Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MAKING SENSE OF SEATTLE FERRIES
Ferries are by far the most fun means of travel in the Seattle area, and a handy
way to get to the surrounding islands, but it's not always easy to figure out how to
use the system. Schedules are pretty chaotic at first glance - not every ferry goes
to every island every day - and the payment system can be confusing, too.
There are two operators: Washington State Ferries and Victoria Clipper. Their
services are summarized in the following table, but see each island's listing for
more details.
Most of the destinations we cover here are served by
Washington State Fer-
ries
( 206-464-6400, ferry traffic info 551, in Washington 888-808-7977;
www.wsdot.wa.gov/fer-
ries
)
. See the website for online or downloadable schedules for all possible routes.
There are also notes about delays or service interruptions. A complicated code,
explained in the page's margins, tells you the name of the boat that will be mak-
ing each run, as well as whether it has disabled access, and specifies that certain
routes are only on weekends or only on weekdays.
Then there's a link to the fare information. Fares depend on the length of the
route and the size of your vehicle, if you have one. Also, each route seems to have
a different way of collecting the fares: some collect on departure, some mid-trip
and some when you arrive. These are specified on the website's trip planner.
Note that services to Vashon Island leave from Fauntleroy in West Seattle, while
services to the San Juan Islands leave from the Anacortes Ferry Terminal, 85
miles north of Seattle (follow the I-5 north for 65 miles to exit 230, then drive 20
miles west on Hwy 20 to the terminal). There's no charge for journeys back to-
ward Anacortes from Friday Harbor (San Juan Island); the full round-trip fare will
have been collected on your way out. Between the San Juan islands, transporta-
tion is by inter-island ferries, which travel a circular route exclusively between the
four main islands. There is a fee for vehicles (by length) and drivers traveling
west-bound only; there is no charge for walk-ons or bicycles.
oria, Canada, and from Seattle to Friday Harbor (San Juan Island).
Destination
Operator
Departs
Bainbridge Island
Washington State Ferries
Pier 52
Blake Island
Washington State Ferries
Pier 55
