The Bainbridge Island ferry in brief
Washington State Ferries runs the route between Seattle and Bainbridge Island. The crossing takes about 35 minutes, plus boarding and any wait on the dock. From the Bainbridge landing, the Museum of Art is about a 5 minute walk, which makes the ferry the easiest way to start a day trip from Seattle to Bainbridge Island.
Fares are in US dollars and change with the season. The figures below are the autumn 2026 table. Foot passengers pay in Seattle, and vehicles pay on both sides. There are no vehicle reservations on this route, so a car gets a place in the line and not a booked space.
Bainbridge ferry schedule in autumn 2026
The autumn schedule runs from 20 September to 26 December 2026. Sailings are not evenly spaced, so do not plan around a sailing every half hour. On a Tuesday in this schedule, boats from Bainbridge to Seattle leave at 4:45, 5:20, 6:20, 7:05, 7:55, 8:45, 9:40, 10:25 and 11:30 a.m. In the evening they leave at 10:00 and 11:30 p.m. and at 12:55 a.m. on the next day. Check the full timetable for the rest of the day.
Thanksgiving and Christmas follow a holiday or weekend plan. Weather, crew and vessel changes can cancel or delay a sailing, so look at the live status before you leave for the dock. Washington State Ferries publishes live terminal cameras for both landings. The free-space display on the dock does not count the cars still in line before the toll booths, so the cameras give a better picture.
Our pick: a ride with the ferry ticket included
An e-bike tour from Seattle that includes the ferry ticket.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Ferry day trips to Bainbridge Island
Guided day trips from Seattle by ferry, wine tours, city tours and excursions to the Olympic Peninsula, with live prices and availability.
Seattle to Bainbridge ferry: terminals and how to board
The Seattle terminal is Colman Dock at Pier 52, 801 Alaskan Way. The Bainbridge terminal is at 270 Olympic Drive SE.
- On foot: pay at Colman Dock in Seattle, walk on, and walk off in Winslow. Nothing is charged on the way back from Bainbridge.
- By car: join the vehicle line, pay at the booth, and drive on in the order the crew directs. Vehicle fares are collected on both sides, so you pay in each direction.
- By bike: bring the bike on board and follow the crew. At the Bainbridge terminal, plan to be there 20 minutes before departure. Cyclists who arrive later load after the vehicles.
Bainbridge ferry cost
Autumn 2026 fares in US dollars. Fares are based on the season and on vehicle length.
| Who or what | Fare | Where you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Adult on foot, ages 19 to 64 | $11.35 | Seattle |
| Senior from 65 or eligible rider with a disability | $5.65 | Seattle |
| Youth up to and including age 18, on foot | Free | – |
| Bicycle surcharge, ages 19 and over | $1 | Seattle |
| Vehicle under 14 feet with driver, each direction | $16.05 | Both sides |
| Standard vehicle under 22 feet with driver, each direction | $20.25 | Both sides |
| Standard vehicle with an eligible senior or disabled driver | $17.40 | Both sides |
Additional adult passengers in a car pay the walk-on fare from Seattle. Card payments carry a 3 percent surcharge since 1 March 2026. Going from Bainbridge to Seattle, passengers and bikes do not pay. For most visitors without a car, the walk-on fare is the only ferry cost.
Parking at the Bainbridge terminal
Parking at the terminal costs about $11 for 0 to 10 hours and $15 for 24 hours. After 7 p.m. the evening rate is $7, and motorcycles pay $5 for 24 hours. The signs at the lot decide the price you pay. Free parking for museum visitors exists at the Museum of Art, but that does not cover a full day of commuter parking.
If you only want Winslow, the simplest plan is to leave the car in Seattle and walk on. Read Winslow for what lies within a short walk, and getting there if you are coming from the airport.
Tips for a smooth crossing
Small things that save time.
Check the status first
Look at the live terminal status and the cameras before you leave. Disruptions on the Seattle routes can change the wait at short notice.
No reservation, no guaranteed place
A ticket bought in advance does not hold a spot in the vehicle line on this route. Arrive early on busy days.
Walk on if you can
Winslow, the Museum of Art and the History Museum are all close to the landing. A car is useful for the Bloedel Reserve and the parks.
Things to do →Bainbridge Island ferry: frequently asked questions
How often does the Bainbridge ferry run?
Sailings are not evenly spaced. In the autumn 2026 schedule, morning departures from Bainbridge to Seattle leave between 4:45 and 11:30 a.m., and late sailings leave at 10:00 and 11:30 p.m. and 12:55 a.m. Check the full timetable for the day you travel.
Can I reserve a spot for my car?
No. Washington State Ferries does not take vehicle reservations on the Seattle to Bainbridge route. Foot passengers and cyclists do not need reservations either.
Do I pay in both directions?
Not on foot. Foot passengers pay in Seattle only. Vehicles pay on both sides.
What does the ferry cost for a family on foot?
Adults pay $11.35 in autumn 2026. Anyone up to and including 18 travels free on foot. Seniors from 65 pay $5.65. Check the current table, as fares change by season.
Is the ferry the only way to reach the island?
No. You can also drive over the Agate Pass Bridge from the Kitsap Peninsula. See getting there.
Do bikes pay the ferry fare?
Cyclists aged 19 and over pay a $1 bicycle surcharge in Seattle on top of the walk-on fare, and nothing on the way back from Bainbridge. Youths up to and including 18 ride free. Plan to be at the Bainbridge terminal 20 minutes before departure.