Seattle on a Budget (How to Eat, Stay & Do It All Cheaply)

👉 Jump to:Budget Tips | Cheap & Free Things to Do | Where to Stay | Cheap Eats | FAQ

I’m a long-time Seattle local with solid recommendations on how to visit Seattle on a budget!

I’ve navigated this city as a broke college student and beyond, and have picked up some serious money-saving tips in the 10+ years I’ve been here. In this guide, I share these valuable insights, along with cheap and free things to do in Seattle.

I also overview affordable places to stay, inexpensive and delicious eats, and so much more. Get a truer sense of the city with this ultimate Seattle travel guide for frugal visitors!

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7 Tips to Do Seattle on a Budget

Tip #1 – Use Seattle’s Public Transit

Seattle’s public transportation is solid and taking advantage of it is one of the best cost-saving travel tips I can give. Between the light rail, buses, monorail, and streetcars, you can get around Seattle easily, saving you the cost of a rental car. 

During summer months, there are even buses that will take you to several notable hikes near Seattle, so don’t feel like you have to miss out on any Pacific Northwest adventuring just because you don’t have a car.

Buy an ORCA card to eliminate the need for exact cash. Spend $3 on one and load it up right at the Airport Station, any other stop along the light rail, or on the myORCA app. You can use it for the entirety of your trip!

Tip #2 – Stay Outside of Downtown Seattle

Downtown is where a majority of the top Seattle attractions are so naturally this is where you’ll find the majority of hotels and the highest prices. 

Unless you’re going to stay in one of the cheaper hostels in the downtown area, I suggest avoiding staying here altogether. Downtown is the main hub for buses, but you can find good access to public transit in other neighborhoods too.

And don’t worry — we’ll go over some of the best areas to stay on a budget further down this list. 

Tip #3 – Skip the Sit-Down Restaurants

The many great restaurants in Seattle make it a foodie’s dream, but the prices at many of these restaurants will make it a budgeter’s nightmare. Between food, drinks, and tips, you’ll probably end up spending $35+ on a meal for one at a decent restaurant. 

Get around these costs and still get a good taste of Seattle by getting your bites from bars, food trucks, delis, and hole-in-the-wall takeaway joints. Choosing these over your more traditional restaurant options will mean you can enjoy some seriously delicious eats at a lower cost.

To get your taste buds ready, check out my complete Seattle food guide!

Tip #4 – Take Advantage of Happy Hours

Are there sit-down restaurants you want to enjoy with expenses you can’t justify? Don’t write them off completely. First, check to see if they have a happy hour and plan your meal around that if so.

Sure, your menu options might be a bit more limited, but you’ll still get to sample some good food at a much more reasonable price.  

Tip #5 – Purchase A Seattle CityPASS

Purchasing a Seattle CityPASS mitigates high ticket prices making it perfect for those who want some of the city’s most popular tourist attractions on their Seattle itinerary.

A CityPASS gives you discounted admission tickets to the Space Needle, Seattle Aquarium, Museum of Pop Culture, and more! This is especially great if you want to enjoy most of the Seattle Center attractions. You’ll save nearly 50% by taking advantage of this good deal and purchasing a CityPASS in lieu of tickets at the door.

Tip #6 – Time Your Visit to Seattle Well

Summer is the most popular season to visit Seattle, but you shouldn’t limit yourself to it. I often recommend coming during the shoulder seasons. May-June and September-October are absolutely beautiful and not as crowded.

And don’t pass up November through April, either. Yes, these are the coldest and rainiest months, but they’re still good times to also do many of the free and cheap activities in Seattle. Airfare and lodging costs are often much lower during these months as well.

Tip #7 – Walk or Bike Onto the Ferries

You’ll save a lot of money by walking or biking instead of driving onto the ferries. There are plenty of bike rental shops in Seattle, so you don’t need to worry about bringing your own. And you can save around $20 or more by choosing these options.

9 Cheap & Free Things to Do in Seattle

Seattle’s City Parks

Hike through the prettiest parts of the city.

🌐 Website

The city parks in Seattle are phenomenal and provide endless options for recreation. Hike through Discovery Park. Take pictures of the skyline at Kerry Park, and watch for seals and herons at Lincoln Park.

Admire contemporary art at Olympic Sculpture Park, a stunning nine-acre park with waterfront views. Take young kids to the wading pool at Volunteer Park, or let them run wild at the playground at Green Lake. 

Seattle parks are well-maintained and gorgeous in every season. They’re one of the best places to enjoy Seattle cheaply, especially if you’d like to do some outdoor excursions.

Pike Place Market

Explore every nook and cranny of Seattle’s famous market.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 682-7453 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: free

Even budget travelers can enjoy the famous Pike Place Market!

Wander through the open-air market and check out beautiful flower arrangements, buy fresh produce from local vendors, and grab free samples of cinnamon-orange tea from MarketSpice. Don’t neglect the underground, which has some other cool shops.

Grab a pastry from Mee Sum Pastries, Piroshky Piroshky, or the myriad of other eateries if you get hungry. You could go in with a strict plan, but I tend to just wander through the market and see what grabs my attention on any particular visit. I suggest budget travelers do the same.

Free Museum Days and Art Walks

Immerse yourself in Seattle’s art scene.

Museum and art lovers interested in Seattle’s culture, history, and art scene should take advantage of the free museum days on the first Thursday of the month. You’ll be able to visit places like the Seattle Art Museum, Museum of History and Industry, Burke Museum, and more completely free of charge.

Unable to make it on that specific day? Certain museums in Seattle, like the Frye Art Museum and the Klondike Gold Rush Museum, are always free.

You can also check out monthly neighborhood Art Walks which feature work from local artists. The most popular and longest-running Art Walk is the one in Pioneer Square which has dozens of beautiful art galleries to explore.

👉 Short on Time? Just follow my perfect 1 day in Seattle itinerary!

T-Mobile Park

Watch Seattle’s favorite baseball team.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 346-4000 | Website | Entrance: $10+

You don’t have to drop loads of cash to get into T-Mobile Park to watch a game. Seats run as low as $10 during select value games, and even if your seats aren’t the greatest, you can go down to the Pen and watch the game from directly next to center field. 

You can even save money on food in the park! The Mariners Value Menu has hot dogs, beers, nachos, peanuts, and more for around $3-$6. Or you can grab a Seattle dog from a vendor outside the park. These usually cost around $5 and are super satisfying.

Ferry to Bainbridge Island

Take a day trip to an island with a cozy, art-loving community.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (888) 808-7977 | Website | Entrance: $9.85 ($1.00 bike surcharge), adults, Free, youth (ages 18 & under)

Taking a day trip is a great way to get a breather from the big city, and Bainbridge Island is the best day trip from Seattle for budget travelers. You don’t need a car to explore it you’ll get a chance to ride the ferry over there. 

Walk or bike onto the ferry. When you arrive, it’s just a short walk over to Winslow which harbors the bulk of the Bainbridge Island attractions.

Check out the cute boutiques with clever gifts, admire contemporary art at the (free!) museum, and grab some delicious pastries from Blackbird Bakery.

The Center for Wooden Boats

Get on the water at South Lake Union.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 382-2628 | Website | Hours: typically between 10 am – 6 pm Saturday-Sunday, 12 pm – 7 pm Wednesday-Friday (hours change seasonally), Closed Mondays & Tuesdays | Entrance: free

Opportunities to get on the water are plentiful in Seattle, given all the lakes in the city. The Center for Wooden Boats in the South Lake Union neighborhood is one of the best places to do this. 

This free-to-enter museum aims to educate visitors on the Pacific Northwest’s maritime history. Walk along the dock and admire all the antique boats or choose a hands-on learning experience — you can rent one of their peapod row-boats for free.

The peapods can hold up to five people, making this a good activity for families or groups. CWB also offers rentals for canoes, kayaks, and small or large sailboats. Prices start at $35. 

Ballard Locks

View Lake Union’s connection to the sea.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 780-2500 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 9 pm daily | Entrance: free

Walking around the Ballard Locks is a prototypical Seattle experience, especially if you’re up in Ballard. The locks are where saltwater Puget Sound meets freshwater Lake Washington. You can watch the intriguing process of the boats passing through the ship canal from one body of water to the next.

You’ll also find a fish ladder for salmon spawning at the Locks. There’s even a viewing gallery where you can see the salmon run (depending on the season).

The final attraction at the Locks is the Charles S. English Jr Botanical Garden. Bring a picnic here to watch all the activity at Locks or take a peaceful stroll along the paths.

Coffee Tourism

Get a taste of some seriously good coffee.

Check out the myriad of unique coffee shops in Seattle! This is where you’ll find locals on any day of the year.

Warm up with a steaming pour-over on a rainy day and enjoy a cappuccino and pastry for breakfast. Grab an espresso to refuel midday or just kick back, relax, and read a book while you sip something delicious (in my case, a dirty chai).  

Go to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery for a tour and tasting, or to a cozy, independent coffee shop around the corner from wherever you’re staying. Either way, you’ll leave with an understanding of why Seattlites are so obsessed with this beverage (and maybe even with a bag of your new favorite beans). 

Seek Out the Epic Views

Find spots with the best views of Seattle.

Puget Sound, the Olympics, Mount Rainier… Seattle has some pretty epic surroundings. And these all make for epic views. I encourage all budget travelers to seek them out. 

Find the best view of the iconic Seattle skyline, snap a photo of Mount Rainier on a clear day, or watch the Olympic Mountains become illuminated by the sunset.

A few of my favorite (free) spots to enjoy a breathtaking view are the Seattle waterfront, Kerry Park, the Jose Rizal Bridge, and West Seattle’s Jack Block Park.

👉 Read Next: 32 Best Places to Visit in Washington State (By a Local)

Where to Stay in Seattle on a Budget

In general, the further you move from the downtown area, the more budget-friendly your accommodation. The biggest exception to this rule is if you’re staying in one of the hostels downtown. 

Otherwise, some of the best spots are Seattle neighborhoods with multiple public transit options (particularly ones along the light rail), and that are very walkable themselves. 

Check out my guide on where to stay in Seattle for a complete breakdown of recommended areas. For now, we’ll dive into the ones that will give you the best bang for your buck.

University District

👉 Best Area For Families, the Majority of Budget Travelers | ✨ Best Budget Hotel: Graduate Seattle

The University District in north Seattle is my top budget-friendly neighborhood pick. Not only are the hotels more affordable, but there are tons of tasty and inexpensive cafes, bars, and eateries in the area (primarily along the Ave).

The light rail has two stops in the University District, providing easy access to downtown, south Seattle, and as far north as Northgate. Fremont, Ballard, and Wallingford are all west of the U-District. Go to any of them to familiarize yourself with more of Seattle’s quirky culture.

It’s home to the University of Washington, so the U-District has distinctive college-town vibes. Depending on when you visit, the neighborhood may be packed with college students.

Downtown Seattle

👉 Best Area For Solo Travelers, Being Close to Everything | ✨ Best Budget Hotel: Green Tortoise Hostel

Staying in a hostel is the exception to my “don’t stay in downtown Seattle if you want to save money” tip. The Green Tortoise Hostel is downtown Seattle’s best hostel, and it’s the perfect option for the person who wants to be in the center of it all.

Stay here to have ample public transit options to get you anywhere else in the city. You’ll be close to the ferry terminal, Pike Place Market, the waterfront, and more of Seattle’s main attractions. 

This is one of the best options for people who plan on spending most of their time outside of their lodging and don’t mind the most basic amenities. It’s also a particularly good option for solo travelers who want to make friends and meet with fellow travelers visiting Seattle.

Capitol Hill

👉 Best Area For Couples and Groups | ✨ Best Budget Hotel: The Art Inn

Capitol Hill is one of Seattle’s coolest neighborhoods and while there aren’t as many affordable hotel options, there are plenty of budget-friendly rentals. The light rail stops on the Hill and numerous bus lines service the area too. 

No, Capitol Hill is not the cheapest place in Seattle. However, it has a high volume of restaurants, bars, shops, coffee shops, and grocery stores. This makes it a good option for travelers who plan on going to happy hours, eating bar food, cooking in their rental, or cutting out other expenses (like a rental car – Cap Hill is super walkable!)

The convenient location, vibrant nightlife, and fun atmosphere make this neighborhood a great choice for couples or friends who want to spend time in a very lively area.

Cheap Eats in Seattle

Bar food, happy hours, delis, and food truck bites are some of the best options for eating cheaply without sacrificing taste in Seattle. There are spots you can do this all over the city. Here are a few of my faves.

Xi’an Noodles

Chinese

📍 Google Maps | Website | Price Range: ($)

This U-District favorite serves tasty and affordable Chinese hand-pulled noodles among other dishes. Generous portions make the food here a filling lunch or dinner. The spicy cumin lamb noodles are beyond good.

Off the Rez Cafe

Native American Fry Bread

📍 Google Maps | Website | Price Range: ($$)

Sweet and savory fry bread and Indian tacos are what you can expect from this Native American eatery in the Burke Museum. At $7 for a generously loaded taco and $5 for a sweet fry bread, it’s nearly impossible to pass up.

Tacos Chukis

Mexican

📍 Google Maps(multiple other locations) | Website | Price Range: ($)

Taco Chukis serves some of the best quick and inexpensive Mexican food in the city. Enjoy a variety of delicious tacos, burritos, tortas, and more from this Seattle staple. The service is always kind and speedy, the food is always tasty, and the prices are perfect. 

Twilight Exit

American, Bar Food

📍 Google Maps | Website | Price Range: ($$)

Want delicious, affordable bar food along with cheap, strong drinks in a laidback dive bar atmosphere? Look no further than Twilight Exit, which makes nearly all of its food in house.

I highly recommend ordering the nachos and coming on a Sunday evening for karaoke to get the full Twilight Exit experience. 

Marination Ma Kai

Hawaiian-Korean Fusion

📍 Google Maps | Website | Price Range: ($$)

Hawaiian fare meets Korean cuisine at this West Seattle restaurant. Grab some kimchi fried rice and aloha sliders (easy to split between two!), and enjoy your food with one of the best views in Seattle. 

Donburi Station

Japanese

📍 Google Maps | Website | Price Range: ($$)

Donburi Station is the place to go if you crave teriyaki, katsu, and any other kind of donburi. Its large portions mean you can easily get 2 meals out of one order. Add a side of gyoza, pork curry, or edamame to top off this delicious and comforting meal.  

Dick’s Burgers

Burgers

📍 Google Maps (multiple other locations) | Website | Price Range: ($)

This is one of the cheapest options for Seattle eats, and it’s a classic (Sir Mix-a-Lot even rapped about it). Come to Dick’s for non-fussy late-night eats in the form of fries, burgers, and milkshakes. There’s almost always a line, but it’s never a long wait, and you can easily spend under $10 for a satisfying meal. 

Saigon Vietnam Deli

Vietnamese

📍 Google Maps | Website | Price Range: ($)

Saigon Vietnam Deli is one of Seattle’s best Vietnamese delis. It has a wide variety of Vietnamese food, desserts, and bubble tea. The Bahn Mi are the most popular item, and it’s easy to see why – they’re just $6, fresh and flavorful, and super filling.

FAQs on How to Save Money in Seattle

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Now you know how to visit Seattle on a budget! Safe travels and enjoy your stay in the Emerald City.