StayAreasIs University District a good place to stay in Seattle?
Yes, if you want cheaper rooms with fast light rail into the centre. The Link reaches Westlake in minutes and runs to the airport, and the Ave is full of cheap places to eat.
Stay here if
- Budget travellers
- Visitors to the University of Washington
- Husky Stadium game days
Look elsewhere if
- You want to walk to Pike Place Market
- You'd rather avoid a student scene
- You want polished restaurants and bars
Is it safe?
Less street crime than the Seattle average.
Source: Seattle Police Department open dataHotels in University District
All University District hotels on Booking ↗Typical rates for a double outside peak events, not live prices. Updated Oct 2026 · How we rate areas · Booking through our links costs you nothing extra and may earn us a commission. Learn more
Staying in University District
The University District is a good base if you want lower prices and fast light rail into downtown. It surrounds the University of Washington, north of the Ship Canal, and U District and University of Washington stations on the Link light rail reach Westlake in minutes. The same line runs direct to the airport.
The neighbourhood is young, busy and casual. University Way NE, known as the Ave, is packed with cheap noodle bars, cafés and bookshops, while the campus next door has grand Gothic-style buildings, the Suzzallo Library and the Quad. The Burke Museum and the Henry Art Gallery are on campus, and University Village has open-air shopping to the east.
The downside is that it feels like a student area. The Ave can be scruffy and noisy, the main sights are a train ride away, and when there's a big game at Husky Stadium the area fills up and hotel prices rise. Evenings are more about cheap food than polished bars.
What makes the University District worth considering is value and connections. Hotels cost less than downtown, the light rail makes the centre and the airport easy, and the campus is one of the prettiest places to walk in Seattle. For budget travellers and visitors to the university, it's a smart choice.
Getting around
- Smith Tower18
- Pike Place Market20
- Seattle Art Museum20
- Central Library20
- Museum of Pop Culture24
- Seattle Aquarium24
- Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA)55
University District questions
Is University District a good area to stay in Seattle?
Yes, if you want cheaper rooms with fast light rail into the centre. The Link reaches Westlake in minutes and runs to the airport, and the Ave is full of cheap places to eat. It suits budget travellers, visitors to the University of Washington and husky Stadium game days.
Is University District safe?
Street crime in University District is below the city average for Seattle, based on Seattle Police Department open data.
How much does a hotel in University District cost?
A typical double is around $110 a night at a budget hotel, $180 mid-range and $230 for luxury, outside peak events.
How do I get from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to University District?
About 55 minutes door to door: Link light rail 1 Line direct from the airport to U District.
How far is University District from the main sights?
Door to door from University District: Smith Tower 18 minutes, Pike Place Market 20 minutes, Seattle Art Museum 20 minutes and Central Library 20 minutes.