Washington State Ferry Schedule

Be sure to pay close attention to the Washington State ferry schedule if you're visiting the coast, or planning a trip to one of the islands.

If you want to get the most from your visit to the coast of Washington State, you need to take a ride on a ferry. The ferry service in Washington State is one of the largest and most complete ferry systems in the world. It also affords travelers a view of the waterfront, rivers and ocean unlike any they have ever seen.

Boarding the ferry to Whidbey Island, Washington State. Reproduced under a Creative Commons license with the kind permission of Scrunchleface on Flickr

Ferries cross through areas full of northwestern fish and whales. You can gaze across the deck at the sunrise, catching the first rays of the morning sun as it pops up from behind the western mountains. Or catch the final twinklings of light as the horizon glows orange and red and the sun winks out beneath the western Pacific.

A ferry ride makes any trip to Washington State complete. It is the quintessential part of a true Pacific northwestern vacation and no trip there is truly fulfilling without one.

State Ferry Schedule: Seasonal Changes

The first thing to know about the Washington State ferry schedule, however, is that it changes with the seasons.

When the days are warm and the daylight lasts longest, the ferries run more often.

It is easier to catch a ferry any time of the day regardless where you may be going.

During the winter months, when the weather turns cold and the days grow short, the ferry schedule is also shortened; not as many ferries run during the winter months.

Anacortes, WA Ferries

From Anacortes you can travel west by ferry to the San Juan Islands. All tickets include round-trip fare. Ferries begin departing the dock at 4:20 a.m. They leave roughly every two hours with ferries scheduled at 6:20 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 2:40 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8:25 p.m.

The trip across the waterway takes a little more than an hour each way. Each of the scheduled ferries is handicap accessible, except the ferry scheduled 8:30 a.m.

Anacortes, WA Ferries

San Juan Islands, WA Ferries

If you are visiting the San Juan Islands and want to travel east to Anacortes, the trip is scheduled about the same. All tickets purchased are for round trip fares, as well.

The first ferry leaves at 4:20 a.m., then approximately every two hours after: 6:20 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 2:40 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8:25 p.m. The ferry trip takes a little more than hour each way depending on the tide and the current.

San Juan Islands, WA Ferries

Whidbey Island, WA Ferries

Whidbey Island has ferry service to take you to Port Townsend/Keystone and Mukilteo/Clinton. The ferry schedule begins at 5:05 a.m., with a ferry scheduled to leave every thirty minutes throughout the day until 9 p.m., when the ferries reduce to an hourly schedule.

The last ferry is scheduled to depart at 1:05 a.m. All ferries departing Whidbey Island are also handicap accessible.

Whidbey Island, Washington State Ferry Schedule

All Washington State ferry schedule changes are directed by the Washington State Department of Transportation and are posted online.

There is also a recorded messaging system accessible via telephone with ferry schedules. That number is 1-800-84-FERRY.

Ferries from British Columbia, Canada

International vehicle reservations are recommended for travel to or from Sidney, BC at least 24 hours in advance. Call: (206) 464-6400 or (888) 808-7977 for WA and BC, or visit Washington Ferries

US and Canadian cross-border travelers (such as from Sidney, BC) need to be aware of customs requirements and restrictions. Call US(360) 293-2331, Canadian (604) 535-9754, or Immigration (604) 535-5450.

NOTE: Information correct at time of publication. Always check with your chosen destination before you travel.

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