✈ Flights
Score: 76/100
Best Round-Trip Price
~$190-250/person
Estimated Group Total
$1,350-$1,500
+ Baggage (1 bag each)
+$420
Booking Window
✓ Optimal (10 wks out)
Price Trend
↓ Favorable
76
🏠 Accommodation
Score: 82/100
Best Option
Capitol Hill Vacation Rental
Estimated Total
~$1,200-$1,800
Per Person (3 nights)
$200-$300
Hotel Alternative
2-3 rooms @ $116-177/nt
April Demand
Moderate-High
82
🏔 Mt. Rainier
Readiness: 65/100
Paradise Road
OPEN (chains required)
Primary Trail
Nisqually Vista / Skyline
Park Entry
$30/vehicle
Drive from Seattle
1.5-2.5 hrs
💰 Budget Per Person
Under Budget
Flights (w/ 1 bag)
~$295
Accommodation (3 nights)
~$275
Mt. Rainier Day
~$75
Food & Nightlife
~$300
Estimated Total
~$945/person
Budget Remaining
~$255 buffer/person
Live Flight Prices
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✈ DFW/DAL → SEA | April 16-19, 2026 | 6 Passengers
Book Score: 76/100BOOKING TIMING ANALYSIS
You're at ~70 days before departure — right at the start of the optimal booking window (28-61 days). April is shoulder season with prices up to 40% lower than summer. Booking within the next 2-3 weeks (by late Feb / early March) should capture the sweet spot.
AIRLINE COMPARISON
| Airline | Type | Est. RT Price | Group of 6 | Nonstops/Week | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American | Nonstop | $190-250 | $1,140-1,500 | 47 | Most frequent nonstops from DFW |
| Alaska | Nonstop | $163-220 | $978-1,320 | 27 | Best April pricing; SEA is home hub |
| Delta | Nonstop | $200-270 | $1,200-1,620 | 14 | Fewer nonstops; many 1-stop options |
| Southwest | Nonstop | $148-210 | $888-1,260 | Multiple | DAL airport; bags now $35 (as of May '25) |
| United | 1-Stop | $180-260 | $1,080-1,560 | - | Connecting via DEN/IAH; longer travel time |
| Spirit | Nonstop | $148-190 | $888-1,140 | Limited | Lowest base fare; high bag fees |
BAGGAGE FEE COMPARISON (PER BAG, PER DIRECTION)
| Airline | 1st Checked Bag | 2nd Checked Bag | 6 Pax × 1 Bag RT | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American | $35 | $45 | $420 | $40 at airport |
| Alaska | $35 | $45 | $420 | Club 49 waivers possible |
| Delta | $35 | $45 | $420 | Standard |
| Southwest | $35 | $45 | $420 | Changed May 2025; was free |
| United | $35 | $45 | $420 | $40/$50 at airport |
Live Hotel Prices
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Inn at Virginia Mason
Best Budget
$116-150/night
3 rooms × 3 nights = $1,044-$1,350 total • $174-225/person
⭐ B&B Style
📍 Capitol Hill
🆕 15% off if booked 30+ days early
Graduate Seattle (by Hilton)
Best Value
$108-177/night
3 rooms × 3 nights = $972-$1,593 total • $162-266/person
⭐ 3-Star Hilton
📍 University area (near Capitol Hill)
🎉 Trendy & group-friendly
Seattle Gaslight Inn
$127-205/night
3 rooms × 3 nights = $1,143-$1,845 total • $191-308/person
⭐ B&B with character
📍 Heart of Capitol Hill
🍸 Best nightlife location
Silver Cloud Hotel - Broadway
$152-250/night
3 rooms × 3 nights = $1,368-$2,250 total • $228-375/person
⭐ 4-Star
📍 Capitol Hill Broadway
🚗 6 min to Pike Place
Kimpton Palladian Hotel
Premium
$155+/night
3 rooms × 3 nights = $1,395+ total • $233+/person
⭐ 4-Star Luxury
📍 Downtown (2000 2nd Ave)
💳 15% AMEX promo through April 2026
🛣 Road & Access Status
- Paradise Road: OPEN (year-round, may be Fri-Mon only)
- Tire chains: MANDATORY (Nov 1 - May 1)
- Grove of the Patriarchs: CLOSED (until 2027 bridge rebuild)
- Mowich Lake / Tolmie Peak: CLOSED (opens June/July)
- Park entrance: $30/vehicle (credit card only, no cash)
- No timed entry reservations needed in 2026
🌨 Expected April Weather
- High temp: ~39-44°F at Paradise
- Low temp: ~31°F (below freezing)
- 38% chance of precip on any given day
- Only ~31% clear/partly cloudy skies
- 87% average humidity
- Weather changes rapidly — prepare for all conditions
⛳ Available Activities (April)
- Hiking at Paradise — primary activity
- Nisqually Vista trail (easy, scenic views)
- Barn Flat trail (beginner-friendly)
- Reflection Lakes trail (3.75 mi, ~4 hrs)
- Guided tours: Evergreen Escapes, RMI Expeditions
- Check for ranger-led programs on nps.gov
💰 Cost Breakdown (6 people)
- Park entrance: $30/vehicle = $5/person
- Gas (roundtrip): ~$24 = $4/person
- Total per person: ~$9
- No gear rental needed for hiking trails
- Bring your own hiking boots and gear
🚗 Logistics from Capitol Hill
- Distance: 76 miles
- Drive time: 1.5-2.5 hours (avoid rush hour)
- Recommended: Leave mid-morning (~9-10 AM)
- Vehicle: SUV/AWD preferred; chains required regardless
- Car rental estimate: $50-150/day for SUV
- Tip: Check road status on nps.gov morning of trip
🔎 Real-Time Resources (Check Before Trip)
🟤 Day 1 — Thursday, April 16: Arrival
- Fly DFW/DAL → SEA (book afternoon arrival if possible)
- Check in to accommodation (Capitol Hill)
- Evening: Walk to Pike Place Market & Seattle waterfront
- Dinner: Capitol Hill restaurants (reserve ahead for 6)
- Night: Explore Capitol Hill nightlife — Pike/Pine corridor
🌳 Day 2 — Friday, April 17: Mt. Rainier Adventure
- Depart Capitol Hill ~9-10 AM (avoid rush hour)
- Drive to Mt. Rainier Paradise area (1.5-2.5 hrs)
- Arrive at Paradise visitor area
- Hike Nisqually Vista or Skyline Trail
- Pack lunch — no food services at Paradise in April
- Depart Paradise by ~3-4 PM for return drive
- Dinner back in Seattle
- REQUIRED Tire chains for vehicle
- CLOSED Grove of the Patriarchs (until 2027)
- CLOSED Tolmie Peak road (until June)
🎉 Day 3 — Saturday, April 18: Seattle Day
- Morning: Sleep in or optional activity (Museum of Pop Culture, aquarium)
- Afternoon: Explore Seattle — Space Needle area, Fremont, Ballard
- Pre-game at accommodation (rental kitchen advantage)
- Evening: Capitol Hill nightlife — bachelor party main event
- Bars: Rhein Haus, Unicorn, Neumos, The Comet, Poquitos
✈ Day 4 — Sunday, April 19: Departure
- Pack and check out by 11 AM (confirm checkout time)
- Optional: Brunch in Capitol Hill before heading to airport
- Drive/rideshare to SEA (~20-30 min from Capitol Hill)
- Fly SEA → DFW/DAL (book afternoon departure if possible)
✈ Flight Booking Checklist
- Confirm all 6 passenger names match IDs exactly
- Review baggage allowance (hiking gear needs)
- Book seats together or within 2 rows
- Review change/cancellation policy
- Check credit card travel protections
- Set calendar reminder: check-in 24 hrs before
- Share confirmation with all 6 guests
🏠 Accommodation Booking Checklist
- Verify check-in time (coordinate with flight arrival)
- Confirm parking availability/cost
- Review house rules (bachelor party appropriate?)
- Check kitchen equipment (cooking to save $)
- Verify cancellation deadline
- Screenshot confirmation & save to shared folder
- Message host about group size and plans
🏔 Mt. Rainier Gear Checklist (Per Person)
- Hiking boots (sturdy, waterproof)
- Waterproof outer shell jacket
- Waterproof pants
- Warm base layers (moisture-wicking)
- Insulating mid-layer (fleece/down)
- Winter hat & gloves
- Sunscreen & sunglasses (sun glare!)
- Backpack with water & snacks
- Tire chains for vehicle (MANDATORY)
📋 Pre-Trip Action Items
- Book flights (target: by Feb 28)
- Book accommodation (target: by Mar 7)
- Reserve SUV/car rental for Mt. Rainier day
- Make dinner reservation for 6 (Day 1)
- Create shared expense tracking (Splitwise?)
- Share packing list with all 6 guests
- Check Mt. Rainier road status (1 week before)
- Check weather forecast (3 days before)
- Buy/arrange tire chains
- Confirm all bookings 48 hours before departure
📋 Dan's Action Items
0/0 Complete
These are Dan's responsibilities. Check items off as you complete them — completed items will be removed from the group email updates.
Flights are on everyone individually (not listed here).
- Book accommodation (3BR Airbnb/VRBO, Capitol Hill)Target: Mar 7Dan
- Reserve SUV/car rental for Mt. Rainier day (Apr 17)Target: Mar 15Dan
- Buy/arrange tire chains for rental vehicleTarget: Apr 10Dan
- Make dinner reservation for 6 (Day 1 — Capitol Hill)Target: Mar 20Dan
- Set up shared expense tracking (Splitwise/Venmo group)Target: Mar 1Dan
- Share packing list & gear requirements with groupTarget: Apr 1Dan
- Check Mt. Rainier road status & conditionsTarget: Apr 9 (1 week before)Dan
- Check Seattle & Paradise weather forecastTarget: Apr 13 (3 days before)Dan
- Confirm all bookings & reservationsTarget: Apr 14 (48 hrs before)Dan
✈ Flights are on each person individually — not tracked here.
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