Rory + Luke
Rory + Luke
GETTING TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
If you are traveling to the San Juan Islands from outside the Seattle area, you’ll want to fly into the SeaTac (SEA) or Everett (PAE) airports. Paine Field in Everett is a smaller airport that allows you to skip Seattle traffic but has a limited number of incoming flights.
WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES
This is the most affordable way to travel to the islands. Ferries to the San Juan Islands depart from Anacortes, which is a 2-2.5 hour drive north of SeaTac airport. When you fly into the Seattle area, you can rent a car (from either airport) or take a shuttle north to Anacortes (from SeaTac airport only). Shuttle options include the Bellair Airporter Shuttle and the Island Airporter.
If you rent a car, you can drive onto the ferry or park at the Anacortes Ferry Terminal and walk on. If you plan on driving your car onto the ferry, reservations are HIGHLY recommended! You will need to make reservations for both your arrival and departure trips. When you are driving a car onto the ferry, you should arrive at least 45-60 minutes early in order to be fully checked in 30 minutes prior to sailing. If you miss the 30 minute cutoff, you will lose your reservation and be grouped in with the standby cars (aka you may wait for hours to get on/off island).
Ferry reservations are released on the WSF website in three different waves:
- 30% in February 2024
- 30% two weeks before the departure date
- 30% two days before the departure date
The remaining 10% are saved for cars that haven’t made reservations but these go quickly and it’s best not to depend on them.
There is no charge when booking a ferry reservation but you will be charged a “no show” fee of $19 if you book a reservation and then don’t use it. You can cancel your reservation up until 5pm the day before your travel date without being charged the no show fee. More information on ferry schedules, reservations, and the cost of ferry tickets can be found here: https://www.wsdot.com/ferries/
LAND OR SEA PLANES
There are several regional airlines that fly from the Seattle area to the San Juan Islands. This is the fastest option for travel to the islands and the views are breathtaking! If you fly into SeaTac airport, you will be shuttled to Boeing Field for a land plane flight or Lake Union/Washington for a sea plane flight. Check out Kenmore Air, Friday Harbor Seaplanes, San Juan Airlines (the only option from Paine Field airport in Everett), Point to Point Air, or Westwind Aviation to book your flights.
ON-ISLAND TRANSPORTATION
If you fly to the islands or choose to park your car at the Anacortes Ferry Terminal, there are several ways to get around the island. Check out the links below for more information: