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Northgate Station’s elevated concrete and glass exterior above its paved pedestrian approach
Seattle Guide

Seattle Metro: How to Use Northgate Station from North Seattle

Northgate Station connects North Seattle with Sound Transit’s Link light rail and several King County Metro bus routes. Here’s how to plan a ride, pay your fare and check for service changes before setting out.

Published 3 min read

By Maya Rutledge

Northgate Station is a Sound Transit Link light rail stop in North Seattle, with connections to King County Metro buses. For the Seattle metro, it’s a useful place to start when planning a trip toward downtown Seattle, SeaTac / Airport, Bellevue or Redmond, depending on the line you take.

  • Northgate Station serves both the 1 Line and 2 Line.
  • From a motel in Seattle, the station is about a 4-minute drive or a 24-minute walk.
  • Trains run seven days a week, every 8, 10 or 15 minutes depending on the time of day.
  • The adult one-way fare for the 1 and 2 Lines is $3.00; tickets must be bought before boarding.
Start with Northgate Station

Start with Northgate Station

Northgate Station is an accessible Link light rail station with connections to several King County Metro routes. Its position on both the 1 Line and 2 Line makes it a useful starting point for checking routes across Seattle and the Eastside.

For a Seattle metro map, use Sound Transit’s route and station information to confirm your line and destination. The 1 Line runs between Lynnwood City Center and Federal Way Downtown, with stops at Northgate, downtown Seattle and SeaTac / Airport. The 2 Line runs between Lynnwood City Center and Downtown Redmond, serving Northgate and stations in Bellevue and Redmond.

If you’re travelling onward by bus, check the station’s bay information as part of your plan. King County Metro routes 40, 61, 67, 75, 345, 348 and 365 serve Bay 1; routes 303, 322 and 512 serve Bay 3; and routes 40, 61, 322, 345, 348 and 365 serve Bay 4.

Fares, passes and service updates

Fares, passes and service updates

The adult one-way fare on the 1 and 2 Lines is $3.00 for riders aged 19–64. A day pass costs twice the one-way fare and is valid only on the date purchased.

Youth aged 18 and under ride Sound Transit services free; the one-way fare is $1.00 for eligible senior or disabled riders and for eligible low-income adults using ORCA LIFT.

You can pay with an ORCA card, a contactless credit or debit card or device, or a ticket from a station machine. Buy a ticket before boarding. Tap before boarding; you don’t need to tap off after a Link ride.

Before heading to the station, check Sound Transit’s Service Alerts page for disruptions and consider signing up for text or email Rider Alerts. If the 1 Line is disrupted, Sound Transit recommends using its trip planner and filtering results to “bus only” to find an alternative.

Connecting to Northgate Station

Connecting to Northgate Station

Northgate Station connects Link light rail with King County Metro buses. Once there, match your bus route to its bay, or follow the Link line that serves your destination.

Check the line, service status and any bus connection together before leaving so you can confirm whether your planned route is running and which station connection to use.

FAQs

Which Link lines stop at Northgate Station?

Both the 1 Line and 2 Line stop at Northgate. The 1 Line serves downtown Seattle and SeaTac / Airport; the 2 Line serves Bellevue and Redmond.

How often do trains run from Northgate?

Trains on the 1 and 2 Lines run every 8, 10 or 15 minutes, depending on the time of day.

Can you buy a Link ticket at Northgate Station?

Yes. You can buy a ticket at a station machine, but you must purchase it before boarding. ORCA and contactless payment are also accepted.

How do you check for Link service disruptions?

Check Sound Transit’s Service Alerts page or sign up for text or email Rider Alerts. For a 1 Line disruption, use the trip planner’s “bus only” filter to find an alternative.

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