If you use the commandline wallet then you can restore a local wallet file from the seed.

First launch the daemon and let it complete the sync/ download of the blockchain (might take a 1/2 day). Once that is done you can launch the wallet with the right option:


You'll be asked to provide a (new) password (for your local wallet file) and provide the seed words. Once that is done the wallet will sync with the deamon and you should have access to your coins.

I have no idea how or if that works with the GUI based wallet. Never used those.