Sound Transit's new 2 Line opens on April 27, 2024, with 8 new stations from South Bellevue to Redmond Technology. The light rail trains will run every 10 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., seven days a week. This means that getting around Bellevue and Redmond will be traffic-free! Here's your guide to riding the new light rail system, complete with all the things you can do at each of the stations.
What's the Light Rail?
Fair question. Sound Transit builds and operates transit services in our region, and their light rail system offers two-way rapid service trains that operate in their own right of way - meaning you can zip through traffic. The vehicles have large windows, bicycle hooks, and space to stow luggage. It's a really great way to get around!
Riding Costs
Pay for your ride with an ORCA card, which you can purchase at a ticket machine with cash and credit/debit cards at any of the new stations, or use the Transit GO ticket app. With an ORCA card, you can also transfer to any of the buses or Sounder trains. Fares are $2.25 - $2.50 and reduced fares are available. Thanks to Move Ahead Washington, a statewide transportation funding package, all youth 18 and younger get to ride for free. You just need to bring a Youth ORCA Card or a current high school or middle school student ID.
The South Bellevue Station includes bus and paratransit transfer facilities with 1,500 parking stalls. In 2025, this station will connect to Seattle's International District Station. This is a great stop to access a bike and pedestrian trail that brings you through the evergreen Mercer Slough Nature Park. You can also take an 18 minute walk to REI Co-op Kayak Rentals at Entai Beach, where you can rent paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes to enjoy the peaceful waters of Lake Washington.
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Shopping, Arts, Events, Nightlife
For luxury shopping at Prada, Gucci, David Lawrence, and more, The Shops at The Bravern is just next door. Going to see a show or attend a conference? This station is a quick walk to the Meydenbauer Center and the Meydenbauer Center Theater. Take a walk in the walkabout downtown area and you'll find over 200 shops and restaurants at The Bellevue Collection, which is also home to the Topgolf Swing Suite and a very unique minigolf spot at Forum Social House. This is also where you'll find the Bellevue Arts Museum along with plenty of nightlife options at Lucky Strike, Suite, W Living Room, Legion, and more.
The Wilburton Station features an elevated central platform with views of the Bellevue skyline and Lake Bellevue. From here, you can explore a variety of shopping and dining options. The Pumphouse Bar & Grill is a long standing family-owned and operated American restaurant known for serving beers in their Super Stein. This is a 21+ spot with some of the best homestyle hamburgers and breakfast items. Enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine from I Love Sushi On Lake Bellevue, serving traditional Gozen, bento boxes, donburi, sushi, sashimi, and rolls. You can also pay a visit to Whole Foods or Japanese grocery store Uwajimaya to pick up snacks, drinks, and more. If you're coming from Canada, this is the stop to get off at when visiting the Trader Joe's.
The new urban Bellevue neighborhood is a vibrant place made up of walkable streets, open spaces, and independent shops. This is where Meta is headquartered and is a great place to hang out when visiting Bellevue Brewing Company and Dote Coffee Shop. This is also home to the Global Innovation Exchange, which has wonderful meeting spaces and is where some of the most brilliant minds are developing innovative solutions.
Where Bellevue meets Redmond, the BelRed Station is located in an industrial neighborhood that is now an arts village. This is the perfect stop to visit the Mercury Coffee Roastery & Bakery, located next to their headquarters. Garnering a local cult following for their coffee, pastry, and lunch items, this spot offers exclusive menu items not available anywhere else. You'll be able to see the team in action, as they process their coffee, make their baked goods, and more. Be sure the check out their massive cinnamon rolls! For fabulous Taiwanese cuisine, Facing East is a favorite among locals and chefs. Nearby, you can also visit Mox Boarding House, atylish restaurant & game store featuring a menu of eclectic eats, a game library & draft beers.
The Overlake Village Station is located in the Overlake area of Redmond, home to 46,000 jobs and growing residential neighborhoods. Get off at this station to get to the K1 Speed for electric go-karting in this indoor racing center, which also serves food. There are many local restaurants in the area, including Dosa House Indian Food, modern izakaya at Shinya Shokudo, and Thai cuisine at Bai Tong Thai Restaurant Redmond.
The Redmond Technology Station is your gateway to the Microsoft Visitor Center and Company Store. The Microsoft Store and Visitor Center is an interactive exploration of the past and future of Microsoft. You can check out the very first personal computer or take a sneak peek at the future of Microsoft Artificial Intelligence + Research. Follow along on a guided tour, or set off on your own. You can purchase exclusive merchandise from the Microsoft Store here.
Author
Anna Yan
Anna Yan is the communications manager at Visit Bellevue. She enjoys dining, travel, outdoor adventure, golf, and obsessing over hotels.
