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10 Reasons Your Kid Should Ride the Seattle Monorail

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Are you planning a Seattle family vacation but aren’t sure how to get from Seattle Center to Pike Place Market? As a local Seattle mom, I’ll share my personal experience of riding the Seattle Monorail with kids!
This guide to riding the Seattle Center Monorail with kids was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.

Have you heard about the Seattle Center Monorail?

My kids LOVE riding on it from Seattle Center to Westlake Center. It’s the perfect way addition to any family adventure in Seattle!

Keep scrolling to find out everything you need to know about the Seattle Monorail including how much it costs, where to get tickets, and what to do at each stop.

Brief History of the Seattle Monorail

The Seattle Center Monorail is a historic transportation landmark in Seattle, Washington. It was originally built for the 1962 World’s Fair, also known as the Century 21 Exposition, which was held at the Seattle Center.

The monorail was designed by Alweg Rapid Transit Systems, a German company that specialized in monorail technology. It was built in just eight months, using prefabricated sections that were assembled on-site.

The monorail made its debut on the opening day of the World’s Fair and quickly became a popular attraction for visitors.

This is the Seattle Center Monorail station. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

After the World’s Fair ended, the monorail was intended to be dismantled. However, it proved to be such a hit with the public that it was saved and has been in operation ever since.

Over the years, the Seattle Monorail services have undergone several upgrades and renovations to ensure its safety and reliability.

Today, the Seattle Center Monorail continues to be a beloved symbol of the city and an important mode of transportation for visitors and locals alike.

It runs a 1.2-mile route between the Seattle Center and downtown Seattle, with a top speed of 45 miles per hour.

The monorail provides breathtaking views of the city and is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Seattle.

Our Seattle Center Monorail Experience

When I decided to surprise my 6-year-old with a trip to the Space Needle, I knew how to make our outing good from good to great: a ride on the Seattle Monorail!

As I’m writing this, I can’t stop saying “monorail” like they did in that episode of the Simpson’s where they do a riff of the Music Man.

It cracks me up because that episode made monorails seem like an old-timey thing, when in fact they are supposed to seem more futuristic.

In fact, our Seattle Monorail was launched as part of the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle as a transportation system for the future.

Image of a boy in front of the Seattle Center Monorail Station
The Seattle Center Monorail station is just steps from the Space Needle. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

Anyway, after our trip up to the Space Needle, we headed into the Seattle Center and purchased tickets from one of the machines.

Then, we walked a few steps to the Seattle Center Station and waited for our train to arrive.

I think we waited 3-4 minutes and my son posed for about 50 photos as he anxiously waited the arrival of the monorail.

Image of two Seattle Center Monorail tickets
It’s easy to buy Seattle Monorail tickets. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

And then it happened. The monorail raced into Seattle Center Station and we patiently waited for the passengers to disembark and for the crew to check the monorail. Then, the doors opened and we were able to select our seats.

My son was a bit miffed that adults grabbed the seats closest to the conductor, but he found a whole bench seat to himself and he was a happy camper.

The ride is very, very short. It’s a total of 2 minutes. It was enough time for my son to get settled, look out the window, and ask if he could have a snack for the ride.

When we arrived at Westlake Center, we walked down 4 flights of stairs and then headed to the Pike Place Market. It’s within easy walking distance from the Westlake Center Station.

How Do You Use the Monorail in Seattle?

To use the Seattle monorail, you will need to purchase a ticket. You can purchase tickets at the monorail ticket vending machines at both Seattle Center and Westlake Station. Tickets are also available online at the Seattle Monorail website.

Image of a boy riding on the Seattle Monorail
My boys love the Seattle Center Monorail! Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

Once you have your ticket, you will need to board the monorail. The monorail runs every 10 minutes, so you should not have to wait long.

When you board the monorail, you will need to tap your ticket on the fare reader. The monorail ride takes about two minutes. When you arrive at your destination, you will need to tap your ticket on the fare reader again to exit the monorail.

Image of a boy in front of the Seattle Monorail sign at Westlake Center
You can’t miss the sign at Westlake Center. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

10 Reasons Your Kid Should Ride on the Seattle Monorail

Kids 5 and under ride free

The Seattle Center Monorail only charges $1.75 for kids ages 6-18 and adults are only $3.50.

You can teach your kids about money

There are pay stations at the Seattle Center Station as well as the Westlake Center Station and you can have your kids buy tickets for your family.

There’s only 1 stop, so you won’t get lost

The Monorail travels directly between Westlake Mall (5th Avenue and Pine Street) and Seattle Center (adjacent to the Space Needle and MoPOP). It’s the fastest way to get between these destinations.

The ride is short

It’s only 2 minutes from platform to platform, so even if you don’t enjoy public transportation, you won’t be on it too long.

It’s stroller-friendly

At Westlake Center, you can access the platform from the elevator located on 5th Ave (between Olive and Pine). At Seattle Center, there are ramps that allow for easy access. There are yellow gates at Seattle Center platform that pull out to allow wheelchairs easy entrance into the trains.

There are fun things on both ends

Seattle Center has the Pacific Science Center, Seattle Children’s Theatre, MoPop, Seattle Children’s Museum, the Chihuly Garden, and Space Needle plus countless festivals and events held on the grounds on any given day. Westlake Center has tons of Downtown shopping, plus it’s an easy walk to Pike Place Market.

It’s a unique experience

The Seattle Monorail is one of the few monorails in the United States, and it’s a fun way to get around Seattle.

It’s a fun way to learn about science and technology

The monorail is a great way to teach your kids about science and technology. You can talk about how the monorail works, and you can also point out the different parts of the monorail as you ride.

It’s a great way to start a conversation about public transportation

The monorail is a great way to start a conversation with your kids about public transportation. You can talk about the benefits of public transportation, and you can also talk about how to use public transportation safely.

It’s a convenient way to get around

The monorail runs every 10 minutes, so you won’t have to wait long to get where you’re going.

Image of ticket booths for the Seattle Monorail inside Seattle Center
You can buy tickets inside Seattle Center. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

Seattle Center Monorail FAQs

Is the Monorail still in Seattle?

Yes, the Seattle Center Monorail is still in operation. It is one of the few monorails in the United States that is not owned by a government agency. The monorail is operated by the privately-held Seattle Monorail Company.

How much does it cost to ride the Seattle monorail?

The cost of a one-way ride on the Seattle monorail is $3.50 for adults, $1.75 for youth (6-18), and $1.75 for seniors (65+). Children 5 and under ride free. You can also buy a day pass for $12, which allows unlimited rides on the monorail for one day. There’s also the option to purchase tickets at the monorail ticket vending machines at both Seattle Center and Westlake Station. You can also purchase tickets online at the Seattle Monorail website.

Where does the Seattle monorail take you?

The Seattle monorail runs between Westlake Center in Downtown Seattle and Seattle Center, home of the Space Needle, the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), and other popular attractions. The monorail ride takes about two minutes.

Will the monorail take you to the Seattle waterfront?

Yes, you can take the monorail from Seattle Center to Westlake Center. From there, you’ll walk a few blocks to the Seattle waterfront.

Riding the Seattle Center Monorail Wrap-Up

The Monorail provides a convenient and efficient way to travel between downtown Seattle and the Seattle Center, home to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks such as the Space Needle, the Pacific Science Center, and the Chihuly Garden.

One of the greatest benefits of the Seattle Monorail services is that it connects visitors to all of these exciting attractions within easy walking distance of each other, making it the perfect way to explore the city.

For those looking to explore downtown Seattle, the Monorail provides easy access to popular destinations like Pike Place Market and the city’s bustling shopping districts.

Overall, riding the Seattle Monorail is an unforgettable experience that should not be missed. From the stunning views to the convenient transportation, it is a must-do activity for anyone visiting the Emerald City.

Looking for more things to do at Seattle Center? Check out our tips for the Pacific Science Center, our guide to MoPop, our 3-day Seattle itinerary, and whether or not the Space Needle is worth it!

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