$3.25 gets you from SEA to Tacoma on Route 574
Sound Transit Route 574 runs from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport’s Main terminal to Tacoma Dome Station in about 40–60 minutes, depending on I‑5 traffic. It’s the cheap way south when an Uber or Lyft is showing $70–$80. Think standard express bus: forward-facing seats, no frills, but it does the airport–Tacoma–Lakewood corridor reliably most of the day.
The stop at SEA sits on the lower drive in the bus/shuttle zone under the Main terminal, not by the Link light rail station. Signs for “Buses” and “Shuttles” point you down from baggage claim to the correct curb, where multiple Sound Transit routes share bays. Look for the digital sign and the bus headsign showing “574 Tacoma / Lakewood” or similar rather than just following a crowd.
SeaTac to Tacoma Dome Station is scheduled at roughly 40–50 minutes but can stretch past an hour when I‑5 is clogged at rush hour or during late‑night lane closures. The bus runs roughly every 30 minutes during most daytime hours, with reduced late‑night service that still beats Link, which shuts down earlier. Riders regularly mention catching the 574 after midnight when flights are delayed.
The adult ST Express fare for the longer SeaTac–Tacoma or SeaTac–Lakewood segments is $3.25 as of current charts, payable by ORCA card or cash on board. If you pay cash, bring exact change since drivers don’t make change or sell ORCA cards. Tap ORCA when you board through the front door; inspectors occasionally ride 574, especially between Federal Way Transit Center and Tacoma Dome Station.
Route 574 also hits Federal Way Transit Center and Lakewood, which turns Federal Way into a handy transfer hub. Locals sometimes start or exit there because buses can be less crowded leaving Federal Way than Tacoma in the morning. Expect some crowding in commute windows and airport shift-change times, when JBLM workers and airport staff fill seats quickly.
Luggage rides at your feet or in an adjacent seat; there are no dedicated racks on these coaches, so big checked bags get awkward when the bus is standing-room-only. Regulars like sitting in the middle section to keep bags close and still be near both doors. Confusion with other numbered Sound Transit routes at the shared airport stop is a recurring comment, especially for visitors.
Step-by-step from SEA to Tacoma Dome on Route 574
- 1. From baggage claim in the Main terminal, follow signs for “Ground Transportation” and then “Buses/Shuttles” down to the lower drive.
- 2. At the bus zone, find the Sound Transit stop and confirm the bay for Route 574 on the posted sign or digital display.
- 3. Check the Sound Transit real‑time tracker on your phone so you’re not standing in the rain for an extra 20 minutes if the bus is delayed.
- 4. When the 574 arrives, confirm “574 Tacoma / Lakewood” (or similar) on the front headsign before boarding, since other ST routes also stop here.
- 5. Pay $3.25 with your ORCA card (tap once) or with exact cash at the farebox, then move toward the middle of the bus with your luggage.
- 6. Ride 40–60 minutes, watching for the Tacoma Dome Station stop, which is announced on board and shown on the interior display.
- 7. Exit at Tacoma Dome Station for local Pierce Transit buses, Sounder trains on weekdays, or short walks to nearby parking and rideshare zones.
One last tip: if your arrival is between about 3–6 p.m., build at least 20 extra minutes into your plan; I‑5 southbound through Federal Way can stall with almost no warning.