Wait Time

Passengers should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to sailing.
Updated: 11.23.2009, 8:27PM

Seattle / Bremerton Route:
The peak traffic volumes occur between 4:00pm and 6:30pm. It is advisable for vehicle traffic to arrive 30-45 minutes prior to sailing. For non-peak travel, a minimum of 20 minutes in advance is suggested.

Passengers should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to sailing.
Updated: 11.23.2009, 8:27PM

Directions to Seattle (Main) Terminal
I-5 Northbound take exit 164B, I-5 Southbound exit 164. This is the 4th Ave. and Safeco field exit. The off ramp goes to 4th Ave. Take a right onto 4th, then go then go up the ramp and turn right onto Edgar Martinez Drive. Continue over 1st Avenue S to S Atlantic Street towards the waterfront. Turn right onto Alaskan Way WSF is about 1.2 miles north. Look for overhead signage. There is a special left hand turn lane specifically for vehicle traffic into the toll plaza. NO DROP OFF at the toll plaza. It is strictly for vehicles and occupants boarding the ferry.

Find out about road construction on Royal Brougham.

Seattle (Main) Terminal Parking
There is no parking available at the terminal. The parking is at paid parking lots and metered ($0.05 2 min., $0.10 4 min., $0.25 10 min., $1.00 40 min., $1.50 hour, 2 hour max) parking. Parking fees at the Commuter Centre Parking garage across the street from the Terminal are $10.70 a day if you are in before 9:30 am. $5.95 for 0-1 hours,$11.95 for 1-2 hours,$15.50 for 2-3 hours,$17.85 for 3-4 hours,$20.25 for 4-12 hours. $9.50 for overnight.

When picking up or dropping off passengers, from either Pier 50 or Pier 52, there is a very limited 3-minute load and unloading zone in front of Pier 52. Please be aware there is also a bus zone, and drivers should remain with their vehicle. Parking is also available at the Commuter Center Garage, and two surface lots are available at 811 and 814 Western Ave (across Alaskan Way from the Terminal). Daily and monthly rates are available, at (206) 284-6303 ext. 205.

Lost and Found
All lost & found items on this route are turned into the Seattle Terminal. You can reach the Lost & Found Department at 206-515-3439. Their hours of operation are 10:00am to 6:00pm Thursday thru Monday, closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Our Information Agents can also assist you with lost & found inquiries from 7:00am through 5:45pm daily at 206-464-6400 or 1-888-808-7977.

Seattle (Main) Commuter Trains
Amtrak is located at 3rd and King St., 303 S. Jackson Street Seattle, WA 98104 206-382-4125 or 1-800-USA-RAIL Amtrak.
The train station is approximately 7 blocks from the ferry terminal and is within walking distance.
There are other options to get between the ferry terminal and the train station. The first option is to take a taxi, they are located in front of the ferry terminal or across the street and are readily available.

The Waterfront Streetcar is on hiatus for two (2) years while a new barn is built at Occidental Square. Route 99 bus service has replaced the streetcar and include more frequent peak time service, fare free service, better connections to Sounder rail and ferry and the ability to load bikes. These buses are easily found because they are specially wrapped to look like the streetcar. Please check Route 99 for schedules.

If you have questions about the streetcars or how to connect with Metro buses, call Metro Rider Information at 206-553-3000, TTY users call 206-684-1739, online at Trip Planner. For the scheduled departure times of regular bus service at bus stops, call Bus Time (automated schedule information) at 206-287-8463.

Taxis at Seattle (Main)
Taxicabs are located in front of the ferry terminal or across the street and are readily available.

Directions to Seattle (Main) from SeaTac Airport
Driving from SeaTac Airport to the Seattle Ferry Terminal, departing Baggage Claim area, follow signs for I-5. The road curves to the left and proceeds out of the airport. After about 1 mile take the right hand exit, again toward I-5. Proceed about 1.5 miles; the entrance to I-5 north will be on your left. Seattle Ferry terminal is exit 164B, about 30 minutes driving north, this is the 4th Ave. and Safeco field exit. The off ramp goes to 4th Ave. Take a right onto 4th, then go one block to Royal Brougham. Turn right and head for 4-5 blocks (driving between Safeco field and the new Seahawk stadium) to Alaskan Way on the waterfront. Take another right on to Alaska Way. The terminal is about 1.2 miles north. Look for overhead signage. There is a special left hand turn lane specifically for vehicle traffic into the toll plaza. NO DROP OFF at the toll plaza. It is strictly for vehicles and occupants boarding the ferry.

Seattle (Main) Rideshare Information
When traveling to Pier 52, carpool/vanpool drivers may turn right onto the ferry terminal during peak commute hours when other vehicles cannot. Carpool/Vanpools must be ticketed and in line 10 minutes before scheduled sailing time to receive preferential loading. If you are late, you will be loaded on a space available basis at the end of the loading. Car/van pools need to be registered or a recognized HOV with the ferry system HOV program, to receive loading privileges. For information or to register for our rideshare program check online at: Rideshare

Seattle (Main) Bicycle Information
When traveling on the ferries, bicyclists may bypass the line of vehicle traffic to get onto the ferry dock but must go through a tollbooth. Bicyclist pays the passenger fare and a bike surcharge. Bicyclists should arrive 20 minutes prior to departure time to be loaded at the beginning of loading process. If a bicyclist arrives after vehicle loading has begun, they will be loaded at the end of the load. Please follow the directions of our crew. Passes are available for a $20 yearly registration fee and pass holders do not pay the surcharge. For an annual bike permit and for general information on our bike pass program: Bike Pass

WSF Fare Discounts
We have several types of discounted fares for customers who commute daily to work or school, or who just ride the ferry frequently. We also have discounted fares based on age.

Multi-ride cards
Central Sound cards can be used for the Seattle/Bainbridge Island, Seattle/Bremerton and Edmonds/Kingston routes. “Multi-ride cards" are good for 90 days from the date of purchase and are non-refundable.

For the car & driver, we have cards which contain 20 one-way tickets for a cost of $189.60, a 20% savings over the single fare. The 25% Peak Season surcharge is not added to the cost of a card, so the saving is even more. When you use the multi-ride cards, you are paying $9.48 for each crossing instead of the single purchase price of $11.85 or $14.85 in Peak Season!

For passengers, the multi-ride card contains 10 round-trip passenger tickets at a cost of $55.20. That figures out to be $5.52 instead of $6.90 every time you leave Seattle or Edmonds.

Monthly Passes
There are monthly passes that passengers can purchase for just the ferry and also passes that include the ferry and transit fares. These passes are good for 31 rides for the calendar month of issue. If you ride at least 16 times in the month, the pass is the best way to go.

The ferry only passes can be purchased on-line and at retail locations at: Monthly Passes

Puget Passes
These passes, which cover the cost of ferry and transit fares, are sold at the ferry terminal and through Metro Transit or Kitsap Transit. These passes are sold for each calendar month.

The cost of the Central Sound ferry and Metro’s $2.00 Puget Pass is $160.35. The Central Sound ferry and Kitsap Transit pass is $138.35. The 3-way Central Sound ferry, Kitsap Transit and Metro’s $2.00 Puget Pass is $210.35.

Disability and Age Based Fares
For passengers who have a disability or have reached the age of 65, you pay half the adult passenger fare. Your fare will be $3.45 and for the senior or disabled driver & car, your fare is $10.10 or $13.10 during Peak Season.

For our passengers 6 through the age of 18, your fare is $5.55, a 20% discount from the adult passenger fare. For passengers in this age group who travel more than 16 times a month, the monthly pass is the way to go or if your child travels at least 10 times in a 90-day period, the multi-ride card will provide a small discount.

Seattle (Main) Food Service Information
Food Court Information @ Colman Dock, Seattle

World Wrapps Menu

Food service is provided on board the ferries on this route by Olympic Cascade. Basic operating hours for the galley:Mon-Fri 5 am to 8 pm, Sat. 7 am to 8 pm, Sun. 9 am to 8 pm. Vending machines with snacks and drinks are available. There are many types of restaurants and cafes in walking distance from the terminals.

Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC)
Contact your local Ferry Advisory Committee FAC

Motorcycles at Seattle (Main)
Use booth #4 (right lane), if pre-ticketed, during commuter hours. Motorcycles may turn right into the toll plaza from southbound Alaskan Way or left from northbound Alaskan Way. Bremerton will stage in lane #4; Bainbridge staging in lane #38. Loading order bicycles, motorcycles, then vehicles, late arriving motorcycles will be loaded as space permits. Once onboard, please don't park your motorcycle in the yellow striped walkways or block vehicle access.

See Motorcycle Loading Procedures at other terminals.

Trucks at Seattle (Main)
WSF requires trucks with a gross vehicle weight of over 80,000 lbs and/or over 8’6” wide to have “travel approval” before crossing any of our routes. Vessels on this route have a limited height clearance and trucks may be loaded out of sequence.

Trucks that have a gross vehicle weight of over 80,000 lbs but are hauling less than 80,000 lbs will need to provide a weight slip.

Please fill out our Oversized/Overweight Vehicle Travel Request Form by downloading a .pdf version of the form and fax it to us at (206) 515-3846. Please allow three business days for completion and approval. You can contact us at anytime for status updates at (206) 464-6400 (Seattle).