Your Guide to Car-Free Holiday Shopping in Bellevue
Posted on December 18, 2025
Holiday shopping season is here, and so is the traffic that comes with it. Luckily, Bellevue offers plenty of sustainable car-free ways to get to your favorite shopping destinations without worrying about parking, traffic, or the holiday rush.
Taking transit, walking, biking, or using Bellhop can make your holiday errands easier and more sustainable.
Take the Bus to Bellevue’s Biggest Shopping Spots
Bellevue’s bus system makes it easy to reach shopping districts from neighborhoods across the Eastside.
Routes Serving Bellevue Include:
203, 240, 241, 245, 249, 250, 271, B line, 550, 556, 560, and more.
Use the King County Trip Planner or your favorite app (like Google Maps or One Bus Away) to plan your trip!
Benefits of Riding the Bus:
- Avoid the traffic and parking hassle.
- Quick and reliable routes to shopping hubs.
- Warm and dry rides during cold winter weather.
Ride the 2 Line to Shop Stress-Free
The 2 Line from Bellevue to Redmond is a 6.5-mile segment that includes ten stations in Bellevue and Redmond.
2 Line trains run every 10 minutes between South Bellevue and Downtown Redmond, with service running from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. seven days a week. It offers fast, reliable service straight to Downtown Bellevue!
Why Take the 2 Line for Holiday Shopping?
- Stations drop you in the heart of Downtown Bellevue, and other shopping hubs like Downtown Redmond.
- Bike Friendly! Bring your bike on the train for the first or last mile of your shopping trip.
- Frequent service every 10 minutes means that you have the flexibility to leave whenever you want, without having to wait too long for another train to arrive.
- Skip the traffic and parking hassle!
- Free parking is available at Marymoor Village, Redmond Technology, BelRed, and South Bellevue stations.
Use Bellhop for the Last Mile
Skip the stress of finding parking during peak shopping hours. Bellhop, Bellevue’s free electric on-demand shuttle connects you to key downtown destinations.
Bellhop is perfect for quick trips between stores and getting to or from the 2 Line and Bellevue Square.
Download the Circuit app, hail a ride, and a driver will confirm they’re on the way. Please expect wait times of at least 10 minutes, as drivers pick up and drop off other passengers on the way.
Walk Between Shopping Destinations
Many of Downtown Bellevue’s holiday shopping areas are located close together, making walking one of the easiest ways to navigate the city.
Did you know?
Bellevue has been designated a Silver Walk Friendly Community by Walk Friendly Communities, and received a walk score of 94, assigning Downtown Bellevue as a Walkers Paradise.
Bike-Friendly Routes
Bellevue’s growing network of bike lanes makes it easy to reach downtown shops.
Check out the 2020 Bike Map [PDF], featuring citywide and detail maps, safety tips, helmet fitting tips, and updated tools and resources. (New 2026 Bike Map is on the way!)
Bike Parking
You’ll find bike racks located throughout Downtown Bellevue for easy parking near shopping areas. Secure on-demand bike lockers are also available at every light rail station!
Multimodal Transportation
Bring your bike on the light rail and the bus for easy first-and-late-mile connections. Every Sound Transit light rail includes dedicated spaces for bikes. All King County and Sound Transit Express buses are also equipped with front-mounted bike racks that can hold up to two bikes.
Log Your Car-Free Shopping Trips for Rewards
Make sure to log your sustainable non-drive-alone holiday shopping trips with the Choose Your Way Bellevue Rewards program. Every eligible trip by transit, carpool, vanpool, walking, or biking can go towards rewards like gift cards.
The Choose Your Way Bellevue Rewards Program is getting a major update in January 2026. Before the update launches, make sure to log all remaining non-drive-alone trips by 12/31/2025 to lock in your current rewards!
Turn your holiday shopping into a chance to give yourself a gift, too!