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You can uncover outstanding rates on the Internet. But be sure to call reservation numbers and search the websites of major airlines along with your forays into third-party travel sites to discover the most advantageous deals.

Hotel rates are subject to pricing grids based on such criteria as special promotions, high and low season rates, and room categories. Use your intuition; if something sounds impossibly low, it probably should not be trusted. Call the hotel directly and ask for the best price after researching wholesalers and even the hotel’s own website (see Traditional Hotels).

If you stay in or close to downtown and have no plans to explore the surrounding region, you will not need a car. But if you want to spread your wings, many fly-drive packages have built-in price advantages over renting a car separately.

Avoid waiting in long lines and get one universal pass online. You may purchase a CityPass online or at the first attraction you visit. It’s good for nine days and includes admission to Woodland Park Zoo, the Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, Seattle Aquarium, the Museum of Flight, and Argosy Cruises.

The central location of Seattle’s hostels combined with exceptionally low rates is too irresistible to ignore. Hostelling International, featuring a lounge, library, and self-service kitchen/laundry, and Green Tortoise Backpackers Hostel are decent places to stay.

Cheap eats are widely available. Look anywhere in the International District, especially in the Vietnamese areas, for dinners under $7. Taquerias and sandwich delis dot corners in every neighborhood, and Indian restaurants offer all-you-can-eat lunch buffets.

The Pike Place Market is a great place to shop for a picnic in one of the city’s many parks. Try DeLaurenti’s or Three Girl’s Bakery for easily portable breads, sandwiches, salads, and freshly baked pastries. At Greenlake, purchase delicious organic carry-out food at PCC Natural Markets.

Seattle has no rapid transit system, but you can use the Metro bus system. For $5, the Metro Visitor Pass provides one day of unlimited travel to all major attractions. Or, purchase multiple ticket booklets of various dollar values. Call Metro Transit Rider Information (see Getting Around Seattle).

It may be a good idea to purchase a pre-paid phone card before you leave home. Most of Seattle’s branch public libraries offer free Internet access at their computer stations.

These have largely been relegated to lower income neighborhoods in a city that’s on the expensive side. Maytag operates a coin-operated laundromat in the U-District. Check the yellow pages to see if there’s one near where you’re staying.