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Washington State Ferries
Category: Hotels & Travel Transportation Public Transportation Public Transportation [Edit]
2901 Third AveSte 500
Seattle, WA 98121
Neighborhood: Belltown
(206) 464-6400
142 reviews for Washington State Ferries
142 reviews in English
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Review from Christine R.
4/19/2012
A coastal area with affordable ferries: the whole concept boggles my Canadian mind! We took a ferry from Coupeville to Port Townsend, and two people in a car cost less than $20! Just across the border in B.C. the fare for a car alone is $30-50 on most runs, not including the driver - a concept I've never understood. (How do they think the car gets on the ferry?) The boat itself was clean and free of mercifully clear of commercialism and gift shops. I even saw a guy with a dog up on the decks. How perfectly reasonable it all seems.
I think I'll be exploring more of Washington's beautiful coast in the near future. -
Review from Georgie M.
Scottsdale, AZ
2/14/2012
One of the things I really miss most about the Northwest is riding the Ferries!
This particular ferry, goes both to Bainbridge Island and Bremerton. When we first moved to Seattle I took the ferry to Bremerton and back just for fun -- I was hooked.
As Ferris Bueller once observed:
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
Enjoy the ride! -
Review from Jason R.
11/26/2011 3 photos
For $7.50 each on foot, we saw a seal swimming, a bald eagle with its fishy catch being harassed by crows, logs aplenty, gorgeous views, and people being blown onto their butts by the wind. It was cold, wet, and wonderful. The wind across the bow was more than hurricane strength, but you can stand just back from the bow and keep an amazing view.
We only rode to Bainbridge and back. We'll try other routes on our next visit. -
Review from Hannah Y.
10/19/2011
Why did I wait so long to ride the ferry?! What an eye-opening experience this was for me. I didn't think the process of getting on it was so systematic but it ended up being one of the greatest pleasures in WA to date. I was so sure that loading/unloading would take hours so I was under the impression that I would be totally wasting my time. But the system they have is awesome! It's orderly, quick, and painless.
For 3 people, it was only $28 w/ the vehicle. The ride was smooth. If you're like me and get ocean sickness, don't worry - you won't. And they provide little snacks on the 30 min ride to Brainbridge Island if you get bored/hungry. -
Review from Kristin T.
Kirkland, WA
2/28/2012
Beautiful views, fun to take day trips to the islands. they are VERY on time. Lots of fun riding the ferry. You get to see wildlife, sweeping views of the city. Great thing to do with out of town guests or for locals.
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Review from Richard K.
Silverdale, WA
2/19/2012
Combine all three into a one of kind $7 sightseeing cruise. Run down to the waterfront and hop on the Bainbridge Island Ferry for a 30 min cruise to the Kitsap Peninsula. Walk around the downtown and visit a few boutiques, taste test some local wine and then catch the free eastbound ferry back. Big ship, on board cafe, cheap fun.
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Review from wesh w.
Seattle, WA
1/31/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Fast, safe, clean, on-time: that's our ferry system. Thanks, WSDOT & WS Ferries!
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Review from Tom B.
4/21/2011 1 photo
I think it's fair to point out for the absolute novice that taking a ferry costs a lot more than taking the bus, or crossing a bridge. Of course, you have your car with you when you get there, unlike riding the bus. Yeah, it's an extra $20+ on some routes if you have multiple passengers, so check the fares before you go. But thankfully they take credit cards now, so with any luck it shouldn't mean an extra trip to the ATM or anything.
That out of the way, I can't say enough about how much I enjoy a ferry ride on my way to anything. Whether I am headed out to do something fun or put in a day's work on somebody's property, whatever it might be, the relaxing cruise on a ferry always puts me in a better frame of mind about it. The scenery is almost always great, and the salt air adds a lot to it. I dig everything about riding them, because being on them reminds me in no uncertain terms that I am headed somewhere I don't usually go.
Yeah, they're just a form of public transportation, nothing more, but they get me to a lot of places I really like. I can't imagine the hassles of getting to Vashon, the San Juans, or the peninsula otherwise. And there are plenty of other places besides just those most key destinations. -
Review from Ferdinand T.
Irvine, CA
6/15/2011
When i had my first full time job, as part of my job i use to take the ferries from Seattle to various communities of the sound. What a delight!
To truly appreciate a ferry ride ... you need to understand that it's not where you're going but how you enjoy getting there.
That's the ferry system. May be WADOT Ferry can steal that as tagline for their ads. I'm good with it. -
Review from Grace C.
6/22/2011
I took the ferry from Anacortes to San Juan/Friday Harbor. I was surprised by the cleanliness of the ferry, especially the seating areas and tables. The ride was calm, no worries about seasickness. Bring some snacks with you & enjoy the view!
My only tip is to get there early because some of the ferries fill up, especially at peak hours and on the weekends. For the return trip back to Anacortes, we just went ~2 hours early to park our cars in the line for the ferry at Friday Harbor. We left our cars there & grabbed a meal in town, and by the time we returned to our cars, it was time to load onto the ferry.Listed in: Seattle!
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Review from Frank L.
1/1/2011
After getting a bad case of motion sickness on the Amtrak to Seattle, I was a little apprehensive about getting on a boat, but it was such a beautiful day, we just had to do some sight-seeing.
We took the ferry to Bainbridge Island and back. The ride on that huge ferry was rock solid and my stomach was fine. We had a nice stroll through the little downtown on Bainbridge. The view of the Seattle skyline on the return trip was absolutely worth the $6.90 cost of admission.
I couldn't imagine commuting from the island into the city everyday, but the ferry system looks like quite an efficient operation. -
Review from Andrew K.
10/8/2010
One of the oldest, largest and most widely used in the world, the Washington State Ferry system is a ideal way to travel into Seattle!
Since Seattle is surrounded by water and much of downtown is on the waterfront, it is a very practical means of public transportation and passengers are treated to a picturesque view of Seattle, including the Space Needle, Pike Place Fish Market, Safeco Field, and a large extension of the Puget Sound area.
The ferry boats are accessible, running frequently and seem to arrive and depart right on time. We rode the Kitsap Ferry Boat , from the Bremerton Terminal to the port of Seattle. The ride was about an hour long and very smooth the whole way, both to and from Seattle.
The price to ride the ferry is very reasonable. It costs an adult passenger $6.90 for a one way pass.
There was a long wait in line to get on the boat. We learned that the three morning trips are always the busiest. Once on board, I was amazed at how many people they can pack into the boat. There were numerous seats next to the windows or directly across from them. Some chose to remain on the deck of the boat the whole trip.
It appeared relatively clean inside the boat. There are a number of restrooms and vending machines and a small cafeteria.
It was very foggy this morning and the fog became thicker as we began our route, crossing Puget Sound, to Seattle. The closer we got, however, the visibility got much better. We were treated to a great view of the Seattle skyline and saw large cruise ships moving into the port. Seagulls, in search of food, got very close to the passengers standing out on the dock. They almost seem to be escorting us along for the ride!
The fog burned off and the skies cleared up quite nicely by mid-afternoon, as we left the Seattle terminal on our way back to Bremerton. The view of the skyline was even more picturesque and, this time, we could even see Mount Rainier in the distance! It was just gorgeous!
As we made our way back to Bremerton, we saw many more scenic viewpoints, including seaport villages of Manchester, Bainbridge Island and Port Orchard along the Puget Sound. So have your camera ready because you will be able to take some amazing pictures if the skies are clear as it was this afternoon.
Really the one negative I noticed was that the large crowd of passengers can get quite rowdy. Some were even intoxicated. There were quite a few drunk passengers, some appeared "high" on marijuana or methamphetamine. What I really found troubling was that a majority of them seem to be teenagers. But they did not bother us and the noise seem to level off as passengers settled into their seats for the ride. It did not deter us from enjoying the experience of riding the ferry and we would gladly ride it again on a future visit.
So if you are visiting Seattle, riding the ferry should be on the list of things to do! It is a smooth ride, very convenient and reasonably priced. Moreover, you get to experience a unique way, with great accessibility, to enjoy stunning, panoramic views of Puget Sound and the Seattle skyline like no other!Listed in: Yelping Washington, Public Transportation in the…
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Review from Jerry M.
Kirkland, WA
11/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Fun Times
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Review from Timmy S.
8/9/2010 1 photo
If you visit the Seattle area, go somewhere on a ferry. Or just get on one and ride it around. It's an enjoyable experience.
The system seems efficient. Make sure you check the ferry schedules and get in line plenty early, especially at rush hour times or on the weekends in the summer months. -
Review from Daniel S.
Seattle, WA
6/4/2011
Unlike most public transit in this city, the ferries seem to run by their published schedules. That alone is a blessing for somebody who uses this means of transportation several times throughout the year to go and visit family across The Sound.
As foot traffic goes, there are few complaints really. For one who has only been with vehicle on a couple occasions the only complaint I can bring up is that sometimes the folks who direct parking onto the boat, seem to get confused, and then frustrated easily. This is a rarity though (by my count).
The rides are fairly timely, and I've always enjoyed them, and the scenery they provide while just listening to music, or short breaks between paragraphs reading or writing.
The food, is overpriced for the most part, considering the quality, but it should be noted that people should expect this, and understand what they're getting themselves into if they are that hungry. The burgers are ok, if you never had a problem with school food. Pretty standard items, nothing to complain about really.
Those slight things, might not be alone to warrant a miss of the five star mark, however since their inability or unwillingness to take control of the property just outside the doors of the terminal has lead to quite a number of uncomfortable incidents, I can't justify giving it a perfect mark. The vultures who wait around for anybody coming off the boat home are annoying, and sometimes very disrespectful to the licensed cab drivers who are actually doing their jobs. -
Review from Amy G.
10/28/2011
I was BAFFLED at the classiness of the ferries. This was like FIRST CLASS ferry ride. The price was totally reasonable ($7.50 for both ways) and the ferry left RIGHT on time. The ferry itself is huge and has wonderful, clean and clear windows everywhere so you can see how beautiful Seattle is from every angle. The chairs are incredibly comfortable and huge. You can go outside and enjoy the views and sun. We took the ferry to enjoy a relaxing day at Bainbridge Island and the ride was honestly one of my favorite parts. I cannot wait for another good reason to go on the ferry.
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Review from Aaron E.
11/24/2009 ROTD 3/30/2010
People call me crazy, but I actually enjoy my 1.5 hour (each way) daily commute. About 45 minutes is spent driving and the other 45 is spent waiting for a ferry, or on a ferry. Seeing as I spend nearly 4 hours a week on these vessels, it seems fitting I dedicate review #300 to them. They do, after all, greatly facilitate my commute.
I've found the ferry system to be a pretty decent, efficient mode of travel. Sure there are days when they'll randomly depart a few minutes early (damn those days, I hate having to wait for another one) and then there are days when they depart later than expected. Nothing is perfect so these not quite on schedule issues don't typically bother me, but with my luck I'm always running late when they leave early and am early when they're late. Oh well.
The ticket booth employees are all really friendly and I find the brief conversations I have with them are always pleasant. It's amazing how a smile, a "have a good day", or "do you like elk?" always puts a smile on my face.
I have yet to step foot outside of my car while on the ferries, but I hear they serve beer. That's cool.
Without WSF I would be stuck driving through freakin' Tacoma and up the peninsula to get to work.... which, yeah.... wouldn't be fun. I just wish the cost wasn't so high. Even with a discount it's obscenely expensive to ride the ferry each day. No bueno. Otherwise, WSF rocks my world!Listed in: are oh tee dees
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Review from Crystal F.
Bainbridge Island, WA
10/1/2007 ROTD 12/16/2007
Crystal F's Top Five Ferry Tips:
5. Tips for walking on in Seattle: 1: If you have a credit card and don't want to wait in line at the ticket counter, you can use one of the self serve kiosks to buy your ticket. 2: When running your card through the turnstile card reader, keep in mind the barcode faces away from you. It won't work any other way. 3: Rolling luggage and strollers can't pass through the turnstiles. There are gates that can accommodate them both on the extreme left and right of the loading area. In their infinite wisdom, WSF decided to post only one tiny sign stating this fact.
4. Alternatively, if you drive your car onto the ferry, please disarm your alarm BEFORE you head upstairs. The vibration of the vessel sets off car alarms. Not only do car alarms annoy people who are snoozing in their cars (the sound reverberates throughout the car deck), it disrupts my nap on the passenger deck when they have to make an announcement asking you to return to your car to turn the alarm off. You don't want to do the walk of shame to turn off your alarm, believe me. Hint: your car isn't going anywhere, unless it's like a hovercraft or something.
3. There are plenty of guidebooks to Seattle that recommend taking a ferry for a cheap scenic cruise of Puget Sound. It is indeed very scenic, but don't take the 4:40, 5:30 or 6:30 pm sailings from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, unless you want a scenic view of thousands of grumpy commuters. Hot Tip: Take the ferry to Bremerton. Not only is it twice as long for the same price (more for your money!), but you won't get in my way or sit in my seat.
2. If you ignore my advice at #3, decide to take a peak commute ferry, and sit down only to find someone giving you looks that could kill, that means you sat in someone's seat. Ferry commuters are infamously possessive of their seats - many commuters have been sitting in the same seat day after day for decades. Not much advice on how to deal with it, only that I told you so. In a similar vein, people start lining up to get off the boat halfway through the trip so that they can catch their bus on the other side. It's fun to yell "I'm king of the world!" while standing at the bow, but I recommend doing it during the first 20 minutes or so. Having to fight through a crowd of commuters so that you can head back down to your car is not fun at all.
1. And finally, please do not leave your luggage, backpack, drug paraphernalia, or suspicious-looking package unattended. Again, the unnecessary announcement asking you to return to it wakes me up from my nap. Worse, if you accidentally leave it on the ferry, the resultant freakout from the WSP/Homeland Security/Coast Guard will cause backups that will stretch into the next century.
Thanks and enjoy your trip -
Review from Scott K.
5/25/2007
I DON'T CARE THAT THEY COST TOO MUCH!
I DON'T CARE THAT OCCASIONALLY PEOPLE FALL OFF AND THEY'RE NEVER FOUND!
I DON"T CARE IF A NARCOTICS DOG SMELLS MY TRUNK TO GET ON ONE...
I LOVE TAKING THE FERRY!
I've lived here my whole life and I love the ferry system! There is no better way to get a days escape from the city and to get checked back in to small town America or the forest!
When I see a ferry, I see escape.
I like that.
... for a large part, because I'm often on the run from the authorities...Listed in: The Places I Go Out
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Review from Me H.
Seattle, WA
9/25/2008
I've taken the ferries many times in the 11 years I've lived here but it wasn't until I took my parents on them the other weekend that I realized how great they really are. First off seniors and disabled get discounts. Second if you tell them you would like to be parked near the elevator they know when to let you on the ferry so that your car is parked right next to the elevator. Third it's much easier than driving around through Gig Harbor to get west. Four the views are amazing.
The employees were awesome and knew exactly when to let us on so that we were parked right next to the elevator and all my mother had to do was open the door, and wait for the next elevator to come. Once we were up top there were plenty of tables near the elevator that we could all sit and enjoy the ride. For public transportation you can't beat it and its fun to drive your car on to.Listed in: How to exhaust my parents in…
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Review from Lee A.
Seattle, WA
8/26/2008
Did you know you can take your dog on the bus and then the ferry? Yes you can. In the life of a dog, that's like a trip to Italy. It was an exciting day for the little pooper.
Brutto got lots of attention, although he was somewhat upstaged by an Irish Terrier with a more raucous personality. Show off. -
Review from Carly L.
8/26/2008
Got stress?
For example:
Have no job?
Family driving you crazy?
Losing your Wii game too much?
Ran out of something you need for your daily existence?
Here is a way to throw all your troubles away.... get on a ferry. Go to the upper deck (if it's not pouring down rain) feel the wind on you, check out the beauty that is the Puget Sound.
For at least 30 minutes, your troubles will melt away. -
Review from Samantha E.
Alexandria, VA
9/15/2011
Too and from Seattle to Bainbridge. Simple, easy, and efficient.
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Review from David P.
1/12/2010
** Review 400 **
I think the fact that it takes about 4 hours to travel by ferry from Seattle to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, was a closely-guarded secret. I theorize that my traveling companions understood that if I knew it took that long, I'd bitch and moan. They were probably right. Four hours on a boat with waves, nausea, and nowhere to run? Ay! It turns out I didn't mind the trip at all. In fact, I loved it.
I stayed topside for most of the journey, in spite of the cold winds. For some reason, I was less queasy when I wasn't in an enclosed space. The scenery is bee-you-tee-ful!!! The Cascade Mountains, bald eagles, seals, killer whales (although we weren't lucky enough to see them on out trip), the open ocean. Food and drinks are served, as well. Toward the end of the trip, they start selling things at half price. Way to give me buyer's remorse for paying full price for that hot dog! -
Review from Nancy B.
Slickpoo, ID
12/24/2007
It has been brought to my attention that my most recent reviews have been a little angst ridden. Thank you for pointing this out to me. I rely on the honesty, care, concern and nosiness of my buttinsky friends to keep me on the straight and narrow. I am sorry if this has upset anyone, rattled your holiday cheer, scared your children or caused any angels to cry.
Perhaps now would be good time to review something that makes me happy, something that quiets the constant chatter in my head, something that sets me to calm. (Oh, shut the fuck up. It can happen.)
The Ferry.
When I was a kid we had friends on Lopez Island that we visited at least a couple of times a month if not every weekend. More often than not it would be just the dog, my pops and I. I would be on the look out for cops while we drove to the Anacortes landing at 80 mph to catch the last boat on Friday night.
Once in line, we would get out and run the dog on the beach, the pops would inhale something that Bill Clinton swears he did not and I would find a feather. A FEATHER!!! EXCITING!!!! Imagine! On a beach filled with sea gulls!!!! Ahhhh...7 year old Dlight thought it was magic.
Once we got on the car on the boat we would go up to the galley. Beer for pops, hot chocolate for me and a game of poker for stir sticks. Maybe a game or two of Asteroids and for sure a walk around the deck.
Pops: "Look D - did you see that dolphin?"
Me: "What?! Where? Whoa. Cool."
Then we would stand at the front of the boat and let our faces be blasted with the insanely fresh air and watch as the sea gulls dive bombed their prey in the water below.
Ok, I'm feeling better already. Maybe I will just blow out of work right now and go jump on the Bainbridge boat, or the Vashon, or the Kingston...wait - which ones were just taken out of service for being full of rusty holes? Whoops! Was that all negative and nasty? Bite me.
Instead of the nice boat ride I have to go home, wrap presents, clean the house, do laundry, pack, chair an AA meeting and then get up tomorrow morning in Seattle, but finish my day in San Diego. With a two-year old. So, again, sorry if I'm a little Christmas pissy.
MERRY MERRY!Listed in: Way Back Machine
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Review from Tricia H.
Sandy Springs, GA
1/26/2007 ROTD 9/30/2007
Oh My GoD!
How did I live without a Ferry System my whole life?!?!
I love the ferry, Hell I love riding the ferry on days that I am really not going anywhere, but what a better way to spend $5 then on a Sunny Seattle Day (hey, they are rare so take advantage!) with a clear view of Mount Rainier, the Cascades, and other various mountainy...systems.
My favorite boats are the ones going to Bremerton, just because they are bigger and the top deck is awesome on beatiful days.
I am saddened at the fact that I am stuck on a boat with hundreds of SCREAMING children at times...but it's okay. I can accidently trip them or just not move with they come charging at me. *insert Evil Grin*
It's help my business SOO much, opening up opportunities to brides who normally only have weird old guy photographers (who shot their mom's and grandmother's weddings) to choose from. Sweet.
And hey, after a ferry ride to Good Ol' PO (Port Orchard to most - the Fauntleroy to Southworth ferry) I love to head to El Sombero downtown...additional Sweet.
Yay Ferries!!
(ps. Hawaii is finally, possibly, getting a ferry system...yay) -
Review from Ian S.
5/29/2007
Yes. The ferry is not cheap. Truth.
They can also not run on time. If you're one of those people with a super tight schedule, you might want to start swimming or get one of those James Bond submarine cars to keep your appointments.
The ferry is sort of a kinder gentler version of the subway in a lot of places. If you want to see a bunch of random people, have some bad food or drink from the cafeteria (don't buy anything from the machines if the cafeteria is open), get liquored up just in time to run amok all over the small town at the ferry landing, or go outside and get some fresh air and look at the landscapes.
Depending on how far you're going, you won't have too much time to do everything, so make your moments count.
Also, I hear there's a special pervclub membership available for "activities" in the ferry elevators. It's a sister club to the mile high one. Just ask if they have a special for going "down a fathom" and see what they say. Also try the secret handshake. You know what I mean.
Have fun! You only live once (unless you're a buddhist or a hindu), so make it count! -
Review from John G.
8/21/2007
Took the ferry to Bainbridge Island. The fare was $6.70. Great buy for a cruise on the Bay. Being a tourist, I was fascinated on the inner operations of the ferry. Watching them load all the cars was neat. Inside the ferry there were tons of seats and tables.
I watched the locals read their newspapers or play games on the tables. Full snack bar and deli were available.
The top deck was open with plenty of seats also. It being a nice day, we stayed on the top deck going over.
Nice slow cruise speed, and the view of the Seattle skyline in pretty spectacular.
Ferries go all over the place and definitely worth the time. -
Review from Kat F.
5/18/2009
I took a ferry across to bainbridge with some visiting friends last week. They felt guilty for dragging me around but their guilt faded away when they saw how I behave on the ferry. It's like I'm still 5 years old! I can't decide if I want to be on the highest deck, or the deck where you can see the cars load. I can't decide if I want to stand at the back to watch them pull away from the dock or the front to face the destination. The answer to these dilemmas? Run back and forth and up and down and don't stop moving until you get to the other side! (This particular ferry ride was made even more insane by me texting everyone I've ever met to tell them that I was on a boat, I was looking for a mermaid, I'd forgotten my afghan, etc...)
$6.70 to walk-on, which covers both trips. If you have an ORCA card, you can use it at the ticket machine so you don't even have to bother with the ticket window. Our timing was good, so we didn't have to wait around on either side, but the ferries to bainbridge run pretty frequently.
It doesn't get better than WSF! -
Review from Sameer K.
2/12/2011
We took a trip to Bremerton on a Friday with 2 of us and a car. Getting to the ferry, getting a ticket, and getting on was incredibly easy and hassle-free. It did cost about $19-20 one way, but mostly because the car price is about $12 each way.
Inside was roomy with lots of seats. Bathrooms were reasonable for a short ferry ride, but by no means luxurious. Don't plan on using this as a home away from home. That being said, the ferry is a good way to take in a nice view and get where you're going. -
Review from Don B.
5/5/2009
Almost always on time, almost always afloat, almost always get me there. And best of all, heading Eastbound costs me nothing.
How could I not love the WSF system?
I have been riding the ferries since I was a lil'un. They've always been a blast. From feeding french fries to the seagulls (and having them swoop down and grab them from my hand) to riding the ferry into town on a clear, warm summer night and taking in the majestic views of the city, it's almost always a pleasure.
That's for walk-ons, of course.
Driving can be another story altogether, but that's no fault of the WSF system. That's just the thousands of other people going the same direction as I am. I'll stick with the walk-on action as much as I can, thanks.
Plus, who doesn't love canned safety announcements by Steve Raible?Listed in: Planes, Trains, and…, Sea-town Ballers
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Review from mel r.
Emeryville, CA
4/20/2007
I love ferry rides. Ever since I was a wee lass and we use to go from Bremerton to Seattle. I'd run around exploring and eat my cinnamon roll and other various junk food my parents gave me just to shut me up.
So now I'm a big kid, and I find any excuse to take a ferry. The views are bliss and take me back to childhood.
The Kingston ferry offers one hell of a perspective view of Mt. Rainer dwarfing the downtown buildings.
Bliss -
Review from Bonnie G.
Seattle, WA
8/18/2007
Taking the ferry is always fun on a beautiful day but even on a not so gorgeous day it is something fun to do. I like the Bainbridge Ferry because it is so big and lots of fun places for the kids to explore. The Sun Deck is always a hit. Raining? No big deal on this ferry because you really don't have to go out in the weather...simply stay inside the ferry and watch the views. It doesn't have to be gorgeous to see beautiful Seattle views from this ferry!
Giving this a 4 out of 5 because the price is expensive to bring a car on. -
Review from Julia Z.
6/7/2006 1 photo
Keystone to Port Townsend ranks right up there as one of the most pleasant short voyages anywhere. Twice now my daughter and I have been doing the Titanic thing on the bow (you know, arms outstretched, wind in hair, that bit) and have been thrilled to see porpoises leaping in front of the ferry at great speed, clearly enjoying themselves. One of these days was a sunset crossing, and it was just completely magical.
My daughter still asks me if the porpoises are going to jump for us when we're waiting in the line for this boat. :-) Like I can guarantee that!
The ferries they use on this run are smaller and older and somehow that makes it even better to me. Sure, it would suck if I lived there and HAD to use this ferry on a regular basis, but for a day trip, it is near-perfect.
Washington State Ferries are awesome. I'm still pissed at Tim Eyman and his stupid confusing initiatives which have sucked so much money out of the transportation systems, but I'm glad that the state is not letting the funding issues destroy the ferry system. -
Review from Alvin N.
7/18/2006 3 photos
Being a Native in the Bremerton - Kitsap Peninsula Area, your generally going have to tend to rely on Driving to The Tacoma Narrows Bridge or Hopping a ride on the Washington State Ferries to go to any destination.
You can Take your Vehicle or Walk on!! The inside of the Ferry is very comfortable and plenty of room also there is a Galley to buy Food and Beverages. Some of the Ferries have Internet Wi-Fi.
The Sights of the Sound are Amazing, especially to and from Seattle in the Evening to see the Lighted skyline of the City. Riding the Ferry is on my list of things to do with Visiting Family Members or Friends!!...its nice to see some jaws drop here in there =)
The Prices have slightly gone up over the years but with Fuel prices these days who would imagine. Check out the webpage for the WA State Ferries for more Info about Prices, Schedules and Destinations http://www.wsdot.wa.go...
The Best Cruise for the Bang for your Buck!!
I always count on the WA State Ferries =) -
Review from mark h.
Moses Lake, WA
7/6/2008
I love the State Ferries!
The Seattle to Bainbridge Island route is great for a trip on a weekend. Spent some time on the island, then grab a night time ferry back to the city.
Seattle is gorgeous at night approaching on a ferry.
*~*~Even better to walk on and leave the car in the city! :} -
Review from Tony S.
Truckee, CA
5/13/2010
Where do you want to be/have to be in life?
Several years ago, my wife and I (and two sons) considered Bainbridge Island, WA state, for residency. We thought: great schools, community, proximity to culture (SEA) and a water-front lifestyle. Unfortunately, while we made offers on several homes we did not get our chosen space in WA.
Nonetheless, the trek from SEA to Bainbridge in order to preview homes, understand the Island lifestyle, did not pan out. HOWEVER, the ferry service from DT SEA to Bainbridge was a pleasure.
I, my wife, sons, would go back and forth several times a week to look at property offerings or spend a long weekend on the Island.
I give 5+ to WA State Ferries for: consistency, courtesy, fees, on-time schedules, service on board.
Hope you enjoy the rides, too! -
Review from Doug C.
5/12/2010
Humankind has always come up with inventive ways to travel. We've built roads that stretched across the land to the shoreline. When we came to the water we built bridges across, like with the Tacoma Narrows. Actually, we even built that one twice. When we came to stretches of water that were too long to build a bridge across, we traveled across in boats.
Thus with the Washington coastline, a ferry system was needed. There are now ferries that run at regular intervals from Seattle to the peninsula, across to the islands and even to Canada. You can walk or drive onto the ferry, there's room for all. Fares aren't too bad although they vary widely; a senior walking on one ferry may pay a little over a $1 or a truck going to Canada could be over $400.
I've personally only done the Bainbridge and Kingston ferries, although the experience is fairly similar. To give you an idea of the experience, let me recount my last Kingston trip.
Trying to catch the 7:15 ferry back from the peninsula, I was racing along the curving stretch of Highway 104 outside Kingston. As it had passed 7 pm, I tuned into the AM message system that the ferries broadcast. It will normally broadcast weather updates, delays and volumes (i.e. don't bother hurrying, we're all full). Tonight it faded in and out, like the last playing recording in a post-apocalyptic world: ".....SCRATCH.....State Highway Patrol.....BUZZZZZZZ........Kingston Ferry.....BUZZZZZ......transporting gasoline........BUZZZZZ........State Highway Patrol.........BUZZZZ......Kingston Ferry.......transporting gasoline.........BUZZZZ......Kingston........BUZZZ Z.......Obi-Won.......BUZZZZZ.......gasoline.....B UZZZZZ.....you're our only hope....BUZZZZZ....."
The center lane in downtown Kingston turns into a ferry only lane and I made it to the counter by 7:11. The attendant was friendly and said she'd get me on the 7:15. After forking over $14.85 (they take Visa), I was wheeling my car around in line. They have several different rows of cars that wait for the ferry and I made it into row 9.
The ferry was already in port and cars were streaming off the ferry. It almost seems like an impossible amount; I grant you that the ferry is a large ship, but you wouldn't think that it could hold that many cars. When you look at rows of cars ten deep, motorcycles and trucks waiting in line, it almost seems like a physical impossibility that they would all fit. It's as if they store a few cars in a hidden extra dimension.
The ferry loads quickly, it only takes a few minutes to load twelve rows of cars and trucks. There's the lower decks for the cars and a passenger deck up above if you're walking or want to stretch your legs. Since it's a cool night, I decide to stay with the car and sit on the hood. The heat from the hood is a nice comfort with the cool sea breeze.
The ferry starts quickly and it's a subtle thing. It's almost imperceptible at first, but the shore is receding quicker than a hairline and I decide that we must have started moving. The view from the deck is amazing; you have the hills along the shoreline and the skyscrapers of Seattle in the distance. All dwarfed by the mammoth presence of Mt. Rainier in the background.
As I sit and admire the view, a twenty-something year old girl stops along the railing next to me. I decide to make small talk: "Hey baby, nice rack." She glares and moves away along the railing. I snort. Another fine example of the Seattle Freeze. I return to contemplating nature of a different sort.
An announcement comes overhead that gives the location of the lifevests in case of emergency (the passenger deck and stairwells). I idly note that we've passed the halfway point so that I know which shoreline to swim to if we sink.
The shoreline at Edmonds quickly approaches and the ferry cuts power several hundred yards from the shore. It's always impressive how quickly the ferry glides into the dock and effortlessly comes to a stop. Unloading the ferry is efficient; a boatload of cars is quickly vomited forth onto the streets of Edmonds.
A glance at my watch and the whole process took 34 minutes from the time I arrived at the booth in Kingston to driving away in Edmonds.Listed in: Grab Bag Part 2
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Review from Virgo M.
Bay Area, CA
3/22/2009
If Rachel Ray has taught me anything at all, besides EVOO, it's to talk to the locals when in new territory. Well I did just that and the locals suggest you squeeze in time to take a ferry ride. I am so glad we did!
Once in the building, there is a booth for Ferry 101. The nice guy manning down the station suggested we take the ferry to "Bainbridge Island" and walk about. I had heard that destination choice from the locals too so that was what we did! He also let us know the fare was good for a round trip. WTF? They don't nickle and dime you here? SCORE! Not like BART but kinda like the bridges in the Bay Area, you only have to pay for one direction. For two it was only 12 bux!
As we boarded the ferry, we noticed below all the cars driving on board. Ohhhh, this was one of those real ferries, like you see on TV. I know, I'm such a dork but I thought this was 'neat'
Once on board, it was very spacious and they had like a full on quicky mart. Not just like a counter with some snacks but a full on 7-11 type set up. The seating was abundant. They also had wi-fi and tables where lots of people were playing cards.
On the way back, the kid convinced me to go outside. What a beautiful site! Bainbridge Island and Seattle both possess beautiful shorelines! This is a must see and do!Listed in: Sleepless in Seattle
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Review from Jeff G.
6/22/2007
I live in Seattle and work in Redmond so I can't vouch for the Ferry as a tool for commuting. But for the occasional weekend trip or for a cheap water tour for tourists it can't be beat.
I regularly bring my out of town friends on the Bainbridge ferry just so they can get on the water and see the spectacular views. When I was out of work years ago and had days where I felt completely flattened by the job hunt I'd jump on a ferry just to pick up my mood.
The food is still pricey but it's gotten better in the last few years. And you've got to love the addition of alchohol. I could see that being a huge perk of commuting(believe me, there are times I'd like to crack open a bottle of Knob Creek while I'm stuck on 520).
I prefer the Wenatchee for it's huge upper deck with lots of places to catch some sun or hide from the crowds.
