TL;DR: Getting around from North Capitol Hill starts with King County Metro Route 10, the electric trolley bus that runs the length of 15th Avenue East into downtown Seattle. From 605 15th Avenue East you board Route 10 at the corner, or reach the Capitol Hill Link light rail station with a short bus ride or a 12 to 15 minute walk, which puts downtown, First Hill, the University of Washington, and Sea-Tac Airport within reach without a car.
- Route 10 runs directly along 15th Avenue East into downtown Seattle, giving the north end its own frequent bus spine with no transfer.
- Capitol Hill Link light rail is a short Route 10 ride or a 12 to 15 minute walk south, reaching downtown, the University of Washington, and Sea-Tac Airport.
- Route 12 adds a second option toward First Hill and Seattle University by way of 19th Avenue East.
- The Kaiser Permanente Capitol Hill campus, the former Group Health site, is a short walk up 15th Avenue East.
- Weigh these options against your own commute, then schedule a tour to see the building and the walk for yourself.
Route 10: The North End’s Direct Line Downtown
Getting around from North Capitol Hill begins with Route 10. King County Metro’s Route 10 is an electric trolley bus that runs along 15th Avenue East and carries riders straight into downtown Seattle. It passes within a block of 605 15th Avenue East, so the quiet north end has its own frequent transit line rather than depending on a busier corridor nearby.
Where Route 10 Goes
Heading south and west, Route 10 travels down 15th Avenue East, past the Kaiser Permanente Capitol Hill campus, and on toward the downtown core. Because it is a trolley on a fixed route, daytime service is steady, so a trip downtown is usually a short wait at the stop rather than a drive looking for parking.
- Runs along 15th Ave E. The stop sits about a block from 605 15th Avenue East, no transfer needed to reach downtown.
- Serves the Kaiser campus. Route 10 passes the Capitol Hill medical campus on its way south.
- Frequent trolley service. Daytime trips rarely require planning around a single departure time.
The point is that the north end stays calm without losing access: you can keep a quiet block and still reach your office or a downtown appointment on a single bus.
Reaching Capitol Hill Light Rail From 15th Ave E
Capitol Hill Station, the Sound Transit Link stop, is a short bus ride or a walk of about 12 to 15 minutes from 15th Avenue East. From the platform, Link connects directly to downtown Seattle, the University of Washington, and Sea-Tac Airport on one line without a transfer.
Bus or Walk to the Platform
You have two simple ways to reach the station: ride Route 10 a few stops toward the station, or walk south through the street grid in roughly 12 to 15 minutes, past gardens and front stoops rather than parking lots. Neither asks you to own a car.
What Link Connects You To
Link runs frequently on its own track through the downtown tunnel, so it sidesteps the surface traffic that slows buses and cars at rush hour. Southbound it reaches downtown and continues to Sea-Tac Airport, so a flight out needs no airport parking. Northbound it reaches the University of Washington, useful for students, staff, and anyone with business on campus.
On the north end you trade a few minutes of walking for a quieter block, and Route 10 still puts downtown on a single ride.
| Mode | From 15th Avenue East | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Route 10 trolley bus | Boards about a block away, direct along 15th Ave E | No-transfer rides downtown and to the Kaiser campus |
| Capitol Hill Link light rail | Short Route 10 ride or a 12 to 15 minute walk | Downtown, the University of Washington, and Sea-Tac Airport |
| Route 12 trolley bus | A few blocks east toward 19th Ave E | First Hill, Swedish, and Seattle University |
| Biking the grid | Secure indoor bike storage, Bike Score of 94 | Active commutes and quick errands |
Route 12 and the Ride Toward First Hill
Route 12 gives North Capitol Hill a second trolley option, running toward First Hill and downtown Seattle by way of 19th Avenue East. It is the practical choice for anyone whose day points toward the hospitals and schools on First Hill rather than the downtown core.
Who Route 12 Serves
Metro’s Route 12 connects the Capitol Hill area to First Hill, passing Swedish Medical Center and Seattle University before reaching downtown, with its eastern end near Interlaken Park. For a resident working in health care or studying at Seattle University, it often means a shorter trip than routing through the downtown spine. Paired with Route 10 and Link, it rounds out a transit map that covers most trips from the north end.
Commuting to the Kaiser Permanente Capitol Hill Campus
The Kaiser Permanente Capitol Hill campus, the former Group Health site, sits just up 15th Avenue East near East John Street, which makes it one of the most walkable large employers for anyone on the north end. For staff and patients alike, the commute is often a short walk or a single stop on Route 10.
A Walkable Medical Campus
The campus has anchored this stretch of Capitol Hill for decades, first as Group Health and now under Kaiser Permanente, with outpatient clinics, urgent care, and a surgery center among its buildings. From 605 15th Avenue East it is a straightforward walk north, with Route 10 serving it directly. That proximity is a real draw for health care workers who would rather live near work than commute in from across the city.
Living Car-Optional on North Capitol Hill
North Capitol Hill supports a car-optional life through a mix of walkability, transit, and building amenities. The address at 605 15th Avenue East carries a Walk Score of 92 and a Bike Score of 94, among the more genuinely car-light corners of the neighborhood.
Bikes, Car Share, and Parking
The building backs up that Bike Score with secure indoor bike storage in a controlled-access room, so a bike commute does not mean leaving a frame out in the weather. Cycle share and ZipCar are easy to reach nearby, and controlled-access car parking is available on site at 200 dollars per month, so a resident who rides Route 10 most days can still keep a car for a weekend out of the city.
Errands Without Driving
A car-optional commute also depends on not driving for errands. The stretch of 15th Avenue East outside the door holds independent businesses within a short walk, including Victrola Coffee at 411 15th Ave E, Ada’s Technical Books and Cafe at 425 15th Ave E, and Smith at 332 15th Ave E, with a QFC supermarket about 10 minutes away. For more, see our 15th Avenue East guide and our look at quieter north-end apartments.
Finding a Home on 15th Avenue East
The Fifteen offers studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom floor plans at 605 15th Avenue East, built as a carbon neutral constructed residence with a rooftop garden terrace, secure indoor bike storage, and Route 10 at the corner. Renters weighing how they will get around can review the available apartments and floor plans directly, from studios around 390 square feet to two bedroom homes as large as 1,051 square feet, some with loft space, each with floor-to-ceiling windows, quartz countertops, an in-unit washer and dryer, and passive cooling rather than mechanical air conditioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does King County Metro Route 10 go?
Route 10 is an electric trolley bus that runs along 15th Avenue East, past the Kaiser Permanente campus, and into downtown Seattle without a transfer, giving the north end a direct bus line to the city center.
How do I get to light rail from North Capitol Hill?
From 15th Avenue East you can ride Route 10 toward Capitol Hill Station or walk about 12 to 15 minutes south to the platform, where Link connects to downtown, the University of Washington, and Sea-Tac Airport.
Is there a bus that runs along 15th Ave E?
Yes. King County Metro Route 10 runs the length of 15th Avenue East, with a stop about a block from 605 15th Avenue East, so residents reach downtown Seattle directly from the north end.
What is Route 12 good for?
Route 12 runs toward First Hill and downtown by way of 19th Avenue East, serving Swedish Medical Center and Seattle University, with its eastern end near Interlaken Park, so it suits commutes toward the hospitals and the university.
Can I walk to the Kaiser Permanente Capitol Hill campus?
Yes. The Kaiser Permanente Capitol Hill campus, formerly Group Health, sits up 15th Avenue East near East John Street, a short walk north from 605 15th Avenue East, and Route 10 serves it directly.
Do I need a car to live on North Capitol Hill?
Many residents go without one, relying on Route 10, the walk or bus to Capitol Hill Station, a Bike Score of 94 with secure indoor bike storage, and nearby ZipCar for occasional trips.
Getting Around the North End, Your Way
Transit from North Capitol Hill works because the pieces line up: Route 10 running down 15th Avenue East into downtown Seattle, Capitol Hill Link a short ride or a 12 to 15 minute walk away, Route 12 toward First Hill, and a walkable medical campus a few blocks north. Add a Walk Score of 92 and a Bike Score of 94, and it is a home built for getting around the city without a car. If that rhythm sounds like what you are after, schedule a tour to walk the route yourself, or call the leasing team at 206-489-2747.
