Seattle, the vibrant jewel of the Pacific Northwest, is a city where natural beauty and urban sophistication blend effortlessly. Nestled between the shimmering Puget Sound and the towering Cascade Mountains, Seattle boasts lush greenery, scenic waterfronts, and an iconic skyline. Known for its rich arts scene, innovative tech industry, and cultural diversity, the city invites you to explore its eclectic neighbourhoods, world-renowned landmarks, and thriving music scene. Whether you’re sipping coffee at the original Starbucks or hiking through verdant parks, Seattle offers an unforgettable adventure for every traveller. The city is served by Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), commonly known as Sea-Tac, as the primary entry point just 21 kilometres (13 miles) south of the city centre. Visitors arriving from all over the globe to this essential Pacific-Northwest travel hub, which serves over 50 million passengers each year. Sea-Tac connects to numerous U.S. cities, including New York, the star-studded celebrity city of Los Angeles, the lakeside city of Chicago, and the quirky, artsy city Portland, while also offering international flights to destinations like Tokyo, Vancouver, London, and many more, making it a key gateway for both domestic and global travel. With a hire car, Sea-Tac makes it easy to access the diverse attractions of Seattle and its surrounding areas. Once you’ve hauled your bags from the luggage belt, the airport’s car rental centre is just a short shuttle ride away, with major car hire companies such as Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National at your service. Once you've picked up your keys, the road to exploring Seattle and the stunning Pacific Northwest is yours to discover.

A scenic 20-minute drive from Sea-Tac takes you into the heart of Seattle, where lush greenery, evergreen trees, and sparkling waterways give the city its iconic “Emerald City” moniker. With your own hire car, you’ll have the freedom to explore Seattle’s urban attractions, including the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and the Chihuly Garden and Glass, while also venturing out to discover the region's natural beauty, from the Olympic Mountains to the shores of Puget Sound. Seattle is not only famous for its stunning landscapes and tech innovation but also for its creative spirit and individuality, particularly in the world of music. The city earned its “City of Grunge” nickname after becoming the birthplace of one of the most influential music movements of the late 20th century. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Seattle was home to legendary grunge bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains. These bands revolutionised the music scene across the whole of the United States, and the world, with their raw, rebellious sound that resonated deeply with a generation. Grunge, with its angst-filled lyrics, distorted guitars, and DIY ethos, became a cultural movement that captured the essence of Seattle’s independent, authentic, and creative character. This musical legacy continues to influence artists across genres, and the city remains a beacon for creativity and artistic expression. Visitors can immerse themselves in this rich musical history by visiting landmarks such as the Museum of Pop Culture, the Crocodile, and the Moore Theatre, venues that helped launch the careers of Seattle’s grunge legends.