I am going to be visiting Seattle next week for two days, although I will only be spending one night in a hotel (in early on day one and take the redeye out on day two). I'm trying to figure out if it makes more sense logisitically and financially to rent a car or to do the taxi/public transportation route.

I'm staying at the Hampton Inn in Queen Anne (700 5th Avenue North). I would be able to stash my car there for one day @$13.00/day but would need to park it elsewhere from checkout until late evening on day two of my visit.

I plan to visit all the usual touristy things in downtown Seattle, plus I'd like to get out on the water at some point. I don't mind walking or taking busses, but I don't want to spend excessive amounts of time doing this given my limited time in the city.

Truthfully, I have no idea which will end up costing more money, but I'm more concerned about wasting time than money on this point.

Suggestions? One "con" to relying on public transit is that I'm going to have to go back to the airport late at night, and riding a bus after dark goes beyond my comfort zone. FYI, my hotel does not have an airport shuttle.