website.
Gene

Last time I was out in Seattle I bought a ladder at Home depot, it was like $30. After we were done spotting I donated it to a local spotter. I would definitely rent a car.

Yeah a car is a must. I would be more then happy to show you arond in the mornings before I have to go into work. Just let us know when you will be up here. The spotting guides are excellent for here.

Also for the ladder do like a few visitors have and buy one and you can always return it too. Home Depot is normally pretty good with returns. Just tell them it didn't satisfy your needs.

LOL thanks Brandon and Eric, I do like the idea of a ladder and of returning it :)