Freebies, discounts and new routes on Washington ferries this summer
Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer, and Washington state's extensive ferry system is ready. Washington State Ferries see double the typical number of riders during the summer months, which the agency calls 'their Superbowl.'
If you're one of WSF's 19 million annual riders and plan to use ferries for summer travel, recent changes could have a positive impact on your wait time and wallet. Those changes could cause some short-term cancellations, so it's essential to know alternate routes and how to stay informed.
Here are some of the changes that could impact riders this summer.
Ferries are returning to nearly full domestic service this summer, nearly three years ahead of schedule. A March 2025 directive from Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson pushed back the planned launch of hybrid electric ferries in favor of restoring full domestic service by summer.
'Since COVID, we have slowly increased service,' said WSF's spokesperson Dana Warr in an interview with McClatchy. 'We have more than 400 sailings a day.'
According to WSF, 18 vessels will be added into active service starting in mid-June. Here are some specifics:
Seattle/Bremerton route: Two-boat schedule to resume from Sunday, June 15.
Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth 'Triangle' route: Pre-pandemic three-boat route schedule will start on Monday, June 30.
Port Townsend/Coupeville route: A second vessel will operate on Friday through Monday from July 4 through Oct. 13.
San Juan Islands: New summer schedule launching to improve timeliness.
Beyond the new service additions, there are several discounts and deals to be aware of on WSF, as well as other regional ferry systems.
Free rides
WSF allows riders who are 18 and younger to ride for free. Tickets must be obtained at the ferry terminal, not online or at self-serve kiosks, and are good for two hours. Riders also can use an ORCA pass. Drivers under 19 years old must still pay the full adult fare and vehicle fee. The service is part of the state's Move Ahead Washington transportation package, which includes free rides on Amtrak, too.
Discounted rides
Many customers can get discounts on WSF, including:
Reduced fares for the disabled
Senior discounts
Multi-use passes that lead to savings after a threshold of uses is met
You can use the ferry system ticket page to calculate your fare in advance, as prices vary on location and route.
Other ferry deals
Washington is home to several private, county and island ferry operations, and WSDOT maintains a list of those systems online. A couple that offer deals and discounts include San Juan Safaris and Kitsap Transit Fast Ferries.
Wildlife and whale watching tour company San Juan Safaris is partnering with San Juan County to offer free rides to walk-on customers who are traveling between Anacortes and Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands.
Kitsap Transit Fast Ferries offers reduced fares as well as fare promotion programs like free travel to an attendant on board with a disabled customer.
With all of the changes, WSF wants riders to be aware that the new vessels and services are likely to increase the risk of short-term cancellations. Essentially, new services will mean temporary staffing shortages, which could lead to delays for riders in some cases.
According to Warr, those delays could be anywhere from 1-3 hours, particularly on heavily-traveled holiday weekends.
Other things can lead to delays as well, including impaired customers who drive a vehicle onto the ferry or who cause a disturbance. In fact, a newly-updated policy makes interventions with these types of customers more likely. That could include things like identifying an impaired driver who drove onto the ferry but can't be allowed to drive off, or intervening in a disruption.
'That updated policy empowers staff to make decisions they didn't have the power to make before,' WSF's Warr said, emphasizing that 'ferry crews are not law enforcement.' Those decisions could include things like intervening if a rider becomes disruptive or assisting law enforcement officials on the vessel when the need arises.
Even so, Warr notes that they rely on riders to obey the clearly posted signs on boats that list WSF's code of conduct.
'Why start a fight on a ferry?' Warr said. 'There's nowhere to go.'
Here are some of WSF's recommendations for riders who want to avoid delays:
Text or email alerts: Travel alert bulletins require a free subscription for the service, which is staff-operated from 4:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Overnight alerts are sent on a limited basis.
Customer contact center: WSF customer service operates daily from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 206-464-6400 or 888-808-7977 or by email at wsfinfo@wsdot.wa.gov.
WSDOT app: The WSDOT app includes ferry schedules, real-time maps and service bulletins.
Trip planning tools: Update and planning tools include sailing schedules by route, a real-time map with the current position and status of every vessel and terminal, wait time and camera information.
Social and traditional media: Automated rider alerts can be found on the WSF website, on WSF's X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky accounts. Social accounts are monitored Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.to 5 p.m. in order to answer customer questions.
Highway signs: WSDOT highway operations update messages on the Highway Advisory Radio System and the Variable Message Systems along state routes leading to ferry terminals
Ferries weekly newsletter: High-impact situations, vessel and crew updates and upcoming service disruptions are just part of what customers can access in WSF's weekly newsletter. Customers can view each newsletter and subscribe to the Weekly Update online
If you're interested in getting involved in the state ferry system's decision-making process for the upcoming busy season, there will be community meetings on both May 20 and 21. You can find more information online, including how to complete required advanced registration.
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