Overview
Seattle is the Pacific Northwest's laid-back coastal city, set between Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains, with Mount Rainier on the horizon. It offers a walkable downtown, a celebrated coffee and music scene, and quick access to islands, forests and volcanoes. For UK travellers it works well as a standalone city break or as the gateway to a wider West Coast trip or an Alaska cruise.
Best time to fly to Seattle
Seattle's rainy reputation is a little overstated — most of it falls as light drizzle between October and March, when the city is mild and quiet. July to September is the driest and warmest stretch, with long evenings and clear mountain views, but this is peak season, so demand and fares run high. May to June and September to October are the sweet spot for decent weather and better value. See the When to book chart above for how prices shift through the year.
Airlines and routes
British Airways and Delta both fly direct to Seattle from London Heathrow, with a westbound flight time of around 9 hours 45 minutes and a slightly quicker return. Seattle is a Delta hub, so onward connections across the US are straightforward. From Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham or Belfast you will usually take one stop — via Amsterdam with KLM, Paris with Air France, Dublin with Aer Lingus or Reykjavik with Icelandair. One-stop fares often undercut nonstop, so it pays to compare both when searching for cheap flights to Seattle.
Things to do in Seattle
Seattle rewards walkers and ferry-riders. A few highlights:
- Pike Place Market: a century-old waterfront market with fishmongers, flower stalls and the first Starbucks nearby.
- Space Needle: the 1962 World's Fair tower, with a rotating glass floor and sweeping views over the city and Sound.
- Chihuly Garden and Glass: a vivid indoor-outdoor display of Dale Chihuly's blown-glass sculptures beside the Needle.
- Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP): music, film and sci-fi exhibits in a Frank Gehry building, strong on grunge and Jimi Hendrix.
- Bainbridge Island ferry: a 35-minute sailing from downtown for skyline views and a quiet harbour town.
At King County International Airport–Boeing Field (BFI)
Boeing Field lies about five miles south of downtown and mainly handles private jets, charters, cargo and Boeing test flights. Scheduled services from the UK land at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA), roughly 13 miles south of the centre. From Boeing Field, a taxi or ride-hailing car reaches downtown in about 15 minutes. From Sea-Tac, the Link light rail is the simplest option, running to downtown in around 40 minutes for a couple of pounds' equivalent, with taxis and hotel shuttles also available.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Seattle
- Book early for summer: for July to September travel, fixing your fare three to six months ahead usually beats leaving it late — check the price charts on this page.
- Fly midweek: Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically cheaper and quieter than Friday or Sunday.
- Stay flexible: shifting your dates by a few days, or travelling in the shoulder months, can cut the fare noticeably.
- Compare direct and one-stop: a connection via Amsterdam, Dublin or Reykjavik often costs less than nonstop from Heathrow — weigh the saving against the extra time.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days, but you must apply online for an ESTA under the US Visa Waiver Programme before you travel, and carry a passport valid for the length of your stay. A small ESTA fee applies, payable by card. The local currency is the US dollar; cards are accepted almost everywhere and restaurant tips of around 18–20% are standard. No vaccinations are required for entry from the UK.