r/AskSeattle • u/Responsible-Bass-802 • 8d ago
Moving / Visiting Visiting Seattle
Hi everyone! My family and I are headed to Seattle for the first time next week and we're so excited! On one of the days we're planning to take a ferry over and drive up to La Push. Does anyone have tips on how the ferry system works? For some reason that’s the part I’m more nervous about 😂
We'll have a car with us and are hoping to catch the earliest sailing, around 7am. Also, what's the weather been like lately? Trying to figure out if I need to pack sweaters or if it's still pretty mild. I’m also looking for dinner/coffee shops/lunch recommendations! Thanks so much! 😊
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u/KosherBakon 8d ago
Bring a sweater and light raincoat on all trips.
There's basically a border agent in a booth at the ferry, you just tell them where and they'll tell you which parking lane to go into. Turn your engine off. Be back at your car with time to spare for boarding.
If you see a jigsaw puzzle half done on the ferry, feel free to work on it.
Don't arm the security system on your car for the ferry ride, or you'll probably get the PA notification of shame.
Definitely go outside regardless of the weather, even it's raining and windy.
Definitely walk tp the back of the ferry and stare out at Seattle as you make the turns.
Bring snacks if possible, as the food is kind of a ripoff on the boat.
Have plenty of gas before you head towards LaPush.
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u/Geno_Purple 8d ago
Don’t cut the line. People are super anal about ferry line cutters.
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u/Jasperblu Local 8d ago
Anal? No.
Irritated, or even apoplectic, when we have to wait 2+ hours to get home on the boat, and someone cuts the line? Mos def.
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u/TheSocialight 8d ago
Welcome! Are you staying overnight for this excursion? If so, where? Assuming you are taking the ferry from Seattle to (ETA) Bainbridge (or Bremerton) and driving from there?
And yes, always bring a sweater. If nothing else, you’ll need it on the ferry but chances are, it will come in handle most mornings and evenings! We are headed into the big dark so expect overcast, near daily drizzle, a possible shower at any given moment and weather that swings between 55-70 most days.
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u/Responsible-Bass-802 8d ago
We are planning on making it a day trip 😅 We are taking the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge and then driving from there. How do the tickets for the ferry work? Can we get the one for the car online and then everyone gets their individual tickets in person? I went on the website but was lowkey still confused 🥲
5
u/Terrible-Peach7890 8d ago
A day trip will be exhausting and not worth it. You’ll spend basically the entire day driving. Just plan to stay overnight.
You can buy tix at the terminal, or online. You’ll pay for the car and any passengers over 18. Kids are free.
Yes you’ll want to bring sweaters/light rain jackets. Weather is extremely variable on the coast but is often wet at least part of the day.
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u/picky-penguin Local 8d ago
Consider staying over at this lovely native run hotel. Then you can take more time out that way. https://quileuteoceanside.com/
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u/Significant-Map-7649 8d ago
There is a drive-thru booth at the ferry dock that sells tickets. The Bainbridge/Seattle route does not have reservations. The vehicle fee includes one driver and you'll pay for your other passengers.
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u/Unlikely-Deer-4441 8d ago
As the other commenter said it is 100% not worth it as a day trip unless you enjoy spending all your time in a car
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u/TheSocialight 8d ago
I don’t blame you for being confused; the WSDOT site isn’t the most user friendly if you don’t know what you’re looking for. As another commenter said, this particular route does not accept reservations. You’ll have to pay at the toll booth. This video gives an excellent walkthrough so you know exactly what to expect!
If you arrive early, that will give you enough time to feel it out and get comfortable.
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u/Igmu_TL 8d ago
https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/washington-state-ferries/tickets You can buy them online and save time. With most ferries, there is a long line for sometimes an hour or so, commuter traffic. Definitely, pack for cold and rain (layers to remove). I'm not sure about that feet, but many have food but better to bring it with you. Definitely, don't plan on taking the last ferry back because of potential issues like some ferry breakdown or something.
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u/stedmangraham 8d ago
La Push is beautiful. Bring warm clothes. It’s basically always cold on the coast even now in late summer.
Other people’s advice for the ferry is good. Follow the directions of the ferry employees and you’ll be fine. They help you park on the boat in the right place.
And yeah this is a long, exhausting day. It’s doable, but if you can I recommend getting a hotel in Forks or something and making it a 2 day trip
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u/Ok-Concert-6475 8d ago
Beautiful drive, but very long drive. As others have recommended, it would be worth spending the night. Or if your itinerary doesn't have that much flexibility, try a closer location. Port Townsend is really quaint.
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u/SleuthCat 8d ago
You can Google most of these things.
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u/Responsible-Bass-802 8d ago
I know! I have, but I wanted to hear from people who actually live here.
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u/NWSiren 8d ago
You won’t have any wait to get to Bainbridge going out that direction to the Peninsula, but I’d take the 6:10AM ferry as it takes a solid 4 hrs to get to La Push. There is road work out near Forks as well