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A Curmudgeon’s Guide to the Washington State Ferry System

Are you visiting and want to know how to ride the Washington State ferries? My ferry curmudgeon says, "Don't!" But I know you're going to go against his advice and do it anyway, so here are some tips.

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by Cheryl

My spouse is a regular ferry commuter. He’s been commuting daily (except for just recently) on the ferry for so long that he’s become a certified ferry curmudgeon 1. Since we’re lifelong riders and very familiar with our ferry system, and I have this PNW blog, I decided to add a post with Washington State Ferry advice- tips for tourists and travelers on taking Washington State Ferries. With a few jaded tips from my ferry grouchfather.

Intro: Ferry Curmudgeon?

We’re ferry folk. No, that’s not a misspelling; we’re not mythical sprites who live in mounds in other realms. 2 We’re just regular humans who, for whatever reason, decided to move across the water from Seattle, thus subjecting my spouse to daily commutes on the Washington State Ferry system.

While he still insists that he’s happy that we moved and that the much longer commute time was worth it, it has also turned him into a ferry curmudgeon — both a ferry-know-it-all who likes to mansplain to me about how to use the ferries (even though I’ve been taking them my entire life as well.) including when to leave, how to use the WSDOT app best, how to check the cameras for current ferry traffic. I generally listen to these local travel tips without too much complaint (though I already know them). If it compensates him, in some way, for the hours he’s spent commuting, it’s the least I can do.

Since he seems to like offering his expertise, I decided to, a while back, ask this ferry curmudgeon for advice he’d give people- tourists, in particular- about taking the ferry.

“Don’t do it!” he exclaimed. When I asked him to, perhaps, consider that wasn’t reasonable, he said, “People are commuting here! If you’re a tourist, stay off the ferry with your car during prime commuting hours!!!!” 3

He brought to my mind Emmett Watson, a local writer who used to write satirical columns in the Seattle Times about his “Lesser Seattle” organization in which he wrote of the awful things about the area to discourage people — Californians in particular — from coming here.

For my part, I love seeing people out on deck taking photos of the skyline and enjoying themselves, but I don’t use the ferries for daily commutes.

Recently, commuting on the ferry has become more of a stressor — we’ve seen more delays and cancellations in large part due to an aging fleet with no new ferries on the immediate horizon. But just being one of Lesser Seattle’s KBO 4 agents and telling people who aren’t commuting to stay the heck off the ferries doesn’t work.

Our area is beautiful, especially the Salish Sea. Our ferry system lets us get around our waterways and enjoy the area.

Anyway, here are some tips for navigating the Washington State Ferry system from a frequent user, with a few tips thrown in from a ferry curmudgeon.

Basic Ferry Etiquette

Perhaps I should start with schedules, ferries that take reservations, etc. However, I think I’ll start with basic ferry manners since I too frequently observe a combination of cluelessness and bad manners when riding the ferries. Or, if I don’t notice them, my curmudgeon points them out to me! Or yells out the car window at you when you commit these infractions.

I’m not including one rule I heard long ago: “Don’t take a commuter’s regular spot.” There are no reserved seats on the ferry, despite what some morning commuters I’ve met seem to believe.

Pay attention to the traffic signs, and do not cut in line!

Occasionally, I’ll see someone maneuvering their car around traffic in front of them and driving up to the ferry booth. When you do this, you’ve instantly triggered the ferry curmudgeons (and most everyone else in line) into road rage territory. Most of the time, unfortunately, not always, the ferry workers redirect the person to the back of the line.

Often, this is just cluelessness and an unwitting infraction committed by someone with an out-of-state plate (yes, I check), but not always.

There are places at some of the ferry terminals where signage could be, potentially, a bit confusing. So, I’m willing to give out-of-towners the benefit of the doubt.

But, please, pay attention to the signs and traffic signals — starting before you get to the ferry line entrance. I’ve had instances where GPS maps gave incorrect directions, and there are places where I’ve seen someone ride alongside a road that runs parallel to the ferry waiting line and then swing right around into the booth — in front of all of the cars who have been waiting there for a long time!

But note that some people do get the privilege of driving to the front of the line to board the ferry. If someone is being transported for medical reasons and has an MD letter, they get to enter and exit the ferry first. Be sure, grouch, that you’re not shouting at one of these people!

Turn your $%@! alarm off!

Exploding Kittens promo on the Bainbridge ferry featuring the fact that people always leave their car alarms on.
A car alarm going off on the ferry is so typical that even an Exploding Kittens promo on the Seattle/Bainbridge Island route jokes about it!

I do not think I’ve had a ferry ride in which no car alarm started blaring.

The movement from the ferry will set your car alarm off. Please turn it off when you park your vehicle on the ferry.

As the photo above suggests, the offender is almost always something like a Mercedes, Lexus, or BMW.

Then, you’ll hear an announcement asking the noisy vehicle’s owner to return to their car and turn off the alarm. My hero was the guy who announced, in a bored voice reminiscent of Ben Stein in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, “Would the person in a white Mercedes please turn off your car alarm? I’m afraid it may have been stolen.”

I’ve not even heard of a bike getting stolen on the ferry. Don’t be this person. Turn off your car alarm!

Don’t door me!

Typically, vehicles on the ferry are loaded very close together. Over the years, I’ve found several dings in my cars caused by people swinging their doors open. I’ve even had people who threw their door open when I was there and just shrugged at me: “Oops!” Don’t be this person!

Do not have a lengthy conversation with the ferry booth worker. Even better, be ready with your payment at the toll booth.

Occasionally, someone will start having a long conversation at the ferry booth. I understand. You’re talkative. You’re being friendly. Maybe you want advice. Perhaps you know the cashier.

However, my ferry curmudgeon does not understand when you do this, and he’s in line behind you. While you have your conversation, he’s counting the cars, formerly behind him, passing through the other lines and, potentially, making him miss the ferry.

And if you want to be a true ferry pro, have your payment method already in hand when you get up to the booth instead of digging through your purse!

If you leave your car when you are in the ferry waiting line, be sure to get back to it before the ferry loads!

I’ve been the person stuck behind an empty car when its owner went off to get a bite to eat. I understand that you’re hangry, and maybe the ferry is late, but don’t assume the ferry will be late. Get back to your car with ample time to load.

Turn off your headlights.

There are signs all over the place at the ferries reminding you to turn off your headlights. But I shouldn’t be surprised how often people don’t do this.

Stay in your lane while loading.

Lately, I’ve been driving a big van around and sometimes get directed on the ferry without having to drive side by side with other cars. But, generally, cars are loaded in two lanes. I’ve had a few instances where people did not appear know what to do and suddenly swung into the other lane, right in front of me, when boarding the ferry.

If you are in a long wait line, ensure you’re not blocking someone’s road!

Years ago, I lived a couple of miles up from a ferry terminal, and traffic caused by people returning home from the Olympic Peninsula on Sundays would get backed up past our road. Sometimes, people would disregard that the dirt lane we lived down was, in fact, someone’s road and block it while waiting for the ferry (yes, sometimes the ferry line would get that backed up).

Please be mindful not to block someone’s driveway or road if there’s a long waiting line.

Walk-on passengers: watch your smelly food!

You are nobody’s friend if you sit right next to someone and open your tuna sandwich, can of sardines, or egg-salad sandwich, least of all those very sensitive to odors. Avoid bringing these with you and eating them in crowded public areas!

Navigating the Washington State Ferry System

Whew! Now that I have the things that pique my ferry curmudgeon’s ire — other people — out of my system, I can go on to more practical things, such as getting around on the Washington State Ferry system.

Viewing Ferry Schedules

Get the WSDOT app!

Even if you’re an out-of-town visitor who wants or needs to get around by ferry, I’d recommend getting the WSDOT app (iOS/Google Play) on your phone.

While it will only show you that day’s ferry schedule, it can give you essential information about how many spaces are left in the ferry line, as well as late or canceled ferries. You can even view camera footage of current ferry traffic.

You can also use the app to make and manage reservations, though I prefer to do it on the website and print out the reservation to have handy at the booth.

Plan your trip using the Washington State Ferries website

The ferry schedules on the WSDOT app are for the current day. Generally, the schedules will be the same for weekdays with some differences in the weekend schedules. It doesn’t hurt to check the website’s schedule if you need to plan a trip for a date in the future.

To be safe, use the Washington State Ferries schedule page to find the schedules for the route you want to take.

Can’t I plan my ferry trip using Google Maps?

Google Maps directions will include ferry times, as with bus departure times. However, I usually plan ferry trips using the WSDOT app or the ferry website.

Here’s a photo from some Google Maps directions that include a ferry:

Google ferry info

As you can see, Google Maps provides information about the scheduled ferry departure time and how late it is. The dropdown for the “reduced service” warning can be confusing. The “Vessel Chimacum” is the ferry doing this route. However, the Keller Ferry that’s out of service is on the Columbia River and has nothing to do with the Seattle/Bainbridge route. This alert appears for all ferries.

Making Washington State Ferries Reservations

Can you make reservations to ensure that you get on the ferry? Most ferries are first-come-first-serve. Get down there early to ensure that you get on the ferry.

Reservations are available for only a few routes. And, for those, you absolutely should make reservations.

The routes that accept reservations are the San Juan Island routes and the ferry between Port Townsend and Coupeville (on Whidbey Island). Note that making reservations only applies to vehicles — you do not need to worry about making a reservation if you’re planning to walk on these routes or take a bike.

But if you are driving on, not making reservations for these routes will possibly mean not getting on the ferry, especially during the peak Summer months.

You can make reservations via the WSDOT app or the WSF reservations website. I find it much easier to make reservations from the website. Note that the reservation cost is not the ticket cost — you can pay that online or at the booth.

I STRONGLY recommend printing out your ferry reservation and having it with you when you go through the booth.

Additionally, make reservations for these routes well in advance. They fill up quickly, particularly for prime Summer travel times. Check well in advance of your trip. They’ll generally open the ability to make reservations in different “slots.” For instance, you might find that reservations for your desired date and time are full, but it will say that more will open up two weeks before departure. If that’s the case, and that’s the day you need to travel, note what time the reservations open up and then be online precisely at that time.

Buying Ferry Tickets (for walk-on passengers)

As a frequent ferry rider, I typically autoload an Orca card, the local transport card covering the ferry and bus. My spouse regularly uses the ferry by car and purchases a multi-use card.

But if I were a visitor, only in the area for a short time, I’d just buy a ticket at the machine at the terminal.

For the ferry runs near Seattle if you’re walking on the ferry headed Eastbound (for instance from Kingston to Edmonds or from Bainbridge to Seattle) there is no fee and no need to buy a ticket. You’ll only need one for the trip Westbound.

On the East side, you’ll find both a walk-up booth and a ticket kiosk where you can purchase a ticket to scan when you get on the ferry.

Getting on the Ferry

On Foot (or by wheelchair)

Walking on the ferry is pretty self-explanatory. Follow the signs and listen to the boarding announcements. Get on the ferry when directed. You can sit anywhere you want or walk out on the deck.

While I’ve not tried getting on the ferry in a wheelchair, I know the approach to getting on the ferry as a passenger does not require any steps. Some approaches may have a bit of a slant, but such places comply with ADA, from what I’ve noted.

I’ve noted some accessible restrooms, and I believe there is an elevator from the car deck, but I have never tried to use it. WSF will post on their website if accessibility features are down. I would not expect to get a device like a walker, wheelchair, etc out of a car on the ferry deck, ever, as the vehicles are loaded very, very close together, not leaving much space.

By Bike

Cycling on the ferry is pretty popular.

For some terminals, you pay for yourself and your bike at the car booth. For others, you’ll pay at the passenger ticket booth. To learn the specifics of each terminal, visit the WSDOT bicycles page.

Typically, there will be a separate bike holding line ahead of the row of cars. Bikes get loaded on the ferry first, and unless you’re directed otherwise by a ferry worker, you’ll go right through the ferry car deck to the front. You’ll find some ropes to secure your bike to some of the rails.

If you get there with your bike after the cars start loading, you’ll be riding on after all the vehicles are loaded and will likely be at the back of the ferry.

Same as when you got on, if you are at the front, you’ll be riding off before the cars are unloaded, but if you’re in the rear, you’ll get off last. Depending on the terminal, there may be a bike lane once you’re off the ferry.

By Motorcycle

For a fantastic while, I owned a Vespa. One of the reasons for my getting a scooter was, specifically, to get on the ferry and scooter on over to Seattle at a lower cost and with less of a wait.

a Vespa waiting for a Washington State Ferry
My Vespa, waiting for the ferry. I miss her — and the ease of getting on and off the ferry with it. When you ride your motorcycle or scooter on the ferry, you’ll find a specific waiting area for them — not in the car line.

Riding a motorcycle or scooter on the ferry is less expensive than taking a car and pretty much ensures you’ll get a spot on the next ferry. However, I’ve seen a couple of confused-looking motorcyclists standing in the car line, gazing about, wondering if they’re in the right place.

They’re not!

Riding a motorcycle enables you to skip the car line. After you pay your fare, you drive up to the designated holding area and don’t need to stand around in the car line. Like bicycles, motorcycles (and scooters, of course) get loaded on before the cars unless you’re a latecomer.

Motorcycles and bikes on the Washington State Ferry
Unless you’re late, your bike, motorcycle, or scooter will be loaded near the front of the ferry.

By Car (or truck or RV)

If you’re getting on the ferry by car, follow the road signs to navigate to the ferry booth. As I mentioned previously, in my experience, GPS directions have not always been 100% with advice about where to enter the ferry line.

Sometimes, you might think, “Oooh” There’s the ferry dock!” It might seem like you could go right in, while the actual entrance for the ferry line is in a very different spot.

Let your GPS get you close, but if you see signs that say “Ferry” follow them and not your GPS.

After paying at the booth, the ferry workers will direct you into the appropriate lane. This may be a separate lane for large vehicles if you’re driving a large vehicle, like my Ford Transit van.

When the ferry is ready to load, please pay close attention to the ferry workers. They’ll tell you when to start going, if you need to stop, and where to go once you drive your car onto the ferry. In some cases, you might end up on the ramp that leads to one of the side decks, in which case, they’ll stick some wedges under your tires. Being on “the hill” is my daughter’s least favorite spot.

Driving a big vehicle on the ferry

You can drive a large van, truck, trailer, or RV onto the ferry. I even saw one charming hobbit-house-type trailer once that seemed just barely short enough to get on the boat!

a cabin trailer waiting for the washington state ferry
I covet this trailer! But it was just short enough to make it onto the ferry!

They do have max weight and size restrictions as stated on their page on the subject:

  • Gross vehicle weight (GVW) of more than 80,000 pounds
  • More than 8 feet, 6 inches wide
  • Ground clearance of less than 14 inches
  • More than 13 feet, 4 inches tall

If you exceed those, you must submit a form (available on that same page) before your trip.

When you drive a large vehicle on the ferry, they’ll typically direct you into a special lane at the booth. When it’s time to load, they’ll load you in the center of the vessel where the ceiling is high (though one ferry had surprisingly high sides, and they loaded my Transit van there).

Some quirks I’ve found about different routes

I’ve not taken every route there is to take — I frequent the Edmonds/Kingston and Seattle/Bainbridge routes. However, I have taken many, many of the routes and wanted to add a little area to write some specific stuff I’ve found about each route:

Port Townsend/Coupeville

If I had to quickly think of a word or two associated with this route, aside from “beautiful,” it would be: “potentially choppy.” If you are traveling on a nice, calm day, it’s a beautiful ride. But the combination of the ferry on this route and Admiralty Inlet can make for a choppy ride in rougher weather.

Again, this is one of the ferry routes that accepts reservations. Also note that while it is called the Port Townsend/Coupeville route, it does not come right into the town of Coupeville but, instead, by Fort Casey State Park. You do not need to travel this route to get to Whidbey Island. People on the Seattle side typically take the Mukilteo/Clinton ferry, which does not accept reservations. You can also drive to Whidbey Island from Fidalgo Island over the Deception Pass Bridge.

Southworth/Fauntleroy/Vashon

I haven’t taken this ferry for some time but had a strange loading experience here.

Typically, ferries are loaded with you driving on one end of the ferry and then off the other when it arrives.

But, at least when I last took this run several years ago, they made me back onto the ferry, which felt…odd, to say the least!

Anything else?

But what about the Port Angeles ferry?

Are you talking about the Coho ferry? That’s not a Washington State ferry. The Coho ferry is a great way to get to Vancouver, B.C., but is run by the Black Ball ferry line.

And for my ferry curmudgeon: don’t lose sight of the fact that it’s beautiful here!

It’s easy to get irritable and cynical when faced with a long commute, late ferries, and idiots. But from your commute, you’ve also pointed out the spectacular views of Mt. Rainier that you’ve seen in the morning, and I’ve seen sights like a pod of orcas surfacing in the midst as the ferry approached the Edmonds dock. These are the things I like to think about when thinking about taking the ferry.

Are you a regular ferry rider with additional suggestions or do you have a question? Leave a comment.
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Anything I forgot, here, about the Washington State Ferries or anything else you want to add about Washington State Ferry advice...or ask?x

Footnotes

  1. Well, no, there’s not an actual certification for this, but I’m tempted to make a graduation certificate when he finally retires. Also, he once pronounced the word crud-mudgeon. Which I think should be the actual word.[]
  2. Though my spouse certainly would live in a hobbit house if he could![]
  3. Yes, there are buses, and he did commute by bus, or sometimes by bike, for years, but it became unfeasible later for several reasons.[]
  4. Keep the bastards out![]

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Terms for this post:

Getting Around in the PNW | Ferries | Pacific Northwest Blog

Ferries | PNW Travel | PNW Travel Tips for Tourists | Puget Sound | transportation | Washington State | Washington State Ferries

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