United States · The largest ferry system in the United States
Washington ferry routes & schedules
Washington State runs the biggest ferry network in the country. Washington State Ferries carries millions of cars and walk-on passengers a year across Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands — from Seattle out to Bainbridge and Bremerton, and north through the islands from Anacortes — a genuine part of the highway system rather than a tourist add-on.
- 45
- Connections
- 5
- Operators
- 26
- Quays
- 29m
- Avg crossing
About
Ferry travel in Washington
Puget Sound's marine highway
For hundreds of thousands of people around Seattle, the ferry is the commute. Big car ferries cross Puget Sound on frequent all-day schedules — Seattle to Bainbridge Island, Edmonds to Kingston, Mukilteo to Clinton — carrying vehicles and foot passengers alike. The scenery is a bonus most commuters stop noticing: the Olympic Mountains, the Seattle skyline and the occasional pod of orcas.
The San Juan Islands & reservations
North from Anacortes, the run out to the San Juan Islands is the network's showpiece — and its busiest bottleneck in summer. Unlike the frequent Sound crossings, the San Juan car ferries use a vehicle reservation system, and summer sailings book up well ahead, so plan a car trip rather than turning up. Walk-on passengers and cyclists have far more flexibility. Our guide on taking a car on a ferry covers the essentials.
Destinations
Places to reach by ferry in Washington
Travel guides to the islands and fjords this region's ferries serve.
Quays
Ferry quays in Washington
26 quays with published connections. Open a quay for every route that calls there.
- Anacortes8
- Friday Harbor8
- Lopez Island8
- Orcas Island8
- Shaw Island8
- Fauntleroy4
- Seattle4
- Southworth4
- Vashon Island4
- Anacortes Terminal2
- Bainbridge Island2
- Bremerton2
- Cathlamet, WA2
- Clinton2
- Coupeville2
- Edmonds2
- Guemes Island Terminal2
- Kingston2
- Mukilteo2
- Point Defiance2
- Port Angeles (arrive 20 min ahead for customs clearance)2
- Port Townsend2
- Tahlequah2
- Westport, OR2
- Gooseberry Point Terminal1
- Lummi Island Terminal1
At a glance
Which Washington crossings run most often?
The busiest published crossings, ranked by number of listed sailings.
| Route | Crossing | Sailings | Operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fauntleroy → Vashon Island | 20m | 44 / wk | 1 |
| Vashon Island → Fauntleroy | 20m | 41 / wk | 1 |
| Clinton → Mukilteo | 20m | 39 / wk | 1 |
| Mukilteo → Clinton | 20m | 39 / wk | 1 |
| Bainbridge Island → Seattle | 35m | 38 / wk | 1 |
| Seattle → Bainbridge Island | 35m | 38 / wk | 1 |
| Lummi Island Terminal → Gooseberry Point Terminal | 5m | 37 / wk | 1 |
| Anacortes Terminal → Guemes Island Terminal | 5m | 34 / wk | 1 |
| Guemes Island Terminal → Anacortes Terminal | 5m | 34 / wk | 1 |
| Fauntleroy → Southworth | 40m | 34 / wk | 1 |
| Southworth → Fauntleroy | 40m | 33 / wk | 1 |
| Vashon Island → Southworth | 10m | 30 / wk | 1 |
Timetables
Ferry routes in Washington
44 routes departing Washington.
Friday Harbor4 routes
Lopez Island4 routes
Orcas Island4 routes
Shaw Island4 routes
Fauntleroy2 routes
Seattle2 routes
Southworth2 routes
Vashon Island2 routes
Anacortes Terminal1 route
Bainbridge Island1 route
Bremerton1 route
Cathlamet, WA1 route
Clinton1 route
Coupeville1 route
Edmonds1 route
Guemes Island Terminal1 route
Kingston1 route
Lummi Island Terminal1 route
Mukilteo1 route
Point Defiance1 route
Port Angeles (arrive 20 min ahead for customs clearance)1 route
Port Townsend1 route
Tahlequah1 route
Westport, OR1 route
Operators
Who runs the ferries in Washington?
Guides
Planning ferry travel in Washington
Practical guides to fares, booking and the crossings worth building a trip around.
- The Alaska Marine Highway: How Alaska's Ferry System WorksThe Alaska Marine Highway is a 3,500-mile ferry network and a scenic, affordable alternative to a cruise. Here's how the state ferry works — routes, cabins, vehicles and planning.
- How to Take a Car on a Ferry: A Complete GuideEverything you need to know about driving onto a ferry — booking vehicle space, what to do at the terminal, and how to board safely.
- Foot Passenger vs Taking the Car: Which Should You Choose?When it's worth bringing the car onto the ferry and when you're better off as a foot passenger — cost, convenience and what waits on the other side.
- Taking a Bicycle on a Ferry in Europe: Fees, Booking and Deck RulesBike-on-ferry fees, when you must reserve, how bikes are secured on the car deck, plus operator notes for the Channel, Greece, Croatia and Scandinavia.
Travel updates
Latest updates for Washington
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a reservation for Washington State Ferries?
It depends on the route. The frequent Puget Sound crossings around Seattle are first-come, first-served — you queue and load. The San Juan Islands routes out of Anacortes use a vehicle reservation system, and summer sailings fill up well ahead, so reserve a car space in advance. Walk-on passengers never need a reservation.
Which is the busiest US ferry system?
Washington State Ferries is the largest ferry system in the United States by ridership, carrying millions of vehicles and walk-on passengers a year across Puget Sound and to the San Juan Islands. For many Seattle-area residents it functions as an everyday extension of the road network.
How many ferry routes are there in Washington?
Washington has 45 ferry and express-boat connections across 26 quays. Each route page lists the timetable, crossing time and operator.
Who operates ferries in Washington?
Boat and ferry services in Washington are run by 5 operators, including Black Ball Ferry Line, Guemes Island Ferry, Lummi Island Ferry, Wahkiakum Ferry and Washington State Ferries. Most are part of United States's county public-transport network.
How long are ferry crossings in Washington?
Across Washington's active crossings the average sailing takes about 29m, while the longest runs roughly 1h 55m. Each route page shows the exact duration.
Explore
Other ferry regions in United States
Reviewed by Serhat Özçelik, Founder & Editor of Ferry Schedule Hub · Last updated October 16, 2026.