When you book a car from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), you choose how you’ll find your chauffeur: curbside, where the car meets you at the arrivals curb at no extra charge, or meet & greet, where your chauffeur waits for you inside the terminal for an extra $20. Both end in the same place: a clean black car, your bags in the trunk and a flat, all-inclusive fare. Here’s how each one works at Sea-Tac, and how to pick.
How curbside pickup works at Sea-Tac
Pre-arranged cars like ours pick up on the Arrival Drive, the lower drive, in the designated load-and-unload lanes. The upper drive is for departures only, so if anyone tells you to wait upstairs, that’s the wrong level.
- We track your flight, so your chauffeur knows when you actually land, early or late.
- You already have your chauffeur’s name and phone number: we text them to you 24 hours before your pickup.
- Collect your bags, then call or text your chauffeur when you’re ready to walk outside.
- Your chauffeur pulls up to the lower-drive curb and loads your luggage.
Best for: travelers who know Sea-Tac, carry-on-only business trips and anyone who wants the quickest exit. Curbside pickup is included in your flat rate.
How meet & greet works at Sea-Tac
With meet & greet, your chauffeur parks in the designated limousine stalls on the third floor of the parking garage (the Ground Transportation Plaza), then comes into the terminal to meet you, usually at baggage claim. They help with your bags and walk you to the car.
Meet & greet is an extra $20 on top of your flat rate. Ask for it when you book.
Best for: first-time visitors, international arrivals, families with car seats and lots of luggage, executives and VIP guests you’re hosting, and anyone who’d rather not hunt for a car after a long flight.
Curbside vs. meet & greet at a glance
| Curbside | Meet & greet | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you meet | Lower Arrival Drive curb | Inside the terminal, usually baggage claim |
| Help with bags | At the car | From baggage claim to the car |
| Speed | Fastest if you’re ready when the car arrives | A short walk to the garage |
| Price | Included in your flat rate | $20 extra |
| Good for | Frequent flyers, light luggage | First-timers, international flights, families, VIP guests |
Wait time and flight tracking
Flights run late, and customs lines run long. That’s why every Black Diamond airport pickup includes real-time flight tracking and complimentary wait time counted from when your plane reaches the gate:
- Domestic flights: 30 minutes free once the plane is at the gate
- International flights: 45 minutes free once the plane is at the gate, to allow for customs
After that, waiting time is billed at a flat $1 per minute. You’ll know this before you book, so there are no surprises.
Tips for a smooth Sea-Tac pickup
- Add your flight number when you book. It’s how we track delays and adjust your pickup time automatically.
- Turn your phone on as soon as you land. A quick text when you reach baggage claim saves minutes.
- Choose meet & greet for international arrivals. Customs times vary, and your chauffeur will be waiting inside when you come out.
- Tell us about car seats, skis or extra bags. Car seats are priced into your quote, and we’ll send the right vehicle: a sedan, an SUV, or Sprinter vans for groups of any size, up to 14 per van.
- Book your ride back to the airport at the same time. It’s locked in at a flat rate too.
Which vehicle should you book from Sea-Tac?
Every quote is a flat, all-inclusive rate with taxes, fees and gratuity included, and no charge for luggage. Starting prices by vehicle:
- Executive Sedan (1–3 passengers, about 3 bags): from $120
- Executive SUV (1–6 passengers, about 6 bags): from $144
- First Class Sedan or SUV: for VIP guests and special occasions
- Sprinter van (up to 9, or up to 14 at full capacity, per van): from $250, with more vans for bigger groups
Count your bags as well as your people. Two travelers with four large suitcases and a set of golf clubs will be happier in an SUV than a sedan, and a family with car seats needs the room too. See the full fleet.
Popular rides from Sea-Tac
Most of our airport rides run between Sea-Tac and downtown Seattle, the Eastside and the cruise piers. Typical drive times in normal traffic:
- Sea-Tac to Bellevue: usually 25 to 40 minutes. Bellevue car service
- Sea-Tac to Redmond or Kirkland: about 45 minutes. Redmond and Kirkland car service
- Sea-Tac to the cruise piers: usually 30 to 45 minutes to Pier 66 or Pier 91. Seattle cruise transportation
- Sea-Tac to Everett: about an hour. Everett car service
Rush hour, game days and busy cruise mornings add time, which is one more reason flight tracking matters: your chauffeur adjusts to when you really land, not when you were scheduled to.
Flying out of Sea-Tac
For departures, your chauffeur picks you up at home, the office or your hotel and drops you on the upper Departures Drive, right outside your airline. Book both directions at the same time and both rides are locked in at a flat rate. Need a stop on the way, such as picking up a colleague? Each extra stop is $20.
What to expect in the car
- Your chauffeur is assigned 24 hours before your pickup, and you get their name and phone number by text.
- Premium bottled water is waiting in every vehicle.
- Wi-Fi is available on request: ask when you book, as not every vehicle has it.
- Cancellation is free more than 24 hours before pickup.
Why book a car instead of a rideshare at Sea-Tac?
Rideshare pickups at Sea-Tac happen on the third floor of the garage, and drivers can cancel or keep you waiting at busy times. A pre-booked car is guaranteed. Your chauffeur is already tracking your flight, the price is fixed with gratuity included, and the vehicle is a clean, fully insured black car. See how we compare with Uber Black and Lyft Black.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I meet my driver at Sea-Tac?
For curbside pickup, on the lower Arrival Drive in the load-and-unload lanes. For meet & greet, your chauffeur meets you inside the terminal, usually at baggage claim, and walks you to the car on the third floor of the parking garage.
Is meet & greet extra?
Yes, inside meet & greet is $20. Curbside pickup is included in your flat rate.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
Nothing changes for you. We track your flight and adjust the pickup to your actual landing time, and your free wait time starts when the plane reaches the gate.
How much does a car from Sea-Tac cost?
Rides start from $120, all-inclusive, depending on your destination and vehicle. You’ll see your exact flat rate before you book.
Can you pick up a group at Sea-Tac?
Yes. We send SUVs, and Sprinter vans for up to 9 or up to 14 passengers per van, with more vans for bigger groups. Tell us how many bags you have so we send the right vehicles.
When do I get my chauffeur’s details?
Your chauffeur is assigned 24 hours before your pickup, and we text you their name and phone number.
Can I cancel my airport ride?
Yes. Cancellation is free more than 24 hours before pickup.
Ready to book your Sea-Tac pickup? Book online in a few minutes, or call (425) 470-2972, 24/7. Learn more about our SeaTac airport car service.