Bellevue, WA’s wide range of upscale shopping spots, top-rated dining venues, parks and cultural attractions can keep you entertained for days. But there are many things to do near Bellevue that will enhance your visit to the Puget Sound and the Pacific Northwest. And high on the list for locals and visitors alike is a ride on a Washington State Ferry.  

Here is a guide on how to plan a day trip from Bellevue on a Washington State Ferry. And some tips on how to ride like a local.  

Why ride a Washington State Ferry?

Whether you take the 35-minute ride between downtown Seattle and Bainbridge Island or the 60 to 90-minute sailing between Anacortes (90 miles north of Bellevue) and Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, a ride on a Washington State Ferry provides a memorable, iconic, scenery-rich and relatively inexpensive Northwest experience.  

Hop on board and you will be joining the more than 20 million passengers who use the country’s largest ferry system for commuting, taking care of business and visiting destinations in the Puget Sound and the greater Salish Sea, which includes the San Juan Islands.  

And once on board, grab a window seat or step out on the deck. You won’t want to miss seeing the changing shorelines and variety of waterfront homes, the snowcapped mountains and ships of all shapes and sizes. 

Keep watch for wildlife. Sightings might include:

  • Sea lions resting on buoys
  • Bald eagles soaring overhead
  • Harbor seals and seabirds
  • Orcas and other whales in open water

Tip: dress warmly and be prepared for windy conditions in open water. Even on sunny days, wind and cool air off the water can make the deck feel brisk.

Getting to the Seattle Ferry Terminal from Bellevue

Commercial ferries stopped sailing between Bellevue and Seattle not long after the I-90 floating bridge over Lake Washington opened in the mid-1940s. Today, you can get from Bellevue to the main downtown Seattle ferry terminal – Colman Dock at Pier 52 – by car, rideshare or public transit.  

By car

Head west from Bellevue into Seattle's downtown waterfront by driving over Lake Washington on Interstate 90 or State Route 520.

  • If you plan to park and walk onto a ferry, you will find parking garages and lots close to the ferry terminal. 
  • If you are driving your vehicle onto the ferry, be sure to follow the signs to the appropriate vehicle loading area once you have passed through the tollbooth.  

By public transit

The Sound Transit light rail 2 Line and King County Metro buses connect Bellevue with downtown Seattle. Find route maps, fare information and boarding information here.  

Tip: From the Link Light Rail Symphony Station stop, it is about a 10-minute walk downhill to Colman Dock.  



Popular Washington State Ferry Routes for Day Trips from Bellevue

The ferry adventure you choose will depend, of course, on your interests, on the time you have available and on your mode of transportation. Here are some of the more popular Washington State ferry routes for day trips from Bellevue. The list is not all-inclusive; you can view a map of all the ferry routes operated by Washington State and by other ferry services here.  

From the main Seattle Ferry Terminal, Colman Dock/Pier 52, you can choose the Bainbridge Island Ferry or the Bremerton Ferry.   

Seattle to Bainbridge Island Ferry

The Seattle to Bainbridge Island ferry ride is not only used by many commuters, it’s a major tourist attraction, especially in the summer. The ride takes just about 35 minutes each way and it’s an easy walk from the ferry dock into downtown Winslow. Visitors can explore: 

For many travelers, this is the easiest island escape from Bellevue.

Seattle to Bremerton Ferry

The ferry ride between downtown Seattle and Bremerton takes about an hour on a Washington State Ferry and about 30 minutes on the passenger-only fast ferry operated by Kitsap Transit, which has a more limited scheduled.  

From the Bremerton ferry dock you can walk to the city’s arts district, which has restaurants, shops, art galleries, clubs, performance halls and attractions such as the Puget Sound Naval Museum, where admission is free. 

Seattle Water Taxi to West Seattle or Vashon Island

Next to Coleman Dock at Pier 50, travelers can board a passenger-only King County Water Taxi to West Seattle or Vashon Island. 

The Vashon Island water taxi ride will take 22 minutes and is a good option for those who want a scenic ride with a quick return, as it’s a 3 mile walk to the Vashon City center. However, the 15-minute water taxi ride to West Seattle ends with the option of walking along a waterfront pathway or taking a shuttle to Alki Beach Park.  

Other Washington State Ferry routes beyond downtown Seattle 

If you are driving, here are some other Washington State Ferry routes to consider for day trips from Bellevue.  

Fauntleroy to Vashon Island Ferry

In addition to the passenger-only water taxi from downtown Seattle, you can reach Vashon Island, the largest island in Puget Sound, via a 20-minute ferry ride from Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal in West Seattle. This ferry route also serves Southworth, on the Kitsap Peninsula. 

San Juan Island Ferries from Anacortes

Washington State Ferries to the San Juan Islands all depart from the ferry terminal in Anacortes, which is 90 miles north Bellevue and about 10 minutes from the historic Anacortes city center.  

Washington State Ferries from Anacortes serve:

  • Lopez Island
  • Shaw Island
  • Orcas Island
  • Friday Harbor

Sailing through the San Juan Islands archipelago ranks among the most scenic routes in the state ferry system.  

Day trips from Bellevue are possible but be sure to make a reservation if you plan to take your car on the ferry, especially in the summer and during holidays. A good option if you would just like to ride up and back to Friday Harbor is to park your car at the Anacortes ferry terminal and ride as a walk-on passenger.  

There are a few shops and activities by the Orcas Island ferry terminal and Friday Harbor offers the most attractions within walking distance of the ferry landing, including:

Tips for riding Washington State Ferries   

Fares vary by route, by season and whether you travel as a walk-on passenger or with a vehicle. (Fares will vary by the size of your vehicle as well). Washington State Ferries carry both passengers and vehicles, while some other ferry services are passenger only.  

Arrive early

While you have more leeway as a walk-on passenger, if you are taking a car on any Washington State Ferry route, be sure to arrive at the terminal early, especially during peak travel times, when you may need to park in a holding area for a later sailing.  

Check Schedules and Reservations

The Washington State Department of Transportation has a website and a mobile app with fares, schedules, route details and alerts, terminal traffic cams and status updates for all Washinton State Ferries. You can use the website or the app to buy tickets and make a vehicle reservation for routes that offer this option online.