The Sounder Commuter Rail connects Seattle, WA and Mukilteo, US over a 82-mile route operated by Sound Transit, calling at 11 stations across 2 states.
Quick Facts
- Operator
- Sound Transit
- Service type
- Commuter Rail
- Endpoints
- Seattle ↔ Mukilteo
- Distance
- 82 mi
- Frequency
- Weekday peak service on two lines
- Stations
- 11
- States served
- 2 (WA, US)
- Typical fare range
- $3 – $6
Route guide
The Sounder Commuter Rail is a commuter rail service operated by Sound Transit. Trains run Weekday peak service on two lines over 82 miles of mainline track between Seattle King Street Station and Mukilteo, calling at 11 intermediate and terminal stations across 2 states. For background reading on the corridor, several archival route histories are available alongside the operator's own marketing pages.
What to watch for: Puget Sound shoreline north of Seattle on the North Line.
History & service notes
Launched in September 2000, Sounder is the youngest commuter rail system on the West Coast and a key element of Sound Transit’s expanding regional network. Riders interested in pre-Amtrak operating history of the line can consult classic timetable archives for fuller context.
Equipment
Typical consist on the Sounder Commuter Rail includes bombardier bi-level coaches with F59PHI and MP36PH-3C locomotives. Equipment assignments may vary by departure and season; consult the operator for the most current information.
Stops along the route
Stations are listed in geographical order from Seattle to Mukilteo. Times and exact stop sequencing depend on the specific train number and direction; refer to the operator's timetable for departures.
- Seattle King Street Station — Seattle, WA
- Tukwila — Tukwila, WA
- Kent — Kent, US
- Auburn — Auburn, US
- Sumner — Sumner, US
- Puyallup — Puyallup, US
- Tacoma Dome Station — Tacoma, WA
- Lakewood — Lakewood, US
- Everett — Everett, WA
- Edmonds — Edmonds, WA
- Mukilteo — Mukilteo, US
Sample fares & travel times
Approximate one-way fare ranges and travel times for popular city pairs on this route. Fares vary widely by demand, time of booking, and class of service — these figures are reference midpoints suitable for planning, not booking. Click any pair for a fuller trip guide.
| From | To | Distance | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | Tukwila | 8 mi | 20m | $8 – $13 |
| Tukwila | Kent | 8 mi | 20m | $8 – $13 |
| Kent | Auburn | 8 mi | 20m | $8 – $13 |
| Auburn | Sumner | 8 mi | 20m | $8 – $13 |
| Sumner | Puyallup | 8 mi | 20m | $8 – $13 |
| Puyallup | Tacoma | 8 mi | 20m | $8 – $13 |
| Tacoma | Lakewood | 8 mi | 20m | $8 – $13 |
| Lakewood | Everett | 8 mi | 20m | $8 – $13 |
| Everett | Edmonds | 8 mi | 20m | $8 – $13 |
| Edmonds | Mukilteo | 8 mi | 20m | $8 – $13 |
| Tukwila | Mukilteo | 74 mi | 1h 39m | $8 – $13 |
| Seattle | Kent | 16 mi | 29m | $8 – $13 |
| Kent | Mukilteo | 66 mi | 1h 29m | $8 – $13 |
| Seattle | Auburn | 25 mi | 40m | $8 – $13 |
| Auburn | Mukilteo | 57 mi | 1h 18m | $8 – $13 |
| Seattle | Sumner | 33 mi | 50m | $8 – $13 |
| Sumner | Mukilteo | 49 mi | 1h 9m | $8 – $13 |
| Seattle | Puyallup | 41 mi | 59m | $8 – $13 |
Connections & transfers
Major hubs along the route offer cross-platform transfers to other intercity and commuter services. From Seattle, riders can change for connecting trains and intercity buses; the same is true at Mukilteo. The corridor passes through cities including Seattle, Tukwila, and Mukilteo, each with its own onward service map. A useful reference for cross-network connections is the consolidated national rail connection guide, updated each timetable change.
Further Reading on the Sounder Commuter Rail
- Riding the Sounder Commuter Rail: a first-timer's full-route diary
- Best window seats and viewing tips along the line