Seattle Monorail now accepts ORCA cards

By Katie Metzger

October 7, 2019

It just got a lot easier to connect to Seattle Center via light rail or bus.

As of today, Oct. 7, ORCA cards can be used to pay for your monorail fare.

This makes the already popular mode of transport (with 2 million annual passengers) an even better option for commuters and students traveling between the Seattle Center and Westlake Station in downtown Seattle.

The monorail celebrated joining the ORCA family with balloons, giveaways and higher than usual ridership.

An Orca-shaped balloon is outside the entrance to the Seattle Center Monorail. — Joining the ORCA program is cause for celebration.

Using their ORCA cards, riders can now transfer from buses or trains to the monorail without paying for a new ticket.

And getting to the monorail from Link light rail at Westlake Station is easy – there's an elevator from the mezzanine up to the terminal on the third floor of Westlake Center.

A woman stands by the elevator in the Westlake Station mezzanine that goes to the monorail terminal. — This elevator goes to Westlake Center and the monorail terminal.

If you’re using your ORCA card to ride the monorail, line up at the regular ticket booths and present your card to the cashier.

After a quick tap with a handheld reader, you’ll be able to board the monorail, which runs every 10 minutes between Westlake Station and the Seattle Center. You'll travel 25 feet above ground (and traffic) for the two minute trip.

The monorail opened in 1962 for the world’s fair, alongside the iconic Space Needle. With significant renovations over the past 12 years, it can still provide a convenient and reliable ride well into the 21st century (and it’s super fun).

An aerial view of the monorail passing by the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). — The monorail passes by the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) on its way to Seattle Center.

Here are some other attractions that became more accessible to ORCA card holders.

An image of the Armory at Seattle Center, which has shops, restaurants, a museum and a school. — The Seattle Center Armory is home to eateries, theaters, a museum and The Center School, a Seattle public high school.

An image of the Pacific Science Center sign, with the Space Needle in the background. — Discover something new at the Pacific Science Center.

Two people stand on the new glass floor of the Space Needle, looking out the windows toward downtown Seattle. — Seattle's iconic Space Needle has the first and only rotating glass floor in the world.

With the new ORCA availability, fare for all monorail riders will be increased. One-way fares for adults are now $3, while youth, senior, disabled and ORCA Lift customers pay $1.50.

If your PugetPass or transfer value is less than the monorail fare, pay the difference with E-purse or cash.

Learn how to get an ORCA card here.

And enjoy the ride!