So you’ve booked your trip to Seattle and now you’re going through the tedious process of figuring out how much spending money you’ll need for your stay. No worries! We’ve done all the leg work for you and condensed it all in one place. We’ve gone through all the popular attractions and all the popular eateries so you’ll have an easier time figuring out how much money to bring for your trip.
So then, just how much spending money should I bring to Seattle?
On average, you’ll be spending $105 per person daily for your Seattle trip or $735 for a whole week. This is accounting for a meal 3 times a day, transportation fare, and admission to one of Seattle’s popular attractions. Keep in mind, this does not include lodging or airfare for your travels.
Read further below for tables on different budget plans as well as a breakdown on various areas of spending.
| Average Daily Spend Per Person | |
|---|---|
| Budget Friendly (Cheap) | $39 |
| Mid-range | $105 |
| Luxury (High End) | $440 |
Budget Friendly (Cheap) • Mid-range Budgets • Luxury (High End) Budgets
Budget Friendly (Cheap)
| Average Daily Spend Per Person | $39 |
|---|---|
| Food (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) | $24 |
| Transportation (public transportation) | $6 |
| Attractions & Entertainment | $9 |
Food
Here we’re looking at budget friendly meals that’ll keep you satiated. Typically fast food chains and pizza spots are great budget friendly options.
There are plenty of fast food options around and you’ll likely find yourself no more than a few blocks from a fast food chain. Places like McDonald’s, Subway sandwiches, or various pizza spots are great for cheap eats. An entree and drink will typically cost $8-$9.
A great alternative to fast food chains are the various bakeries around Seattle. For instance, Three Girls Bakery at Pike Place Market sells a Ham & Cheese Croissant for $3.50. The croissant and a coffee will easily land you under the $5 mark.
Transportation
Public transportation in Seattle is cheap and an easy way to get around. There are options for wherever you want to go in the Seattle area. Below are some budget friendly options:
- King County Metro: Fare is $2.75 with discounts for youth and seniors. The Metro is an expansive network of buses and more than likely will get you where you need to go. It serves downtown Seattle and can get you as far north as Montlake Terrace and far south as Federal Way.
- Sound Transit: Where as King County Metro is a bus system, Sound Transit offers express buses, Link Light Rail, and the Sounder Commuter Train. Sound Transit can get you as far north as Everett, as far south as Tacoma, and as far east as Sammamish.
- ST Express Bus – $2.75 one-county adult fare
- Link Light Rail – $2.50 one-way adult fare
- Sounder Commuter Train – $5.00 one-way adult fare
Attractions & Entertainment
Since this is the budget friendly plan, we’ll be utilizing mostly free options as destinations to enjoy. But don’t fret! You aren’t getting any less of an experience. The outdoors and nature are what makes Seattle an awesome place to visit. It’s that combination of city and the outdoors that make it such a popular destination.
- Discovery Park: 534 acres of tidal beaches, sea cliffs, and forests. It has miles of rugged trails and beaches and an incredible view of Puget Sound. Definitely one of Seattle’s most popular parks to visit and it’s free!
- Gas Works Park: One of the most unique parks in the world. It’s situated on a former gasification plant and still contains remnants of it’s industrial era. That’s not all there is though, it also boasts stunning views of South Lake Union and the downtown skyline. This is a popular spot for locals on a sunny day.
- Seattle to Bainbridge Ferry: For just $8.50, you’ll enjoy some of the best views you can get of the city and the surrounding region. No need to book an expensive harbor tour with this budget friendly option! The boat ride lasts 35 minutes one way and taking the ferry back from Bainbridge to Seattle is free. Talk about a deal!
Mid-range Budgets
| Average Daily Spend Per Person | $105 |
|---|---|
| Food (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) | $45 |
| Transportation | $20 |
| Attractions & Entertainment | $40 |
Food
There’s a lot of great options in this budget range. Any popular or trendy restaurant is a viable option. Specifically, award winning restaurants! Here are a few to get an idea of the pricing range:
- Market Grill: Seattle is known for their unbelievably fresh seafood and Market Grill is an eatery that prides itself on fresh seafood everyday. Per their website, Market Grill aims to feed you “the best Salmon Sandwich that you’ve ever had in your life!”
- You can get a Fresh Salmon Sandwich for $16 or $17 for a Salmon Plate.
- Pike Place Chowder: Three time winner of the Great Chowder Cook-Off in Newport, Rhode Island, which is the largest of it’s kind in the country (probably even the world). Their New England Clam Chowder was retired from the competition and inducted into the Great Chowder Cook-Off Hall-of-Fame. If you’re looking to try some world-class chowder then this is your place.
- A large Chowder is $10.95 or if a sandwich is more your thing then an Oregon Bay Shrimp Roll goes for $13.45.
- Paseo: Rated one of the best 31 sandwich shops in the country by Thrillist and has consistently won best sandwich in Seattle. Paseo serves delicious Cuban sandwiches and is must-stop if you’re a foodie.
- Their Famous Caribbean Roast Sandwich goes for $10.95.
Transportation
There’s a few different options for travel if you have some extra money to spend. Here are a few:
- Taxi: If traveling in the downtown area, a typical fare is roughly $10 one way. If traveling from downtown to somewhere a bit further, the Woodland Park Zoo for instance, it can go up to $20 one way. You can check TaxiFareFinder.com for an estimation of your fare.
- Uber / Lyft: For a cheaper alternative, Uber or Lyft are great options for getting around. Traveling around downtown will cost roughly $7 one way and $15 if traveling from downtown to the zoo.
- Car Rentals: If you’d like a more control over your traveling, then renting a car might make more sense. You can find great deals on car rentals on Booking.com. Off season rates can go for as cheap as $15 a day.
Attractions & Entertainment
With a mid-range budget, you’ll be able to visit every major tourist attraction no problem. You can expect to pay $36 or less per person to any of the following locations:
If you have time to fit in all of the above on your trip, then CityPASS Seattle may be for you. CityPASS offers entrance to all 5 locations at a great discount; $108 per adult or $84 for kiddos ages 5-12.
Luxury (High-End) Budgets
| Average Daily Spend Per Person | $440 |
|---|---|
| Food (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) | $190 |
| Transportation | $100 |
| Attractions & Entertainment | $150 |
Luxury budgets are for those that intend to get the very best out of their Seattle trip with little regard to cost. We’re talking fine dining, multi-course meals, and guided tours. This is definitely not for everyone, but it also doesn’t mean you can’t pick and choose some of these options if your budget allows.
Food
Michelin doesn’t rate restaurants in the Seattle area, but if they did, then these would definitely make the list. These restaurants don’t just give you a great tasting meal, but a dining experience that’ll please all of the senses.
- Canlis: Featuring New American Cuisine, Canlis is ranked one of the top 20 restaurants in America by Gourmet Magazine. Not only that, Chef Brady Williams has won the James Beard Award for Best Chef Northwest. This is food at an artisanal level and a meal you won’t forget.
- A four course menu is priced at $135 per person.
- The Butcher’s Table: A fine dining steakhouse, they serve premium steaks and Mishima Reserve Luxury Wagyu Beef. Get a luxe dining experience but with a lighthearted atmosphere.
- Expect steaks to start at $45 and premium cuts to be $80 and up.
- Wa’z: Modern Japanese multi-course (Kaseiki) dining which prides itself on meticulous preparation and beautiful presentation. They use organic and seasonal ingredients to wow your taste buds. The menu changes seasonally as Chef Hiro continues to innovate upon his dishes.
- The Japanese tasting course menu is priced at $110 for 8-10 courses.
Transportation
If traveling in style is your thing, then Seattle Royal Town Car is just the place for you. They offer luxury transportation with chauffeured services. Take out the inconvenience of driving by having your own personal chauffeur. For a private town car service, you can expect $100+ a day. For some, having that extra bit of luxury is worth it.
Attractions & Entertainment
For those with higher end budgets, Seattle offers many guided tours that takes the guesswork out of where you want to go. This is the ultimate convenience as all these tours have been finely cultivated to give you the best of what Seattle has to offer. All you have to do is show up and enjoy your adventure.
- Seattle in One Day: Sightseeing Tour: Starting at $148 per person, this tour covers all of the must-sees in the Seattle area. Learn about Seattle’s history and quirks as a knowledgeable guide brings you along for a tour of the city.
- Mt Rainier Day Tour from Seattle: Take a day trip to Mt. Rainier National Park and see the great outdoors in all of it’s glory. Here you’ll visit pristine forests, the glacial wilderness, and scenic lookouts to die for. This is a must for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The tour is priced at $155 per person.
- Early-Access Food Tour of Pike Place Market: Foodies rejoice! Take a VIP food tour of the iconic Pike Place Market, but without the crowds! You’ll experience the best places to eat and a few hidden gems that’s only known to locals. The tour starts at $60 per person.
- Snoqualmie Falls and Seattle Winery Tour: Did you know that Washington is the second largest producer of premium wine in the country? With over 900 wineries, Seattle definitely has a lot to offer. For $110 per person, you’ll visit a massive waterfall and take tours of popular Washington wineries.