Transportation to the Seahawks game Sunday Jan 18 against Green Bay

Photo courtesy WSDOT

Here's what you need to know about getting to the big game, getting home, and navigating around the traffic for the Seahawks vs Green Bay Packers NFC Championship Game at CenturyLink Field on Sunday, January 18, 2015. Kick off at 12pm (for the 12th Man)

WSDOT

As we anxiously countdown to Sunday’s NFC Championship Game when the Seattle Seahawks take on the Green Bay Packers at CenturyLink Field, we want to pass along some information that could affect your travel plans. And of course, go Hawks!

Expect about 2,000 enthusiastic fans sporting their blue and green pride at Westlake Park in downtown Seattle from 11am to 1pm Friday, Jan. 16. The Seahawks Playoff Rally will close Pine Street between 4th and 5th avenues. Except delays if you are in the area.

Now, to game day. The I-90 express lanes will operate westbound from 7am to 2pm on Sunday, Jan. 18. Lanes will be eastbound by 3pm. The I-5 express lanes will operate on a normal weekend schedule. We often get a lot of questions about why we don’t adjust the I-5 schedule for big games like this one when 68,000 fans are expected to attend. There are tricky statistics behind it. See recent traffic studies for more information. And just to emphasize my earlier statement… go Hawks!

SOUND TRANSIT

Seattle Seahawks fans can take Sound Transit's special Sounder trains to the Seahawks NFC championship game this Sunday. Special Sounder service to the 12:05pm game is in addition to regular Link light rail and ST Express bus services to and from the stadium area.

Seattle-bound trains from Snohomish County will depart Everett at 9:15 and 9:30am with stops in Mukilteo and Edmonds, arriving at King Street Station at 10:14 and 10:29am.

Return trains to Everett will leave Seattle 15 and 75 minutes after the game. The last outbound train will depart later than normal to allow fans time to participate in post-game activities. An online schedule of Sounder trains serving Seahawks games is available here, 

As part of game-day festivities, riders can pick up "I'm In!" rally signs provided by the Seahawks at all Sounder stations.

Sounder game day trains have grown popular over the years. Ridership on special Sounder train service was up 35 percent in the third quarter of last year, and served more than 33,000 riders during the same period.

Many ST Express buses also drop off passengers near the stadium. Link and ST Express bus schedules are available here. 

Regular fares apply for all Sound Transit services.

METRO TRANSIT

Football fans can climb on King County Metro Transit game day shuttles to the Seahawks playoff game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Jan. 18.

Shuttles require cash fare and leave specific park-and-ride locations two hours before kickoff, and return to those park-and-rides after the game. Travelers in the SODO, Pioneer Square and downtown Seattle areas can expect traffic congestion and delays before and after Seahawks games.

Metro’s non-stop Seahawks shuttles leave the Northgate Transit Center beginning two hours before kick-off. Each shuttle will leave as it is filled. The last shuttle leaves for the game about 35 minutes before kickoff. All pre-game shuttles arrive near CenturyLink Field on Fifth Avenue South at South Weller Street.

Seahawk shuttle fare information

• Cash-only fare is $4 each way or $8 for a round trip.
• No ORCA cards, transfers or passes are accepted for the Seahawk shuttles.
• Exact change is required.
• Buses returning to the park and rides leave from Fifth Avenue South at South Weller Street. Details are on Metro’s Seahawks shuttle page.

For information about regular transit service to Seahawks games, or to plan other trips, visit Metro Online or Metro’s online Trip Planner. After planning your trip, check Metro’s alerts page to find out about any planned revisions to your routes. Also, the Puget Sound Trip Planner app is available for Apple and Android devices.