7 Washington Ferry Rides That Feel Like A Mini Cruise For Just A Few Dollars
Four dollars and a little patience can buy you a seat on the open water, with snowcapped peaks on one side and evergreen islands on the other. Washington runs the biggest ferry system in the country, yet plenty of locals only think of it as a way to get to work.
Hop on as a walk-on passenger, though, and a short crossing starts to feel like a tiny vacation at sea. These seven rides prove that a cruise-worthy day does not need a cruise-sized price tag.
1. Bainbridge Island Ferry, Seattle, WA
Seattle looks its absolute best when it is shrinking behind you. From the stern of the Bainbridge boat, the skyline slides away piece by piece while the Olympic Mountains rise up ahead.
Suddenly a regular Saturday feels like the first morning of a vacation.
The crossing from the Seattle Ferry Terminal on Alaskan Way runs about 35 minutes, which is just enough time to grab a window seat, wander out to the deck, and watch evergreen shorelines come into focus. On clear days, Mount Rainier shows up too, looking almost painted onto the sky.
Here is the best part for anyone watching a budget. Walk-on passengers pay only for the trip to the island, and the ride back to Seattle is free, so a round trip has recently cost around ten dollars for an adult.
Once you land, little shops and cafes in downtown Winslow sit an easy stroll from the dock.
A quick tip worth remembering: arrive early. Sailings fill up and schedules do not wait, so missing a boat by minutes can mean an hour or more on the dock.
Restrooms are available at the terminal, and paid parking is nearby.
2. Keller Ferry, Wilbur, WA
Free is a hard price to beat. Out in rural eastern Washington, where wheat fields roll toward the Columbia River, the Keller Ferry carries cars and passengers across the water without charging a single cent.
The boat runs on WA-21 between the Wilbur area and the small community of Keller, crossing where the river widens into Lake Roosevelt. It is a short hop, but the scenery punches well above its weight.
Tall, sun-baked hillsides frame the water on both sides, and the deck offers a sweeping view of the whole area.
Service is quick and steady, with crews loading and unloading vehicles all day long. Waits tend to stay short, and the deck hands have a reputation for friendly waves and clear directions about where to park.
There is even a restroom at the landing, which families on a long drive will appreciate.
Think of it as the most laid-back cruise in the state. Pair the crossing with a picnic, a scenic loop through Grand Coulee country, or a slow drive along the river.
It may be the easiest way to add a little adventure to a road trip for exactly zero dollars.
3. Mukilteo Ferry Terminal
Twenty minutes. That is roughly all it takes to trade the mainland for Whidbey Island on the Mukilteo-Clinton run, one of the shortest and busiest crossings on Puget Sound.
The terminal itself deserves a mention. A newer building on Front Street replaced the old one a few years back, and it handles cars, traffic, and foot passengers far more smoothly than before.
It is clean, bright, and thoughtfully designed, so even waiting in line feels pleasant.
Out on the water, the views open wide. The Mukilteo Lighthouse stands near the shore as the boat pulls away, and the Sound stretches out in every direction while the island grows greener by the minute.
For a quick, fresh-air escape, few outings feel more satisfying.
Walk-on fares here rank among the lowest in the ferry system, with a recent adult round trip running somewhere around six to eight dollars. Clinton opens the door to south Whidbey beaches, villages, and state parks.
The terminal also connects well with public transit, making a car-free day trip very doable.
Free and paid parking lots sit close by, and restrooms are on site.
4. Edmonds Ferry Dock, Edmonds, WA
Few ferry docks come with a beach town attached, but Edmonds pulls it off beautifully. Step out of the car or off the train, and you are within strolling distance of waterfront restaurants, sandy shoreline, and some of the best mountain views on the Sound.
Boats leave from the dock on WA-104 and cross to Kingston on the Kitsap Peninsula in about 30 minutes. Along the way, the Cascades line up behind you while the Olympics fill the horizon ahead.
Kingston, nicknamed the Little City by the Sea, keeps its own cozy shops and eateries just a few blocks from the landing.
First-timers tend to feel right at home here. Staff at the gate are known for being patient and walking newcomers through what to expect, and the terminal stays clean and well managed.
There are even spots to stretch your legs or walk a dog before boarding.
Budget-wise, a walk-on round trip has recently landed somewhere between eight and eleven dollars for adults. Drivers should know one quirk: vehicles can only approach the terminal from the south, heading north along Edmonds Way.
Paid parking and restrooms are available near the dock.
5. Friday Harbor Ferry Dock, Friday Harbor, WA
Whale spotting, island hopping, and a bustling harbor town at the finish line. The voyage from Anacortes to Friday Harbor is the closest thing Washington has to a true cruise, and it can last up to three hours depending on stops at Lopez, Shaw, and Orcas.
Every bend in the route reveals something new. Forested islands drift past, seabirds skim the water, and lucky riders may catch sight of whales in the Salish Sea.
It is widely considered one of the most scenic ferry routes in the country, and few who make the trip would argue.
Walking on is the thrifty way to go. Adult round-trip passenger fares from Anacortes have recently ranged from about ten to sixteen dollars, and foot passengers generally ride free on inter-island hops and on the trip back east.
Drivers, on the other hand, should reserve ahead, since standby lines can stretch for hours.
Once you arrive, the dock on Front Street sits right next to town. Shops, eateries, clam chowder, and ice cream are all steps away, so waiting for the return boat never feels like a chore.
The terminal is easy to navigate, with restrooms on site.
6. Point Defiance, Tacoma, WA
Back in 1951, the state began running boats between Tacoma’s Point Defiance and Tahlequah on the southern tip of Vashon Island. More than seven decades later, the route still offers one of the most relaxed ways for South Sound families to get out on the water.
The terminal sits on North Pearl Street beside Point Defiance Park, so a ferry ride can easily become a full day. Stroll the park’s trails in the morning, then hop aboard for a 15-minute cruise across Dalco Passage.
Salt air, gliding gulls, and wide views of the Sound make the short trip feel longer in the best possible way.
Pricing is refreshingly simple. Fares are collected only when leaving Tacoma, and the ride back from Tahlequah is free for passengers, with a recent adult foot fare around seven or eight dollars.
Vashon’s quiet south end rewards walkers and bikers with rural roads and a slower pace.
Timing matters a little. Weekday afternoons and Friday evenings tend to be busiest, while Sunday mornings are usually calm.
A free parking lot and restrooms make the whole outing easy, even with little ones in tow.
7. Port Townsend-Coupeville Ferry
Victorian rooftops on one shore, a historic fort on the other, and a sparkling stretch of Admiralty Inlet in between. The Port Townsend-Coupeville ferry links the Olympic Peninsula with Whidbey Island, and it may be the most storybook crossing in the whole system.
Port Townsend makes a charming send-off, with its brick storefronts and old-fashioned seaport feel. Once aboard, the roughly 30-minute trip serves up views of the Olympic Mountains and open water where Puget Sound meets the strait.
On the far side, the Coupeville landing sits near Fort Casey State Park, a favorite for exploring old bunkers and lighthouse grounds.
For travelers counting pennies, this route is a small miracle. A one-way adult walk-on ticket has recently cost only a few dollars, somewhere around four and change.
That turns a scenic half hour at sea into one of the best bargains in the state.
The crossing also saves a long drive around the Sound, which makes it handy for loop trips. Try riding over in the morning, exploring Coupeville’s waterfront or the fort, then catching an afternoon boat back as the light turns golden over the mountains.