Bellevue is served by Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), 20 miles south. A light rail connection from Sea-Tac runs through downtown Seattle and across Lake Washington to Bellevue Transit Center via the East Link extension, which opened in 2023 — the journey from Sea-Tac takes around 50 minutes with one transfer at International District station.
By car from Seattle, Bellevue is reached via the I-90 bridge (from south Seattle) or the SR 520 toll bridge (from north Seattle or Montlake). Both crossings are subject to heavy congestion during morning and evening peaks. The SR 520 bridge also carries a pedestrian and cycling path for those arriving by bike. From the east (Snoqualmie Pass and beyond), I-90 enters Bellevue directly from the Cascade foothills.