Seattle travel agent tips on Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

If you've got a flight landing in the Emerald City or you're a Seattle resident on your way out of town on vacation, Seattle travel agents say there are a number of options to make your airport experience more trouble-free.

First, pick the right type of transportation to get you to or from Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA), says Barbara Ye Robinson, a travel agent with  AmCan Travel in Seattle.

"If your flights are within reasonable hours, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and you live along the [SoundTransit] light rail or bus line, that’s the most economical, green and reliable way to travel," Ye Robinson says. "Otherwise, get a shuttle or taxi, or have friends or family drop you off."

According the Sea-Tac airport website, if you do choose to drive your vehicle and park long term during your trip, daily parking rates can cost as much as $35 per day, but weekly rates are available for as little as $130 each week.

Second, avoid delays on your journey by scheduling flights during off-peak times. "Fridays, Sundays and Mondays are usually busier due to heavier air traffic on those days," Ye Robinson says. "And the best times for shorter wait times at TSA screenings are early morning or late at night."

Although other Seattle airports such as Boeing Field International (BFI) handle some passenger service, Ye Robinson says most passengers are better off flying to or from Sea-Tac. "I don’t recommend trying to fly out of another airport, the services are less frequent and the prices are higher," she says.

When in the airport, Ye Robinson recommends wearing loose clothing, choosing slip-on shoes and carrying an easy-to-open carry-on to speed your way through TSA security checkpoints.

And, if you haven't yet, consider using the services of a travel agent. "It's a service that puts the traveler at ease when they travel, as they know they have someone to call if anything goes wrong," she says.

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