King Street Station (Amtrak Station)
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 382-4125
- Cross Street:
- 3rd Avenue S
- Directions:
- King Street Station is located northeast of the Qwest Field and just across the street from Union Station. It's just two blocks from the bus tunnel's International District station. You can also reach it from Interstate 90 or Interstate 5 by taking the Qwest Field/Ferries/Fourth Avenue South exit. From the exit, turn left onto Fourth Avenue South, left again onto South Jackson Street, left on Second Avenue South, and left onto South King Street, where the station's main entrance is located. It's also a good idea to see if events are planned at the stadium to determine how much time you might need to park.
- Hours:
- Hours vary
Editorial Review for King Street Station (Amtrak Station) – by Citysearch Editors
The Background
This station, rundown and grimy and a mere reflection of its glory days, when it opened in 1906 as the end-of-the-line railway station for the Great Northern Railroad. King Street Station was designed by the architectural team of Reed and Stem, who also designed New York's Grand Central Station. You have to look hard to find any resemblance, what with peeling paint, dirty floors and an austere waiting room whose most striking feature is the seats: vinyl, tiny and uncomfortable.
The Experience
To get a feeling for what the place looked like long ago, look up as you enter. There's a grand, ornate cast-plaster ceiling that deserves to have a chandelier hanging from it. Instead there's a bare light bulb. Walk to the left and see the shadow of a "Baggage" sign, mosaic gold and green tiles, cast-plaster walls and oak doorways.
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Insider Tips
Know Before You GoThis is where you purchase Amtrak tickets; the place is packed and the lines are long during the holiday and summer season.
ParkingThere's limited metered street parking, a few free one-hour Amtrak spots that are rarely empty and an expensive pay lot.
User Reviews for King Street Station (Amtrak Station)
01/23/2008 Posted by gatesballard
Thought I'd post the phone number here in case you leave something on a train or in the station. It took me some digging to find the number: King St Station Lost n Found 382-4713 The person I spoke with for my lost and found items was helpful, though I did not find the book.
09/28/2006 Posted by netter1
Seattle King Street Station, now used exclusively by Amtrak passenger trains and the local commuter trains, is a great example of America's travel history. From it's amazing mosaic tiled floor to the soaring clock tower, you can see evidence of it's better life. Although this year (2006) celebrates the station's 100th anniversary, neither the city nor Amtrak have made an effort to restore the grand old "lady". The streets outside are uneven and riddled with potholes. The mosaic tiled floor has seen much better days, showing wear with large fractures throughout. The passenger waiting area is filled with seating that would have been new in the 70's, but is now missing arms and starting to tear. As train stations go, I've seen smaller and more dilapidated, but they could have put a little more effort (or any at all) to improve it for it's milestone year.
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