Bainbridge Island Ferry: Schedule, Fares, Parking & Tips
The Bainbridge Island ferry is one of the most-used commuter and tourist ferry routes in the Pacific Northwest. It connects Seattle's downtown waterfront to Winslow on Bainbridge Island in about 35 minutes — and on a clear day, the crossing offers some of the best views of the Olympic Mountains and the Seattle skyline you'll find anywhere.
Whether you're a first-time visitor, a daily commuter, or planning a day trip from Seattle, here's everything you need to know about the Bainbridge Island ferry.
Bainbridge Island Ferry Schedule (2026)
The Seattle–Bainbridge Island ferry is operated by Washington State Ferries (WSF) and runs daily, year-round. Sailings run roughly every 50–90 minutes throughout the day, with additional sailings during peak commute hours.
How to get the current schedule: - Official schedule: wsdot.wa.gov/ferries (always the most current) - WSF mobile app: Available for iOS and Android — shows real-time vessel positions, wait times, and alerts - Text alerts: Sign up at wsdot.wa.gov/ferries for service alerts by route
General daily pattern: - First sailing from Seattle: typically 5:20–5:30 AM - Last sailing from Seattle: typically 12:45–1:10 AM - First sailing from Bainbridge: typically 4:55–5:25 AM - Last sailing from Bainbridge: typically 12:05–12:30 AM
Schedules shift seasonally (summer vs. winter) and on holidays. Always verify on the WSDOT website before you travel, especially on holiday weekends when extra sailings may be added or schedules adjusted.
Fares
Current fares (2026 — verify at wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/fares):
| Passenger Type | One-Way |
|---|---|
| Adult (19–64) | ~$10.25 |
| Senior (65+) / Disabled | ~$5.15 |
| Youth (6–18) | ~$5.15 |
| Child (5 and under) | Free |
| Vehicle (up to 14 ft) + driver | ~$20.00–$22.00 |
| Vehicle (14–22 ft) + driver | ~$25.00–$28.00 |
| Bicycle | ~$1.00 (foot passenger rate + small surcharge) |
Key notes: - Fares are collected eastbound only (Seattle to Bainbridge). The return trip (Bainbridge to Seattle) is free. - ORCA cards accepted — and recommended for frequent travelers. ORCA multi-ride passes offer a discount over single-trip cash fares. - Vehicles are charged separately from passengers. The driver's vehicle fare includes one person; additional passengers pay the foot passenger rate.
Seattle Ferry Terminal (Coleman Dock)
The Seattle terminal is at Colman Dock, 801 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98104 — located on the central waterfront, walking distance from Pike Place Market and the Seattle Aquarium.
Parking near Coleman Dock: - WSF Seattle Terminal Parking: A parking garage attached to the terminal. Rates vary; fill quickly on weekday mornings and summer weekends. - Third Ave. & Columbia St. area: Several private garages within 2–3 blocks of the terminal. - Ferry parking apps: SpotHero and ParkWhiz often have discounted rates at nearby garages — worth checking before you drive.
Public transit to Coleman Dock: - King County Metro buses serve Colman Dock directly - The Seattle Waterfront streetcar connects Pioneer Square and the waterfront - Walking from downtown hotels is easy — most are within 10–15 minutes
Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal (Winslow)
The Bainbridge terminal is in Winslow, the island's main town, at 270 Olympic Drive SE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.
From the terminal you can: - Walk directly to downtown Winslow (about 5 minutes) - Rent a bike from shops near the ferry dock - Catch a Kitsap Transit bus to other parts of the island or connect toward Silverdale/Poulsbo
Terminal parking: A large WSF parking lot is adjacent to the terminal at Bainbridge. Daily parking rates apply. The lot fills during peak summer weekends and busy commute days — arrive early or consider riding the ferry as a foot passenger if coming from Seattle.
Foot Passenger vs. Driving On
For most day trips from Seattle, going as a foot passenger is the better option:
- No vehicle reservation needed
- Walk on and off without waiting in line
- Less expensive
- Winslow is easily walkable from the terminal
- Avoids vehicle loading/unloading delays
When driving makes sense: - Exploring the island beyond walkable Winslow (Bloedel Reserve, state parks, north end) - Carrying bikes, gear, or supplies - Continuing on to Kitsap County (Poulsbo, Bremerton, Silverdale, Port Orchard) without backtracking
Vehicle Reservations
Washington State Ferries offers vehicle reservations on the Seattle–Bainbridge route through the WSF reservation system. Reservations are recommended on:
- Summer weekends (June–August)
- Holiday weekends (Memorial Day, Labor Day, July 4th)
- Friday evenings
Without a reservation, vehicles can still board on a standby basis — but wait times can stretch to 1–3 sailings during peak periods. Foot passengers are almost never delayed.
Tips for a Better Ferry Experience
Arrive early. Foot passengers should aim to arrive 10–15 minutes before departure. Vehicles should arrive 20–30 minutes before sailing, more during peak periods.
Get an ORCA card. If you ride the ferry more than a few times a year, an ORCA card pays for itself quickly. It also works on King County Metro, Sound Transit, and other transit systems across the region.
Sit on the outdoor deck. The views on this crossing are genuinely spectacular — Olympic Mountains to the west, the Seattle skyline and Mount Rainier to the east on clear days. Don't spend the whole crossing in the passenger cabin.
Bring layers. Even in summer, Puget Sound crossings are noticeably cooler than Seattle. A light jacket makes the outdoor deck comfortable year-round.
Food and drink onboard: The ferries have a galley serving coffee, snacks, and basic food. Not destination dining, but perfectly adequate for the crossing.
Real-time vessel tracking: The WSF app shows exactly where each vessel is. Useful for confirming your sailing is on time before you walk to the dock.
Service disruptions: WSF occasionally cancels or delays sailings for mechanical issues, severe weather, or staffing shortages. Sign up for text/email alerts on the WSDOT website if you rely on the ferry for commuting.
Getting Around Bainbridge Island After the Ferry
Once you arrive in Winslow:
- Walking: Downtown Winslow is compact and highly walkable. Most shops, restaurants, and the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art are within 10 minutes on foot.
- Kitsap Transit: Bus service connects Winslow to the rest of the island and to Poulsbo and Silverdale on the mainland. Schedule at kitsaptransit.com.
- Bikes: Bainbridge Island is a popular cycling destination. Bike rentals are available near the ferry dock. Many visitors bring their own bikes on the ferry (small surcharge).
- Ride-share: Uber and Lyft operate on the island, though pickup times can be slower than in Seattle.
Day Trip Planning: Seattle to Bainbridge Island
The Seattle–Bainbridge ferry makes for one of the best day trips from Seattle. A full day itinerary:
- Morning ferry (7–9 AM sailing from Seattle)
- Breakfast in Winslow — Blackbird Bakery or The Streamliner Diner
- Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (free, opens 10 AM)
- Mid-morning: Gazzam Lake trail, Bloedel Reserve (reserve ahead), or waterfront walk
- Lunch in Winslow
- Afternoon: Wine tasting at Bainbridge Vineyards, or cycling the island roads
- Evening ferry back to Seattle (5–7 PM sailings)
For a complete guide to the island, see Things to Do on Bainbridge Island.
Other Kitsap County Ferry Routes
The Bainbridge route isn't the only ferry serving Kitsap County. Washington State Ferries also operates:
- Seattle–Bremerton: ~60-minute car and passenger ferry. Slower than Bainbridge but direct to Bremerton.
- Edmonds–Kingston: Cross-Sound route connecting Edmonds (north of Seattle) to Kingston on the north end of Kitsap County. About 30 minutes. Good access point for Poulsbo.
- Southworth–Fauntleroy: Car ferry connecting South Kitsap to West Seattle. Also connects to Vashon Island.
- Port Orchard–Bremerton Foot Ferry: Short passenger-only crossing (about 10 minutes) between downtown Port Orchard and downtown Bremerton. Run by Kitsap Transit, not WSF.