Seattle Alaska Cruise Port Parking Guide

Seattle serves as a major departure point for Alaska cruises, with most ships leaving from the Bell Street or Smith Cove cruise terminals. Parking options include official terminal lots, nearby private garages, and park-and-cruise facilities offering shuttle services. Reservations are highly recommended during peak cruise season. Some hotels near the port provide cruise parking packages for guests.

Quick Facts

Want to know more about Alaska departure ports and what they offer?

Understanding Seattle’s Cruise Terminals

Seattle’s two cruise terminals operate quite differently when it comes to parking. Bell Street Pier sits downtown near Pike Place Market and offers covered parking that’s incredibly convenient but fills up fast. Smith Cove Terminal is further north near the Magnolia neighborhood with a larger lot that tends to have more availability. Knowing which terminal your ship departs from matters because you’ll want to choose parking that matches your location.

Here’s something most people miss: the terminals don’t communicate with each other about parking. If you book parking at Bell Street but your ship actually leaves from Smith Cove, you’re stuck driving across town on embarkation morning. Double-check your cruise documents before booking anything.

Terminal Parking: The Convenient but Pricey Option

Official terminal parking puts you steps from the gangway, which sounds perfect until you calculate the total cost for a typical seven to ten-day Alaska cruise. The convenience factor is real though—you drive in, unload your bags, park, and walk to check-in without worrying about shuttles or timing.

The terminals accept both reservations and drive-ups, but here’s the insider tip: reserved spots guarantee you a place while drive-ups might get turned away during busy sailing days when multiple ships depart. If you’re set on terminal parking, book it when you book your cruise.

Terminal Parking Pros and Cons

• Pro: Maximum convenience with no shuttle coordination needed
• Pro: Covered parking at Bell Street protects your vehicle
• Pro: Security personnel on-site throughout your cruise
• Con: Highest price point among all parking options
• Con: Limited availability during peak sailing dates
• Con: No in-and-out privileges once you park

Off-Site Parking Facilities: The Budget-Friendly Choice

Private parking lots within a few miles of the cruise terminals typically charge half what you’d pay at the terminal itself. These facilities operate specifically for cruise passengers and include shuttle service to both Bell Street and Smith Cove terminals. Most shuttles run continuously during peak embarkation hours, though you should verify the schedule matches your ship’s boarding time.

Look for lots in the Pioneer Square, SoDo, and Lower Queen Anne neighborhoods. These areas position you close enough for quick shuttle rides but far enough away that daily rates drop significantly. Many of these facilities offer both indoor and outdoor parking, with indoor costing a few dollars more per day.

A word of caution about shuttle timing: some facilities stop running shuttles after morning embarkation hours and don’t resume until ships return. If you need to access your car mid-cruise for any reason, you’re out of luck. It’s rare that you’d need to, but it’s worth knowing.

Hotel Parking Packages: Hidden Value for Smart Planners

Several hotels near Seattle’s cruise terminals bundle cruise parking with a pre-cruise overnight stay. The math works surprisingly well: you get a room the night before sailing, breakfast, and parking for the duration of your cruise at a combined rate that often beats standalone parking costs.

This option solves multiple problems at once. You avoid embarkation morning travel stress, you’re already at the port area, and you’ve got a place to leave your car. Hotels typically shuttle you to the terminal on cruise day with your luggage, then you simply leave your keys with them.

The catch is availability. Hotels with these packages limit how many parking spots they allocate to cruise guests since they need spaces for regular hotel guests too. Book early or you’ll find these deals sold out.

DIY Parking: Public Lots and Street Parking

Some adventurous cruisers park in public lots or metered street spots near the terminals to save money. This strategy can work but comes with real risks. Seattle’s parking enforcement doesn’t care that you’re on a cruise, and you could return to tickets or even a towed vehicle if you miscalculate time limits or zone restrictions.

If you’re considering this route, forget it for cruises longer than three days. Most public parking maxes out at 72 hours. For short cruises, you’d need to research specific lots that allow extended parking and have someone able to move your car if problems arise.

Getting to the Terminal Without Parking

Not parking at all might be your smartest move depending on your situation. Transportation from Seattle’s airport to the cruise terminals runs frequently through shuttles, rideshares, and taxis. If someone can drop you off or you live locally, you eliminate parking costs and concerns entirely.

Some cruise passengers arrange one-way car rentals, driving into Seattle and dropping the rental at the airport or a downtown location before taking a quick rideshare to the terminal. Others use this opportunity to explore things to do in Seattle for a few days without worrying about where their car sits.

Comparing Vancouver Parking Options

Many Alaska cruises also depart from Vancouver, and comparing parking options at Vancouver’s cruise terminal might influence which departure port you choose. Vancouver’s terminal parking operates differently with its own pricing structure and availability patterns.

Bonus Tips for Seattle Cruise Parking

• Take photos of your parking spot location, level number, and any identifying markers—you’ll thank yourself when you return after a week at sea
• Screenshot your parking confirmation and shuttle service phone numbers in case you lose cell service or internet connection
• Remove all valuables from your car including things in your glove box—break-ins happen even in monitored lots
• Fill up your gas tank before parking since you’ll want to head straight home after your cruise, not search for a gas station while exhausted
• Check if your parking facility requires you to call for shuttle pickup on return day or if shuttles run automatically
• Arrive at your parking facility with extra time built in—shuttles can take longer than expected if they’re making multiple stops
• Ask about AAA, military, or senior discounts that many off-site lots offer but don’t advertise prominently
• Read recent reviews of parking facilities since ownership changes can affect service quality dramatically
• Confirm the parking lot’s policy on early arrival if you’re driving in the night before your cruise
• Keep your parking receipt in your carry-on, not in your checked luggage, since you’ll need it when you return

Common Questions and FAQ

Can I park an oversized vehicle like an RV or truck with a trailer at the cruise terminal?

Bell Street terminal doesn’t accommodate oversized vehicles due to height restrictions in the covered garage. Smith Cove has limited oversized parking but you must call ahead to reserve it specifically. Most off-site facilities can’t handle RVs or trailers either. Your best bet is finding dedicated RV storage in Seattle and taking a rideshare to the terminal.

What happens if my cruise returns late and I miss the parking lot’s shuttle service?

Most cruise parking facilities monitor ship arrival times and adjust their shuttle schedules accordingly. However, if you somehow miss the last shuttle, you’ll need to arrange a rideshare to your parking lot. This is why having the facility’s phone number saved is crucial—call them as soon as you know you’ll be late.

Do parking facilities offer any protection against vehicle damage while I’m gone?

Parking lots typically include language in their terms limiting liability for damage or theft. They provide basic security like fencing and sometimes cameras, but they’re not responsible for comprehensive protection. Check if your auto insurance covers long-term parking situations, and document your car’s condition with dated photos before leaving.

Can I leave items in my car while it’s parked during my cruise?

Technically yes, but it’s strongly discouraged. Even secure lots can’t guarantee nothing will happen, and leaving visible items invites problems. If you absolutely must leave something, hide it completely in the trunk before arriving at the lot—thieves watch parking facilities and note who puts valuables in their trunk right before walking away.

Is there a way to extend my parking if I decide to stay in Seattle a few days after my cruise?

Most facilities allow extensions if you call them before your original reservation ends. You’ll pay the additional days at their standard daily rate. Some lots charge more for post-cruise extensions than they quoted for your original cruise parking package, so ask about this policy upfront.

Personal Experience

Last summer, my family tackled the Seattle cruise port parking puzzle before our Alaska trip, and honestly, it made such a difference to figure it out beforehand. We almost booked parking right at the terminal—it was convenient, sure, but at nearly $35 a day for our ten-day cruise, the math wasn’t adding up. After some digging around, I found a few off-site lots within a mile of the port that charged about half that price and included free shuttle service. We ended up using one near Pioneer Square, and the shuttle had us at the terminal in less than ten minutes. The whole process was smooth, and we saved enough to splurge on an extra excursion in Juneau.

One tip that really helped: book your parking spot online at least a few weeks out. Prices creep up as your sailing date gets closer, and some of the better lots fill up completely during peak summer months. Also, read the fine print about shuttle schedules—some lots only run shuttles at specific times, which could be stressful if your ship boards early. We made sure ours had shuttles running from 6 AM onward, and it took all the worry out of the morning rush. A little homework on parking might not sound exciting, but it definitely beats starting your vacation stressed about money or logistics.