Ferry Rides in Seattle: A Fan’s Guide to Enjoying the Journey

Ferry rides in Seattle are a way to experience the city, the Puget Sound, and the skyline in an iconic way. At $9 for the best ferry ride in Seattle, it’s also one of the best cheap things to do in Seattle! But for travelers and tourists, riding a ferry for the first time can be confusing, but don’t worry, I’m here to help!

Keep reading to learn the best ferry riding tips that I, a ferry-obsessed local, recommend to enjoy this iconic form of PNW public transportation

Set on a backdrop of water and mountains, ferries sail back and forth over Seattle’s calm waters constantly.

Chugging along the coast, they shuttle cars, bikes, and foot passengers from islands to the mainland. WSF ferries are fun and practical! They can be a great addition to any PNW trip.

How I Became a Pro Ferry Rider

When I moved to Seattle from the midwest, it was a difficult transition. I traded in long, open horizons of the Midwest for the urban cityscape of downtown Seattle. Since I was, by choice, living without a car in Seattle I didn’t have the option to drive to the nearest open horizon when I missed home. Instead, I became a recreational rider of Washington State Ferries.

When I needed time to think or wide-open spaces, I’d walk 6 blocks to the downtown Seattle ferry terminal and board a ferry bound for Bainbridge Island or Bremerton. From the terminal, I could get 60 or 120-minutes round trip, respectively, to clear my head.

Over time, I became an aficionado of Washington State ferries. (At one time my goal was to traverse every single ferry route in Washington state!)

I learned from another ferry-obsessed friend many secrets to maximizing the recreational aspects of riding Washington State Ferries. She showed me what to pack, where to sit, and how to get the most out of the ride. Today, I’m thrilled to get to share that expertise with you!

What to Do on a Seattle Ferry:

1. First, Get the Best “Seat” on the Boat

When boarding a ferry from Seattle, race to get a spot on the upper-level outdoor deck closest to the ferry terminal. By getting a spot on the rearmost portion of the (standing room only) outdoor deck, you’ll be able to take unobstructed photos of the Seattle skyline as the ferry departs the terminal and begins the journey to Bainbridge or Bremerton.

On routes leaving from other ports, you can choose between the front or back deck, since a view of the city skyline won’t be available from those locations.

2. Then, Get a Snack from the Ferry Concession Stand

Washington State Ferries have an impressive concession stand. They even serve beer and wine- though enjoying them requires that you stay in the dining area.

I recommend the pretzel and the popcorn before progressing to the next step of enjoying a Seattle ferry.

3. Try a Puzzle

The thousands of people who regularly commute between Washington’s ferry terminals have a fun tradition: puzzles!

At several of the booths on the interior of the ferry, you’ll probably find half-finished puzzles. These collaborative projects are completed by both tourists and regular commuters as each ferry bounces from terminal to terminal. Because you’ll be short on time, you might want to brush up on jigsaw puzzle strategies.

4. Watch the Water for Wildlife

Even though a ferry is a form of public transportation, you’ll be crossing a section of the Salish Sea- it’s teeming with marine life.

From the bow of a Washington state ferry, I’ve seen harbor seals, swarms of jellyfish, and on one memorable occasion even the fins of an orca whale disappearing into the white caps. My whale spotting experience was particularly remarkable! Because it was 45 minutes into a 60-minute trip to Bremerton, everyone was distracted. While other passengers were occupied with their phone, computer, or travel partner, I was watching the water. After seeing that enormous black whale tail slipping into the water I looked around and realized I alone had seen it!

If you keep your eyes peeled while you are on a ferry, you may see a creature that you’ll never have another opportunity to spot in the wild!

5. Explore an Empty Car Deck

There’s something haunting about the openness of an empty car deck on a ferry. Washington state ferries are built to accommodate peak traffic, so in the off-season, it’s not uncommon for entire floors of a ferry to be empty. Passengers are allowed to walk through these public spaces, and they can be an opportunity for some great photography of scenery or even portraits of yourself while traveling.

💡 Hint: Ferries arriving to Seattle after dark are usually well below capacity. This may mean there are completely empty car decks. I think walking through these empty car decks has a liminal, otherworldly feel. Seeing the lights of the Seattle skyline from an isolated car deck on a late-night ferry is a magical experience and definitely worth including as an activity on a Seattle honeymoon.

6. Look for Bioluminescence

Bioluminescent bacteria are native to the Pacific Northwest and the icy cold waters of the Puget Sound. These bacteria glow when disturbed- and a ferry wake can create a massive disturbance in the water!

If you are arriving or departing by ferry after dark, be sure to stay on the outdoor portion of the passenger deck and watch the water for this underwater light show.

7. Stand on the Front Outdoor Deck at Arrival

Arriving by boat is a pretty amazing travel memory for any location.

Not only is the first sight of your destination ferry terminal worth vying for a spot to see, but the movement of water as a ferry pulls into the terminal is worth watching.

Washington State ferries don’t brake, instead, they turn on a massive jet of water that blasts out from the front of the ferry. The shades of blue, green, and aqua in these artfully churning waters are some of my most poignant memories of riding the Washington State ferries- and it’s a sight you’ll miss if you stay indoors.

Christmas Travel Tip: If you are going to Bainbridge at Christmas, you’ll definitely want to be outside to see waterfront Christmas decorations as the boat rounds Bill Point and arrives in Eagle Harbor.

How to Get a Good Seat on a Seattle Ferry

Tickets to ride Washington State ferries do not include assigned seats. While seasoned ferry commuters have favorite seating sections they’ll claim first, tourists shouldn’t worry about seats. If you are a tourist on a short ferry ride in the summer, I recommend standing on the outdoor decks to better enjoy the experience of riding a ferry.

If you are on a longer crossing (like Seattle to Bremerton or Anacortes to Lopez Island) or a traveler with limited mobility you will want to claim a good seat immediately after departure.

The Best Seat on a Ferry is Standing On Deck Outside!

If mild weather makes it possible, the best “seat” on a WSF ferry is standing at the rail of the bow or stern. Although windy and often cold, this spot is amazing for photos, viewing the city skyline, and for spotting marine wildlife (even whales!)

How to get this seat: this spot fills quickly on popular ferry routes. When boarding, rush directly to the opposite side of the ship to claim your spot.

Second Best Seats: Bench seats facing the front or back window

On most Washington State ferries, you’ll find large picture windows lining the bow (front) and stern (back) of the ferry. In fact, these seating areas will be identical but reversed on each end of the boat, since Washington State ferries have motors at both ends allowing for faster docking, loading, and departure. On a cold or wet day, these are the best seats in the house for sightseeing. Note, though, that on smaller ferries this area may be exposed to weather.

How to get this seat: On most ferries, this seating area is not in high demand (most folks who want to sit down for the duration of the trip want to do so in the comfort of fully indoor seating). Good news for Bainbridge Island travelers: on the type of ferry used for this route, this seating section is warm, dry, and fully indoors.

Good seats on a WSF ferry: Booth-style seating

Usually found lining the outer walls, my second favorite seats on a Washington state ferry are the padded booths that give you a front-row seat to an amazing view out the large picture windows lining the sides of the boat.

How to get this seat: While tourists rush to the outdoor decks at bow and stern, commuters quickly call dibs on the booths with cupholders, tables, and cushioned benches that offer weary passengers a chance for a nap. If your ferry is crowded, you’ll need to claim one of the seats immediately after boarding, not after exploring or spending time on an outdoor deck.

💡 Hint: Almost all of the booths have cupholders, but keep your eyes peeled for a smaller number of booths with tables between the benches. These are great for eating a meal on board, adding an entry in your travel journal, or working on one of the shared puzzles that ferry commuters collaboratively complete through the day.

Worst Seats: Inner Seating Areas

If you wait too long to find a seat on a very crowded ferry, you may find yourself with the only option of the seating section in the middle of the boat. I hate getting stuck in the seating area!

This seating section is the most stable when the Puget Sound winds are howling. However, sitting in this section always feels like waiting in a bus station! A good trip on a Washington state ferry should feel just as exciting as getting to the destination. If I’m stuck with a seat on the inside of a ferry, you’ll find me remaining on the outside deck instead.

How to get this seat: I have never seen a Washington state ferry with no seats remaining open. Generally, people come and go from this section of WSF ferry seating. Finding a seat here- or a group of seats for your party – is easy.

Packing List for a Ferry Ride in Seattle

• Outdoor Gear for current Weather + 1 additional Layer – If it seems warm in Seattle, pack a light windbreaker for your ferry ride. If it’s chilly in Seattle, bring a heavy jacket.
  • If you plan to spend time enjoying the outdoor deck, prepare for the strong winds of open water! Dress for 15-20 degrees cooler than the ambient temperature in order to be comfortable on the deck.
• A headband or ear warmer – The biting winds generated by a ferry ride on open water will numb unprotected ears before your body even has time to get cold. Plan ahead to be able to cover this sensitive body part- even for summer trips to Seattle.
• Travel binoculars – Tiny travel binoculars are one of the best travel purchases I ever made, and on a Washington state ferry, they come in handy. Use binoculars to get a close view of marine wildlife in the waters below deck or on the horizon. Get the pair I love at Amazon here.
• Polarized Sunglasses – If you want to watch for wildlife- including whales- polarized sunglasses are a smart purchase. By cutting down on glare, you can peer below the water’s surface to see marine life in the Puget Sound. I’m hooked on Maui Jim Sunglasses for the polarization + color enhancement, but polarized sunglasses start at $10 in Amazon’s sunglasses category.

For a more complete guide to packing for Seattle, see my Seattle Packing List.

What to expect riding a Seattle ferry: car, bike, foot passenger

Walking onto a Washington state ferry

The cheapest way to ride a ferry in Seattle is as a foot passenger. Here’s what you can expect. When riding from Pike Place market/downtown to Bainbridge Island, the ferry terminals are very much like you might expect from a small airport: glass-enclosed walkways provide easy access directly to the passenger deck.

Many of Washington State’s ferry terminals, however, are structured more for car access than for foot passengers. For example, on many ferries (including West Seattle, Kingston, and Anacortes) foot passengers board the vessel via the car ramp. Foot passengers can then climb to the passenger deck via stairs or an elevator.

When your ferry is approaching its final destination, you’ll hear announcements over the intercom system with instructions on how to depart the boat. Even if you want to ride right back to your starting point, you have to get off the boat as they reset and reload for the return trip.

How to Drive on to a Washington state ferry

As a native Kansan, I’ll never forget the first time I drove onto a ferry. While everyone around me on the boat was nonchalant about this typical form of local transportation, I was very entertained by the fact that my car was on a boat!

Even though I got used to driving on and off of ferries as I navigated life in Washington state, that wonder of floating my car across the water never quite went away.

1. You might need reservations. If you are navigating between any of the following ferry terminals, especially during peak season in the summer, WSDOT recommends making vehicle reservations: Anacortes, Friday Harbor, Orcas Island, Shaw Island, Lopez Island, Friday Harbor, Port Townsend, Coupeville. NOTE: This is EXTRA IMPORTANT IN FALL/WINTER 2023, as the WSF Fleet is reduced due to hull damage on two ferries.
2. You’ll pull into a line. When you get to the terminal, you will pull into a line of cars, usually designated by signs or painting on the road that it’s the line for the ferry. This might be a new experience, but don’t worry- it’s just like a restaurant drive-through!
3. You’ll pay at a toll booth. As the line moves (or immediately, if there is no line), you will reach a tollbooth. At the toll booth, a worker will look at the size of your vehicle and the number of passengers, tell you the cost, and take your payment. You can pay with cash or a card.
4. You’ll be assigned a lane to pull into. After payment, the ferry tollbooth worker may give you a number- this number corresponds to numbers painted on lanes in the area designated for cars waiting to board the ferry. If the tollbooth worker does not give you a number, follow the instructions of ferry workers directing traffic.
5. Ferry workers will tell you when to pull forward. Directed by either the number assigned or the gestures of the ferry crew, pull into your lane and wait. It is appropriate, here, to turn off your engine and headlights while you wait for the next ferry to arrive, unload, and prepare for loading.
6. You’ll start your engine when cars start moving. Unless you’re in the very front of the waiting lanes, you’ll notice cars firing up and lanes emptying. That’s your cue to have your car started and be ready to drive on to the ferry- being ready helps the ferry load quickly and stay on schedule.
7. You’ll copy the person in front of you unless redirected. Follow the car in front of you unless directed by the road crew- during loading there will be many WSF employees in high visibility vests and jackets directing you when to merge, where to park, and when to stop.
8. Your wheels might get blocked. If you manage to get a front or back-row seat on the car deck, a WSF worker will come and place wheel chocks under your wheels to prevent accidental rolling. These will be removed before disembarking.
9. You’ll turn off your engine and headlights: 🟡🟡Once you have parked, turn off your engine and be sure that your headlights are off.
10. You can stay in your car or walk around. Passengers are allowed to exit their cars and walk to the passenger deck unless specifically instructed not to over the loudspeaker (a policy put in place for portions of 2020 and 2021 as a public health measure)
11. You’ll drive off on arrival. On arrival, when the car in front of you begins moving, follow them. WSF staff will direct you how to exit and when to merge.

What to do if your car won’t start on a ferry:

1. Pop your hood. This is a visual cue to other drivers to help or go around you.
2. Tell the car behind you. They probably won’t be able to see your hood up, so let them know that when a side lane is clear, they should go around.
3. Find or Flag down an employee and report that your car won’t start.
4. Prepare to get a jump. WSF ferries act quickly to get dead cars started again. Once you’ve communicated to an employee, they’ll radio for a jump starter. You should return to your car, have your hood popped, and your keys in hand ready to start the car as soon as the jump starter is connected.