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You have been accepted into an English language program at the University of Washington. You have your visa. Now, what do you need to think about before you begin your classes in the US?

Climate Dress Arriving by Air Transportation

Temporary Housing Permanent Housing Check-In Payment Options

We look forward to meeting you, and we hope you have a very smooth transition to life in Seattle!

Climate

The Puget Sound area has a temperate climate. Humidity is low and evenings are usually cooler than daytime.

Season		Average Temperature
Winter (December, January, February)		40 F (4 C)
Summer (June, July, August)		70 F (21 C)

There is little or no snow in the winter, and the rainy season goes from November through May/June. The area tends to be overcast for most of the winter months, and it drizzles quite often.

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Dress

Because Seattle is located between two mountain ranges and on Puget Sound, the weather is changeable.

• It rains or drizzles throughout the year, so an umbrella and/or raincoat is essential.
  
  
• Bring layers to wear when the weather changes, e.g., sweaters, jackets, a heavy jacket in winter.
  
  
• Evenings in the spring and autumn can be cool, so a light jacket or sweater is necessary.
  
  
• In the summer, no outerwear is necessary and light, comfortable clothing is recommended for the warmer days.

Like other cities on the West Coast, dress and lifestyle are casual! Most students (male and female) wear jeans or slacks and t-shirts. Male students seldom wear ties. Female students seldom wear dresses or skirts and blouses. Only a few restaurants in the area require a jacket and tie or other formal wear.

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Arriving by Air

If you have problems receiving your visa or with your flight, contact us immediately. We will let you know if you can arrive late.

When your flight arrives at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, you will need to do the following:

1. Go to the Baggage Claim Area
   Follow the signs to the Baggage Claim Area to get your luggage. There will be a conveyor belt at the claim area marked with your airline and flight number. You may have to show your baggage claim ticket before exiting the claim area.
   
2. Go through Customs
   After you collect your baggage, you will go through Customs. Remember: You cannot bring fresh food or plants into the US. Show the officials your passport and visa papers. You should proceed to the main airport terminal to get transportation into the city.

The Seattle-Tacoma Airport information number is (206) 431-4444. Read Sea-Tac Airport travel tips... »

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Transportation

Listed here is some basic information about ground transportation:

A Metro Bus is the most inexpensive way to get from the airport to the city. Cost: $2.50. You must have exact change when you get on the bus. The bus driver will not give change. You can request a transfer.

• The 174 bus (going towards Downtown Seattle) leaves from just outside the baggage claim area in the "Main Terminal" every 30 minutes from 4:47 a.m. to 2:43 a.m.
  
  
• The express 194 bus leaves during the weekdays and Saturday 6:04 a.m. to 9:12 p.m.

You can walk to 3rd Avenue and University Street to transfer to another bus. Transfer to bus number 70, 71, 72, or 73 going north to the University District. Any of these buses will take you to the University District. For more information on public bus transportation, call (206) 553-3000 or visit http://tripplanner.metrokc.gov/

For current ground transportation rates in the Seattle area, visit the Port of Seattle Web site.

Airport Express Grayline is a more comfortable way to get to downtown Seattle and is still inexpensive. This shuttle services seven major hotels in the downtown area: Sheraton Hotel, Hilton Hotel, Madison Renaissance, Crown Plaza, Four Seasons Olympic Hotel, Westin Hotel and the Warwick Hotel. Cost: $8.50 one way and $14 round trip.

Grayline leaves from outside the "Main Terminal" baggage claim area every 30 minutes from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 P.M.

1. Take the Express to the Westin Hotel.
2. From the Westin Hotel, catch a bus or taxi to your destination.

For more information and prices contact (206) 626-6088.

Shuttle Express is a van service leaving from the "Main Terminal" area of the airport. This service is open 24 hours daily. You must call the Shuttle Express office to have them pick you up. The waiting time is about 15-30 minutes. They will pick you up and take you wherever you want to go. Have the address ready. The cost depends on where you want to go. Call (425) 981-7000 for pick up and price quotes. Cost from the airport to the University District should be around $25. There are discounted fares for more than one person. It is customary to tip the driver if she or he assists you with your luggage.

Taxicabs from the airport to downtown should cost approximately $30.00 for one person. There are discounted fares for more than one person. It costs more to go to the University District. The taxicabs are metered fares. It is customary to tip the taxi driver 10%-15% of the fare.

For more information, you can contact the Sea-Tac Airport Ground Transportation at (206) 433-5288.

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Temporary Housing

Please do not show up with your suitcases at the English Language Programs office with no housing previously arranged!

When you arrive in Seattle, if you do not have a place to live right away, you will need to find temporary housing. The University of Washington (UW) dormitories may not be open for check-in if you arrive a week before the quarter begins. They are not usually open during the quarter breaks.

Therefore, you may need to plan to stay for a week or more in a motel or hotel. You can make advance arrangements by contacting a hotel and making a reservation. Tell them the date you will be arriving and how long you will need a room. This is not a complete listing of motels and hotels.

Here are useful Web sites to book hotels, check availability and rates:

• Hotels.com
• Tripadvisor.com
• Hostels.com
• Hostelz.com
• Hostelbookers.com

Rates start at $65 and up, plus 8.8% Sales Tax

Best Western Tower Hotel 4507 Brooklyn NE Seattle, WA 98105 (206) 634-2000 (206) 547-6029 fax See Web site From $89/night		College Inn Guest House 4000 University Way NE Seattle, WA 98105 (206) 633-4441 with breakfast (206) 547-1335 fax See Web site From $65/night
Silver Cloud Inn 5036 25th Ave. NE Seattle, WA 98105 (206) 526-5200 (206) 522-1450 fax See Web site From $129/night		University Inn 4140 Roosevelt NE Seattle, WA 98105 (206) 632-5055 (206) 547-4937 fax See Web site From $84/night
University Motel 4731 NE 12th Ave Seattle, WA 98105 (206) 522-4724 (206) 522-4728 Rooms with kitchen See Web site From $67/night		University Travel Lodge 4725 NE 25th Ave Seattle, WA 98105 (206) 525-4612 (206) 924-9106 fax See Web site From $64/night
Watertown Hotel 4242 Roosevelt Way NE Seattle, WA 98105 (206) 826-4242 (206) 315-4242 fax See Web site From $125/night

Rates start at $60 and up, plus 8.8% Sales Tax

Best Western 200 Taylor Ave N Seattle, WA 98109 (206) 448-9444 (206) 441-7929 fax See Web site from $79/night		Days Inn 2205 7th Seattle, WA 98101 (206) 448-3434 (206) 441-6976 fax See Web site from $68/night
Edgewater Hotel Pier 67, 2411 Alaskan Way Seattle, WA 98121 (206) 728-7000 (206) 441-4119 fax See Web site from $159/night		The Green Tortoise 1525 Second Avenue Seattle, WA 98101 (206) 340-1222 See Web site
Hilton 6th and University Seattle, WA 98101 (206) 624-0500 (206) 682-9029 fax See Web site from $159/night		Inn at the Market 86 Pine Street Seattle, WA 98101 (206) 443-3600 (206) 448-0631 fax See Web site from $165/night
La Quinta Inn & Suites 2224 - 8th Seattle, WA 98121 (206) 624-6820 (206) 467-6926 fax See Web site from $89/night		Travel Lodge 2213 8th Seattle, WA 98121 (206) 624-6300 (206) 233-0185 fax from $59/night
West Coast Roosevelt Hotel 1531 - 7th Seattle, WA 98101 (206) 621-1200 (206) 233-0335 fax See Web site from $105/night		Westin Hotel Seattle 1900 - 5th Seattle, WA 98101 (206) 728-1000 (206) 727-5896 fax See Web site from $159/night

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Permanent Housing

It is your responsibility to find permanent housing in a campus dormitory, a private apartment or house, or in a shared apartment with American roommates. See Housing for some advice.

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Check-in

As soon as you arrive in Seattle, contact your program. If you are going to study in the Campus IEP, you need to confirm your placement test appointment. If you are going to study in one of the downtown programs, call them (206-685-4260) with any questions or problems you have.

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Payment Options

There are several payment options:

Best: Cashier's check or bank check made out to the "University of Washington."

Second Best: Traveler's Checks. The Educational Outreach Payment Office does not make change. Be sure you have the exact amount in traveler's checks and cash to pay your tuition. DO NOT sign the traveler's checks BEFORE you pay.

Third Best: Credit Card.

• If your credit card is from a foreign bank, make sure you can charge the tuition amount. Some cards have daily limits. Notify your credit card company of the amount and the date you will charge.
  
  
• If the card is from a Seattle bank, especially US Bank or Washington Mutual, call the bank and tell them which day and what amount you are going to charge for tuition.

Other Options:

• Personal Check. Be sure it has your local address on it. REMEMBER, if you have just opened an account and put in money with an overseas check, the bank will NOT release the money for 10 days.
  
  
• Cash. We prefer that you not pay in cash (US dollars) for safety reasons, but it is possible, if you have no other way.

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