Metro King County Bus Schedule: Routes, Times & Stops
Metro King County bus schedule searches usually mean you need the correct King County Metro route, direction, stop, map, fare, and next departure without decoding multiple official pages.
This guide explains how to use King County Metro schedules, RapidRide lines, local routes, service maps, ORCA fares, live arrivals, service alerts, snow routes, accessibility tools, and stop-specific boarding information.
How to Find a King County Metro Bus Schedule Fast
To find a King County Metro bus schedule, open the official Schedules and Maps page, search the route number or RapidRide letter, select the correct direction, then check the route map, stop-level departure, and service alerts before leaving.
Search by route number, RapidRide letter, stop, station, or destination.
Match the bus headsign, terminal, or travel direction.
Use exact stop name, stop ID, transit center bay, or map pin.
Use ORCA, Transit GO Ticket, cash/ticket, or tap-to-pay.
Use Trip Planner, Next Departures, OneBusAway, or Transit App.
Metro King County Bus Schedule Guide
King County Metro Routes: Local, RapidRide, DART, Night Owl and Special Services
King County Metro schedules are organized by route number or RapidRide letter. A rider should first decide whether the trip is a regular local bus, RapidRide corridor, DART/flexible-area route, Night Owl trip, Trailhead Direct trip, Metro Flex trip, or a special service pattern.
| Service type | What it means | Best use | Rider warning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local bus routes | Regular fixed routes with published schedules, maps, timepoints, and stop-level departures. | Seattle neighborhoods, Eastside, South King County, North King County, Vashon, connections to Link, Sounder, ferries, and transit centers. | First and last bus are different by direction and stop. Do not use one terminal time for the entire route. |
| RapidRide lines | Metro’s higher-investment frequent bus service marked by letters instead of normal route numbers. | Frequent corridors such as Aurora, West Seattle, Burien, Bellevue/Redmond, Madison, and other major corridors. | RapidRide may be managed for even intervals, so live arrival is more useful than memorizing one timetable time. |
| DART / flexible services | Smaller transit vehicles with fixed-route service and limited off-route flexibility where available. | Areas where a normal high-frequency bus pattern may not fit every trip. | Deviation rules, pickup points, and booking details can be different from normal bus routes. |
| Night Owl and late-night routes | Late-night service on selected corridors, not the entire Metro network. | Late work shifts, airport/rail connections, downtown trips, and early-morning travel. | Night service is route-specific; check last return trip and safe walking connection. |
| Snow routes and emergency service | Metro may use snow routes, emergency service networks, or detours during severe weather. | Winter travel planning when snow or ice affects normal streets. | A normal schedule does not guarantee the bus will serve every regular stop during severe weather. |
Use route pages for downtown Seattle, neighborhood routes, Link connections, and stop-by-stop directions.
Find routesUseful for Renton, Tukwila, Burien, Kent, Federal Way, Auburn, and regional transfer trips.
Search 100sUse these route pages for Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Issaquah, Eastgate, and Microsoft-area connections.
Search 200sCheck individual schedules for Shoreline, Lake City, Bothell, Kenmore, Northgate, and regional connections.
Search 300sKing County Metro RapidRide Schedule: A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H Lines
RapidRide routes are lettered lines. They are useful when you want more frequent corridor service, but you still need to check the exact direction, stop, service date, and alert status before travel.
South King County corridor service. Check official schedule for current terminals, late-night span, and stop-level arrivals.
Open A LineEastside corridor service. Use the route map to confirm Bellevue, Redmond, Overlake, and transfer points.
Open B LineWest Seattle and downtown-related corridor service. Live arrival is important during downtown congestion.
Open C LineUse the official page to check direction, stops, downtown boarding, and current alerts before boarding.
Open D LineHigh-demand north Seattle/Aurora corridor. Check live departures and service advisories before walking to the stop.
Open E LineSouth King County corridor connections. Confirm transfer timing at transit centers and Link/Sounder connections.
Open F LineMadison corridor service between downtown Seattle, First Hill, and Madison Valley areas. Check stop spacing carefully.
Open G LineBurien, Delridge, West Seattle, and downtown-related service. Check detours and downtown boarding updates.
Open H LineKing County Metro Bus Times: First Bus, Last Bus and Frequency
King County Metro does not have one universal first bus or last bus for every route. The schedule depends on route, direction, service day, exact stop, current service period, event conditions, snow routes, and alerts.
| Timing question | Best rider answer | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| What time does my Metro bus start? | Use the route schedule and choose the correct direction. First departure from a terminal is not the same as a mid-route stop time. | Route page, direction, service day, stop ID, and current effective date. |
| What time is the last Metro bus? | Last trip is route-specific and direction-specific. Late-night and Night Owl routes do not cover the whole system. | Last trip from your actual stop, plus the return trip if you need to come back. |
| Is Saturday the same as Sunday? | Do not assume weekend schedules are the same. Many routes have different Saturday, Sunday, and holiday patterns. | Choose weekday, Saturday, Sunday, or holiday schedule in the official tool. |
| How often do buses come? | Frequency depends on the route. RapidRide and frequent corridors may have shorter waits; suburban, express, and DART routes may be less frequent. | Next Departures, Trip Planner, OneBusAway, Transit App, or the official route schedule. |
| What if my route has a service change? | Schedule pages can change by service period. Individual pages may show effective date ranges, so always verify the active period. | Service change page, route page effective date, alerts, and holiday/snow notices. |
King County Metro Stops: Stop IDs, Boarding Maps and Direction Matter
King County Metro’s schedule tools include route schedules, maps, stop-level details, system maps, and boarding maps. Boarding maps are especially helpful at busy places such as downtown Seattle, Bellevue Transit Center, Burien Transit Center, Northgate Station, U District Station, SeaTac bus bays, and other major transfer points.
King County Metro Fares, ORCA, Transit GO Ticket and Tap-to-Pay
King County Metro fare rules are regional and can involve ORCA, Transit GO Ticket, cash or paper tickets, and tap-to-pay. Riders using reduced fare programs should use the correct ORCA product rather than paying full adult fare by mistake.
Standard King County Metro bus single ride fare effective September 1, 2025.
Reduced fare requires the correct Regional Reduced Fare Permit or eligible ORCA product.
Youth are encouraged to use a free Youth ORCA card, but youth rides are listed as free.
Use ORCA LIFT for eligible reduced fare across participating regional services.
This is for Metro Access paratransit trips, not regular fixed-route bus boarding.
Loaded to ORCA and valid for regular regional services, but not for Metro Access vans.
Useful for eligible RRFP or ORCA LIFT riders making multiple rides in a day.
ORCA can hold E-purse value, monthly PugetPass, and reduced fare products.
Adult, youth, RRFP, ORCA LIFT, day pass, or Access fare.
Tap ORCA for stored value, pass value, and regional transfer convenience.
Use mobile tickets where supported and show activated ticket when asked.
ORCA is usually best for transfers between regional services.
Have card, phone, ticket, or cash ready before the bus arrives.
King Street Center / Metro Customer Service Area Map
This map is included for downtown Seattle location context near King County Metro’s administrative/customer-service area. For a real trip, use the official Metro route map, stop ID, boarding map, and live arrival tool instead of relying on a generic map pin.
- Use official boarding maps for downtown streets and transit centers.
- Check stop side because the return stop may be across the street.
- Use Metro Trip Planner or Next Departures for route-level times.
- Use alerts before travel during construction, events, snow, or detours.
Scheduled Time vs Live King County Metro Arrival
Scheduled time is the planned timetable. Live arrival is a prediction based on real-time vehicle information where available. Traffic, detours, snow, cancellations, events, bridge openings, heavy passenger loads, and operator availability can change the actual arrival.
Use Trip Planner, Next Departures, OneBusAway, Transit App, or another Metro-listed app.
Enter route number or RapidRide letter, such as 7, 36, 70, 255, A, E, G, or H.
Match the bus destination, terminal, or route direction before trusting the ETA.
Use the exact stop ID, station, transit center bay, or map pin.
Check again before walking because predicted arrivals can change quickly.
Check King County Metro Alerts Before You Leave
Service alerts can change a normal Metro trip. A route may still operate but skip a stop, use a temporary stop, arrive late, run on a snow route, or leave from a different boarding area.
King County Metro Accessibility, Mobility Devices and Access Transportation
Accessibility is both vehicle-specific and stop-specific. Metro publishes guidance for accessibility on buses, priority seating, mobility devices, stop announcements, special assistance cards, bus identifier kits, and Access Transportation for riders who cannot use fixed-route service because of a disability.
Snow Routes, Holiday Service and Service Changes
King County Metro publishes separate pages for service changes, holiday service, and snow routes. Use these pages whenever weather, a holiday, or a systemwide service change could affect your trip.
How to Ride King County Metro Without Missing the Bus
- Search the official Schedules and Maps page by route number, RapidRide letter, or destination.
- Select the correct service day: weekday, Saturday, Sunday, holiday, or snow/emergency service.
- Choose the correct direction and destination sign.
- Use the exact stop ID, station, transit center bay, or boarding map.
- Check next departure with Trip Planner, Next Departures, OneBusAway, Transit App, or another Metro-listed tool.
- Prepare ORCA, Transit GO Ticket, tap-to-pay, cash, or the correct reduced fare product.
- Arrive 5–10 minutes early for regular stops and earlier for transfers.
- Check alerts for detours, temporary stops, snow routes, or downtown event congestion.
- Confirm accessibility if you use a mobility device or need driver assistance.
- For paratransit needs, review Metro Access rules separately from fixed-route service.
Official King County Metro Sources for Routes, Times, Stops and Fares
Use these official sources to confirm current bus times, route maps, route alerts, RapidRide schedules, fare rules, live arrivals, accessibility, and Access Transportation. This article explains how to use them, but King County Metro controls the current operating information.
Find route schedules, route maps, service changes, holiday service, snow routes, system maps, and boarding maps.
Open Schedules and MapsUse when you know your origin and destination but need the best bus, rail, or transfer plan.
Open Trip PlannerUse for stop-level upcoming departures when you know your stop or route.
Open Next DeparturesCurrent adult fare, youth fare, RRFP fare, ORCA LIFT, Access fare, day pass, PugetPass, and ORCA details.
Open FaresORCA, Transit GO Ticket, cash or tickets, tap-to-pay, and reduced fare payment guidance.
Open Ways to PayOneBusAway, Transit App, GTFS data, and GTFS-RT trip updates, vehicle positions, and service alerts.
Open Mobile AppsCurrent Metro route disruptions, stop changes, detours, event routing, and alert information.
Open Service AdvisoriesOfficial RapidRide overview and current/future RapidRide line information.
Open RapidRideStop announcements, priority seating, mobility devices, special assistance cards, and bus identifier kits.
Open AccessibilityADA paratransit eligibility, temporary visitor eligibility, application, booking, and separate Access fare.
Open Access TransportationMetro King County Bus Schedule FAQs
Where can I find the Metro King County bus schedule?
Use King County Metro’s official Schedules and Maps page. Search by route number, RapidRide letter, location, or destination, then select the correct route and direction.
What is the difference between King County Metro and RapidRide?
King County Metro is the transit agency. RapidRide is Metro’s lettered frequent bus service network, including lines such as A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H.
How much is the King County Metro bus fare?
The adult King County Metro bus fare is $3.00. Senior, disabled, Medicare, ORCA LIFT, youth, Access Transportation, and regional day pass fares have separate rules.
Can youth ride King County Metro for free?
Metro lists youth ages 0–18 as free. Youth are encouraged to use a free Youth ORCA card for smoother boarding and regional travel.
How do I track a King County Metro bus live?
Use Metro Trip Planner, Next Departures, OneBusAway, Transit App, or another Metro-listed live tool. Choose the exact route, direction, and stop ID.
Does King County Metro have real-time data?
Yes. Metro publishes GTFS schedule/geographic data and GTFS-RT feeds for trip updates, vehicle positions, and service alerts. Most riders should access this through apps or Metro tools.
Are Saturday and Sunday Metro schedules the same?
Not always. Select weekday, Saturday, Sunday, or holiday service separately on the official route page because frequency and operating hours can change.
What should I check during snow or severe weather?
Check the official snow routes, service advisories, route page, and live tools. Normal stops may be skipped or moved during snow or emergency service.
Are King County Metro buses accessible?
Metro publishes accessibility guidance for bus boarding, stop announcements, mobility devices, priority seating, special assistance cards, and bus identifier kits.
How early should I arrive at a King County Metro stop?
Arrive 5–10 minutes early for most local stops. Use 10–15 minutes for transit centers, downtown Seattle boarding, rail/ferry transfers, snow service, events, or infrequent routes.
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