Getting there is truly half the fun on the Washington ferries. If you're planning a trip to Seattle, Whidbey Island, the San Juan Islands, Victoria B.C. or other parts of the Puget Sound, then taking a ferry may be your most direct route.
Ferries are fun for families because they are a novel experience for most of us. There is plenty of space to explore and there are beautiful things to see. Watch for orcas or other wildlife.
We've used the Washington ferries lots of times when visiting family on Whidbey Island and Seattle, but we still ran into a major snag when we planned a trip to the gorgeous San Juan Islands in Washington and Victoria, British Columbia last summer. So, I'm sharing my rookie mistakes and other tips to help you get it right the first time.
Here's what NOT to do on the Washington ferries:
Plan your itinerary without checking the ferry schedule
We assumed that Washington ferries traveled between Friday Harbor and British Columbia several times each day when we added Victoria to our San Juan Islands itinerary.
Nope.
After we had already made hotel arrangements and got excited about Victoria, we learned that there was only one ferry, early in the morning. That left us with only 12 overnight hours to enjoy the beach house we had booked at the North Beach Inn on Orcas Island.
Had we consulted the ferry schedule before we planned our itinerary, we would have done things differently. By the time we checked, it was too late to extend our stay at North Beach Inn because it was already booked.
Washington ferries are not the only ferries that travel to the vicinity of Victoria, British Columbia. There is a private ferry from Port Angeles, Washington. British Columbia has its own ferry system. However, Washington ferries are the only way to get to the San Juan Islands with your own car.
Check ferry schedules at the official Washington State Ferries site: www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/
Related: 10 Fun Things to Do in the San Juan Islands
Don't make reservations
Make reservations online when possible. This will ensure that you are not left behind on the less frequent routes. Reservations are currently available for the Port Townsend/Coupeville, Anacortes/San Juans and international service to Sidney B.C. I found it easy to make and change our reservations.
You can make your reservation up to two months in advance, when 30% of the reserved space becomes available. We missed that window, but jumped in as soon as the next 30% opened two weeks before our trip. We had no trouble getting in. The last reserved spaces open two days prior to departure.
Visit the Washington State Ferries reservation page here.
Related: Review of Whale Watching Tour with San Juan Excursions
Arrive at the last minute
If you arrive at just before the ferry is scheduled to depart, you probably will not get on – especially if you drive on. Even if you have a reservation, you must arrive well in advance.
At some terminals, the next ferry will be along soon. At others, it could be a long wait.
Ferries fill quickly on summer weekends. At Mukilteo and other busy terminals, the line can back up on the highway for miles. Until you reach the pay station, there is nothing to do and nowhere to go. I recommend arriving 1-2 hours in advance and avoiding peak times of the day or week.
Once you've paid and been assigned a lane, you can get out and explore on foot if the ferry hasn't arrived yet. At Mukilteo, our children collected shells while we waited. At Anacortes, we found a picnic table and ate our lunch with a great view of the water and Mt. Baker. The terminal at Sidney B.C. has a playground and museum. The Friday Harbor ferry terminal is near shops and restaurants.
Related: 10 Fun Things to Do in Victoria, British Columbia
Default to drive-on
Do you really need a car at the other end of your ferry trip? You'll save a lot of money if you can leave it behind. We decided it was worth the cost and enjoyed having our van in the San Juan Islands and British Columbia, but explore all your options before you decide to drive on the ferry.
Many top attractions, restaurants and lodging in Friday Harbor are located within an easy walk of the ferry terminal. The San Juan Islands are bicycle-friendly and rentals are available in Friday Harbor. We did not need to drive to our whale watching or kayak tours on San Juan Island.
Related: Tips for a Kayak Tour with Crystal Seas Kayaking
Forget your passport
We needed passports or birth certificates for each member of our family and spent extra time getting through customs when we traveled to Canada via the Washington State Ferry.
Adult U.S. citizens will need passports. Children under age 16 can use a birth certificate if traveling by boat or car but double check current requirements before you leave home.
If you will not be leaving the United States, you will not need passports or birth certificates.
Related: When Does Your Child Need a Passport?
Conclusion
Taking the ferry is part of the fun on a trip to Washington State. It's smart to plan ahead.
Always arrive early. Avoid rush hour and summer weekend ferries when possible. Check ferry schedules and make reservations well before your trip, especially if you're planning to visit the San Juan Islands where ferries are less frequent. Pack passports if you plan to visit Canada.
I hope these tips help your family plan a great trip on the Washington ferries.
Happy travels!
John Siebert
Thanks for the tips, very helpful. Quick question, should I make a ferry reservation AND buy Wave2Go fares (for my family and car) ahead of time?
Allison
We just made reservations and paid upon arrival.
John Siebert
Thank you, Allison.
Tracy
Just curious – if we’re going to the take the ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor, we have to rent a car to get there from Seattle…so leaving it in Anacortes doesn’t save us money, I don’t think. Is there something I don’t know about taking the ferry but not renting a car, and saving money? Thanks!
Allison
In some cases, it may make more sense to drive on. We drove our own vehicle and were glad to have it on San Juan Island. It sounds like it may make sense for you to take your rental car with you too. I do feel it’s important for passengers to know that there is a big difference in cost between walking on and driving on, and that it’s worth considering all possibilities before deciding to drive on.
There are shuttles between Seattle and Whidbey Island. Depending on your individual circumstances and plans, that may a good alternative to renting a car in Seattle.
Pam
Where should I look for shuttle information? We are flying into Seattle and plan to sight see for 2 days before we go to the San Juan Islands for a bike trip. I would prefer not to have to park a vehicle at Anacortes for 5 days. Could you tell me if shuttles leave from several places or just the Seattle airport?
Allison
Hi Pam! I have not personally used a shuttle service, but the San Juan Islands Visitor’s Bureau recommends Airporter. They make multiple trips to Anacortes each day from different locations in and around Seattle. Here is a link that will hopefully point you in the right direction. https://www.visitsanjuans.com/members/airporter-shuttle-bellair-charters Good luck!
Cez of eTramping
I think ditching the car and going on foot is a great idea! Thanks for the tips, cheers!
Allison
You’re welcome! I hope you have a great trip!
Dawn
We have seen information about walking on the ferry and spending the day in Port Townsend, but nothing about leaving the car on Whidbey and spending the night in PT as well. Is overnight parking allowed on the Keystone side?
Allison
Hi Dawn! I haven’t personally done this, but we have an aunt who lives on Whidbey and she gave us the following recommendations for overnight parking. I do not believe that any of these are “overnight” lots and so you would park at your own risk. However, it looks like it can be done. Here are some possibilities:
1-small parking lot next to ferry office, 24 hr. Maximum.
2-along the road near ferry landing, 24 hour max.
3-nearby boat launch parking area, part of Fort Casey State Park, so there’s a $10 discover pass fee. I think that’s for 24 hours also.
Michelle Lemus
Do they pull in the cars in the order of the stops that will be making so everyone gets off at the correct stop? Also, does it take a long time to get the cars on and off?
Allison
Hi Michelle. In my experience, many of the lines have only one stop so everyone drives off before the next group drives on. Honestly, I don’t remember how it works with multiple stops, so it must have been uneventful when we visited the San Juans and Victoria. The ferries often hold two decks of cars, parked bumper to bumper with little space in between, so it does take some time for everyone to drive off, then for the next group to drive on. Driving a car on the ferry can take a lot of time, but it can also be a lot of fun.
Dee Dee A Smith
Hi, the Mulkiteo to Clinton Ferry doesn’t take reservations. Does it help any to buy the tickets online beforehand?
Allison
If you can buy tickets online in advance, I always think it’s a good idea because it will save you time at the booth. However, I’m not sure if it will give you other advantages. The Mukilteo Ferry is one that I have used several times. It’s a short trip, but the line can get long at peak times. I would arrive plenty early, and go in the middle of a weekday, if possible.
Lori
We went to the San Juan’s this last fall and we were so glad we had our car. Able to drive around San Juan and Orcas which I highly recommend. Beautiful sights. One tip we received was go to the farthest island first. Only pay ferry west bound, everything coming east is free. Great savings. Yes it is worth it to reserve your spot. If you have to cancel you only lose $10.00. Hope this helps
Richard DRury
Rumors that we need some kind of health certificate to ride the ferry? True?
Allison
Hi Richard! I don’t live in Washington and am not a regular public ferry rider, but this appears a rumor. The COVID-19 page on the official WSDOT-Ferries website states that ferry users must wear a mask and maintain social distance in the public areas. Passengers with vehicles are encouraged to stay in their vehicles. Reservations are encouraged where available because schedules have been reduced in 2020 in response to the virus and decreased ridership.
I encourage you to visit the official WSDOT-Ferries website and research your trip thoroughly to ensure that you are up-to-date on policy and schedule changes. Here is the link to the COVID-19 information for Washington Ferries. https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/Notification.aspx
MPaul Hansen
Get in your car LONG before the ferry docks. There have been car-car and car-people accidents in the rush as the ferry approaches the dock.
Dotti Ruiz
Hello Allison, Hope all is well!😊 I’m going to my nephew’s Wedding in Port Townsend. We will be coming from the Bellevue, Wa. area. I’m 67 & this is my 1st ferry ride. Do you know if it’s common to get sea sick on the ferry? I’m hoping it’s not a choppy ride. Thanks, Dot
Allison
It’s typically calm sailing and I don’t think seasickness is common. I’ve been on other boat excursions in choppy water where many passengers (including me) were sick, but I’ve never felt sick on a ferry nor seen anyone who appeared to be having problems. Good luck!
Frank m gates
If your on stand by and that ferry is full and leaves are you on the next boat or do you need to get out of line and start over?
Allison
I don’t have personal experience with this, so I would contact Washington State Ferries directly with this question. I’m not sure how their standby system works, but I would hope that you keep your place in line.