Washington State Ferries

DO NOT GET A GRILLED CHICKEN SANDWICH ON BOARD. Literally the worst I have had in my life. It was like someone field-​stripped a McNugget. Tough, chewy, with those weird bubbles in the meat instead of, you know, chicken breast. I should’ve just caught a seagull and roasted it on my radiator.

We ride the ferry lines frequently, and I rarely have anything noteworthy to say. Most lines are run efficiently, and they are usually on time. The only major inconvenience is the limitation of food service hours. The food area shuts down early, even on the weekends. While it is a bit overpriced, sometimes it is nice to pick up a small bag of popcorn and stroll the upper deck.
The Bremerton line is usually quite exciting if the weather is nice because marine life, including orcas, are visible. The sightseeing makes the ride even more enjoyable, but it can be quite cold over the water!
One thing to note is the necessity of checking the current wait times and planning accordingly. Now that the seasons have changed, lines will be getting longer and the early morning runs are usually less crowded.

Yep, I’m giving our State Ferries five stars. I’ve been in a lot of States, and people are randomly rude everywhere. Fortunately I’ve never been treated rudely on any of the ferries. It’s not a restaurant or personal customer service-​type business, just transportation, so I guess I never expected that kind of service, but no one’s been rude.
As far as dirty? Well, these boats get a LOT of use, so they do tend to age, and often they will retire one or temporarily take it out of service for repairs/​upgrades. And a boat WILL get dirty when loads of passengers tramp on and off all day long with muddy shoes from our wet climate. (Most locals pretty much give up on keeping their cars clean, the rain is so hard to keep up with.)
NOW – the really relevant part of the ferries: They are pretty awesome. It’s a must do for out-​of-​State visitors. A lot of my visitors will say, «Yeah, yeah, I’ve been on ferries before…» But once I get them on one of our ferries (even just a short ride, the 20-​min Kingston-​Edmonds round trip is a good one), they are ALWAYS impressed. Those same people end up saying, «I’ve been on ferries before,» (East Coast, Bay Area of California, other places), «but NOT like THIS one! They can’t wait to do it again.
The WA State Ferries are simply nicer than most ferries: They have big sky views, beautiful even when the weather’s not sunny – and when it is sunny, you get spectacular views of the Cascades, Mt. Rainier and even Mt. Baker to the north if you’re lucky. You can wander all over the two levels of decks to get 360 degree views.
The number one thing my repeat visitors always want to do is…“The Ferry!!»

On time, clean, efficient. What else can you ask for? We managed to get on the Kingston to Edmonds ferry with little wait, but that might be because the Seahawks game was on!

We took the Edmonds-​Kingston ferry to our camping destination. I will reserve a review for the Edmonds side on another review. The lines on the Kingston side weren’t too bad on a Sunday afternoon, it was a bit confusing though. We didn’t see that you had to go the center to get to the ferry, until it was too late. It was okay though, we turned around and got back in the correct line. The toll booth woman was pretty rude. It was good that she was engrossed in her phone call, she only charged the Mr and not the 3 of us in the car. She didn’t bother to look, or ask us anything. She waved us off after giving back my card. I guess we scored! The ferry ride was pretty cool, I enjoyed seeing the boats, the views, and the beauty of nature. This camping trip marked my first time riding the ferry here in WA. You sure encounter a lot of different people, just the like the Metro bus, but it wasn’t too bad.

Some of the workers are great, but some are rude. Yes you work in public transportation but if you don’t like your job, find another one. Not only do we have to pay a high toll, but also get robbed for a bottle of water! The views are amazing yes but the actual ferry system needs some serious work. Governor this is a tourism draw, why is it not getting anyone’s attention in Olympia?

The best thing about the Washington State Ferries is that they provide the cheapest ocean cruises you will ever find. True, the rides are short and due to the Puget Sound you never cruise in open ocean, but on a clear summer day the views are awesome. Waves, distant snow-​capped mountains, along with the occasional sailboat or orca. If you’ve ever ridden a ferry in some other part of this country or elsewhere in the world. you’ll have a greater appreciation for just what a good deal this is.
The second best thing about the Washington State Ferries is that they are generally on time. OK, they may be a minute or two late here and there, but generally you can depend on the times.
On the down side, the ferries can be a bit dirty, dingy, rusty, and look a bit worn out. That’s going to happen with old boats in a public transportation system. The food (on the ferries that provide it) is nothing to write home about.
Probably the worst thing about the Washington State Ferries is the people. Most of them don’t seem to care if you ever ride the ferries again in your life. Several have been genuinely surly, sulking and unfriendly. Most grudgingly acknowledge my presence, but I get the idea that I’m a problem to be solved rather than a customer to be served.
Occasionally I do run into someone in the ferry system that is a pleasure to do business with. My hat’s off to you, guy in the booth in Edmonds, about five rides ago.

The one star goes to the ferry ride– 30min ride thats very nice in the summer. Bathrooms are ok. It is nice that u can walk around the ferry or stay in the car and sleep– or whatever u like to do. The second star goes to the crew on the ferry. Back in 2010 ish i remember the ferry had to stop and turn off the engines because whales were passing right thru. Very nice of respecting the law. The three stars missing goes to the staff booking the ferry. Our ticket sale lady was so slow all the other cars that were behind us went to the other cashier and got on. We waitted 8min for just one car to buy their tickets. There were 5 cars in front of us at that point. Everyone around us was getting in pretty quickly but this cashier took forever. Finally we pull up to get our tickets. Our money were ready, window open and ready. OMG, the cashier (mid aged light hair lady selling tickets in Kingston) was talking with someone and didnt even pay attention to us. She kept talking something about… Daughter? Someones’ children… Didnt catch more. Finally she turns to us and tells us the fees which was fit in between other words directed to someone else. During this whole time all other cars were thru. We gave her the money and drove away quickly as she was still bragging to an unknown companion (may be phone). Now we are still waitting for the ferry, yess we did miss the first one, and we are last on the line. When we pulled up there was a line of about a mile of cars behind us waiting for the ferry also. Now we are last. If u wonder what was the secret cause of Sunday’s heavy Kingston traffic wonder no more!

The best part of the ferries is the views and that they are the chosen distributors of 2 dollar bills and the one dollar coins. You always get fun change from the ticket booths.
The workers are very challenging to deal with. Seems like a few of them take pleasure in closing the doors for a walk on passenger cutting it close on time. The ticket booth employees will not accept pennies as a form of currency. Supper funny to me. Last time I was pulling up to the ferry with 4 min till it sailed the booth worker told me that because I was paying in cash and used more than 5 pennies I would miss the boat. He kept trying to tell me he wouldn’t take the coins because there isn’t a spot in the drawer for them. So stupid. They are government run and I’m paying with money made by the same government. I found the same problem with pennies in Edmonds and also Bainbridge and Seattle. Weird.

What is not to love about the ferry? You give me an agreement, and I will counter it. Taking the ferry is as synonymous with Western Washington as big trees and being left of center… seriously. Yes, it costs money… but I will save you the math, it is no more expensive than driving my new era Toyota 4runner around south end of the sound to get to the peninsula… so boom… save yourself the freeway time, go have a microbrew, and smile as you enjoy the view!
The wait? Friday afternoons, sunday evenings, and holidays are LONG. Expect it. Try and travel at other times… that is life. The wait times coincide with terrible highway traffic… pretty simple concept to understand really! The beers are a bit steep, but still cheaper than a Mariners or Seahawks game!
Cheers to you Washington State Ferries, and bon voyage!

I’m not a fan of ferry riding, but sometimes it does save on a long drive home. Unfortunately the only thing you save is actual time driving. Its expensive. You often have to wait forever to get on the ferry. There are frequent ferries, but never when you want them. The price continues to get more and more outrageous, but since the bridge is no longer free I guess it does make it a little cheaper overall. I’m certain even with the increasing price of gas its still cheaper to drive around. If you happen to be lucky enough to be able to use this as a walk on passenger than you are much better off, but then you probably have to pay for parking and make arrangements for someone to pick you up since Kitsap does not have the best bus service. It is mildy entertaining to look out the windows. Its fun for children and visitors to town, but I hope I never have to use it more frequently than I do now. I really try to avoid it at all costs.

What can one say about the ferry? It is easier than swimming to the other side, especially when you are in your car. I’ve been taking them on occasion for years and actually they are a fun way to travel those few miles across the water and definitely better than driving around. If you start thinking the fares are high, calculate the time and gas you would have to buy to go around. Plus, these newer ferries carry so many more cars than I keep thinking will fit on them.

Enjoy the ride!
People may complain about the staff, but when shit hits the fan guess who is going to save your ass from the ice cold sound?

What’s not to like? Beautiful ride and pretty efficient for the number of people and cars they move.

Most of the ferries seem the same. Not issues here. Quick and easy, especially since we were on a motorcycle. We got to board first. The line coming into town was a little long and slow moving, but it was cause we had JUST missed the previous ferry and people were starting to line up for the next one coming shortly. Wait time wasn’t long at all once we paid and got situated. The ferry ride was nice and quick as always. Love it.

Efficient loading and unloading, amazing how many vehicles they can get on a vessel. It is pricey, but it’s a ferry. The views are always phenominal, wherever you’re travelling, whatever time of year.

I find the ferry’s to be grubby and not maintained. The generation of workers on the boats do not appear to care about doing work for their wages, and keeping the boats clean. The lower decks are rusty and not maintained. Yet with all this lack of maintenance the ferry system continues to raise prices… it is no wonder that many people would rather drive around then spend time on the boats.
WSF…you can do better.

Oh, you know. Standard ferry rides and standard ferry action. Super busy on thanksgiving, but that’s to be expected.
Word to the unwise – you must wait in the line on the shoulder on the right hand side of 104 at busy times so you can get your tally card. Don’t think you can cut the line by driving right up to the line closer to the dock.

I took a trip with my family and loved them!!! Very fun to drive on!

They wait if they see people running to catch the ferry. They really try to get as many cars on as possible.