Beat Traffic to the Seahawks NFC Championship: Sound Transit Offers Expanded Game Day Service
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Seattle sports fans heading to Sunday’s NFC Championship game between the Seahawks and the Rams have a convenient alternative to battling highway congestion: expanded service from Sound Transit. The agency is bolstering its regular rail and bus options to provide seamless transportation to and from Lumen Field, offering a stress-free game day experience.
With ongoing highway construction impacting travel times throughout the region, Sound Transit is positioning its services as a time- and money-saving solution for fans. The special service will be in effect on Sunday, January 25th, for the 3:30 p.m. matchup.
Sounder Train Schedules for Seahawks Fans
Sounder trains will be running special schedules on the S Line, originating from Lakewood. The first inbound train departs Lakewood at 11:51 a.m., stopping at all S Line stations through Sumner before arriving at King Street Station at 1:07 p.m. A second S Line train leaves Lakewood at 12:11 p.m., serving all stations and arriving at King Street Station at 1:27 p.m.
Following the game, return trains on the S Line will depart King Street Station approximately 10 minutes – or as soon as the train is full – and 45 minutes after the game concludes, serving all stations along the route.
Fans traveling from Snohomish County can utilize the N Line. The inbound train departs Everett at 12:45 p.m., with stops in Mukilteo and Edmonds, arriving at King Street Station at 1:44 p.m. The return N Line train to Everett will depart King Street Station 45 minutes after the final whistle. Parking is available at all Sounder stations, and a comprehensive schedule specifically for Seahawks games can be found at https://www.soundtransit.org/seahawks.
Link Light Rail and Bus Connections
Beyond Sounder, Sound Transit’s Link light rail offers frequent service. The 1 Line runs every 10 minutes on weekends and serves 23 stations, extending from Lynnwood to Angle Lake, including key stops like Northgate, the University of Washington, downtown Seattle, and SeaTac. Three recently opened stations in South King County – Kent Des Moines (500 stalls), Star Lake (1,105 stalls), and Federal Way Downtown (1,565 stalls) – provide additional park-and-ride options. These facilities, along with existing garages at stations like Angle Lake and Northgate, were reported to have availability prior to last Saturday’s Seahawks game.
Local bus agencies also integrate with Sound Transit, providing connections to both Sounder and Link stations, as well as park-and-ride locations. The Link 1 Line’s Stadium and International District/Chinatown stations are within walking distance of Lumen Field, while numerous ST Express and King County Metro buses drop passengers nearby. Eastside residents can connect to stadium-bound bus routes via the Link 2 Line. Schedules for Link and ST Express can be found at soundtransit.org/schedule, and King County Metro schedules at kingcounty.gov/metro/schedules.
Streamlining Your Game Day Travel
Regular fares apply for all Sound Transit services. To avoid potential lines at ticket vending machines after the game, riders are encouraged to purchase a Day Pass at their originating station. Alternatively, one-way tickets and Day Passes are available through the Transit GO Ticket app.
For frequent riders, an ORCA card offers a convenient payment solution. The card itself costs $3 for adults, with riders able to load funds for pay-as-you-go travel or purchase unlimited-ride passes. ORCA LIFT fares are available for low-income adult passengers, and reduced fares are offered to seniors (65+) and riders with disabilities. ORCA cards are accepted on trains, buses, and ferries throughout the Puget Sound region; more information can be found at www.myORCA.com.
A few tips for a smoother journey: riders on the S Line may find the northernmost cars at the front of the train less crowded, and the second S Line train generally offers more space than the first. Remember to tap your ORCA card both when boarding and exiting Sounder stations.
