Important Note:
June 2026 will be a busy time at the UW, as students move out of residence halls and graduation celebrations – including Commencement on June 13 – take place across the University.
Another event taking place in Seattle that could impact your Commencement-related travel and lodging plans is the 2026 FIFA World Cup. If you are traveling to Seattle in June, we suggest booking your rooms and travel as early as possible.
Matches begin in Seattle on June 15 and we expect many hotels will be full, with prices higher than normal around this time. Since the World Cup draws soccer fans from around the globe, Seattle-area hotels are expecting June bookings to ramp up during the holidays. Many are expected to sell out during this time.
Link Light Rail and Metro Transit
Skip the traffic and arrive in style! Link Light Rail is now open at the University Washington and will drop you directly in front of Husky Stadium. To plan your trip via Link Light Rail or Metro visit Trip Planner. Light rail does connect to SeaTac airport.
Lodging
There are many hotels available close to the University of Washington and in the greater Seattle area.
Please be aware that many of the University’s schools, colleges, and departments have their own graduation events. These events generally (but not always) take place on or near the UW campus during the week before Commencement.
Depending upon your plans, you may want to book lodging near campus or closer to downtown. The downtown core is approximately 7-10 miles from campus. The driving time to campus is about 15-20 minutes.
Getting Around in Seattle
The Visit Seattle webpage offers a wealth of information about travel to Seattle. Their transportation page is particularly helpful, with information on how to get around in the city and a variety of public and private transportation services.