Despite congested traffic and expensive parking, there are ways to get around Seattle on the cheap - with or without your own set of wheels. Make use of the Metro Transit system.
Fares cost slightly more during peak hours.
Take advantage of the downtown Ride Free Zone. Within most of downtown Seattle, the bus system is free between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., and you can get around a fairly large area without paying for your ride. This is especially useful if you plan to do a lot of sight-seeing in one day, since Seattle's downtown core covers a relatively large area with lots of steep hills. Figure out when to pay your fare. Because of the downtown Ride Free Zone, travelers on buses leaving downtown pay as they leave the bus, rather than as they board.