A Question For Seattle Locals

[dr_pretentious]

If you wanted to take a car on the ferry from Bainbridge Island to Seattle on a Tuesday morning, how long a wait would it be wise to expect? Would it be folly to rely on that ferry to arrive on time at an airport?

We'll be at the Iron Springs Writing Retreat, and then we're taking a couple of extra days around Port Angeles to see the Olympic National Park before we need to make our flight out of SeaTac. One possible route has us driving all the way down the length of the Kitsap Peninsula and back up the other side of the sound to get to SeaTac, while the other would have us break the drive--and, more to the point, the time our toddler would have to spend strapped into his car seat--with a ferry ride from Bainbridge Island to Seattle and then down.

If we were to aim for the earlier of the two scheduled departures we're considering, and we actually made it onto the earlier ferry, we'd be able to give Gareth some running around time at Pike Place Market before having to stuff the poor little fellow back into his car seat's five point harness and finish our drive--a very desirable bit of freedom, considering that he'll be in that same five point harness for many hours on the airplane that afternoon and evening.

If we could reserve our space on the ferry, it would be an easy choice, even if it might take a little longer, but if ferry space for the car is first-come-first-serve, and the rush hour traffic still causes unpredictable or predictably awful waits around 10am on summer Tuesdays, we probably shouldn't take our chances. After all, we don't need to make reservations for the road, and the construction on the Hood Canal Bridge finished ahead of schedule.

Comments

[dthon.livejournal.com]

Ironically... that ferry route is the basis of the novel I'm overhauling right now! So, while your wait times may vary, the ferry generally runs about once an hour (with a 35-40 minute crossing time in decent weather).

Getting on the ferry on the Seattle side, pretty much anytime towards evening rush hour gets dicey - but I suspect if you aimed for a departure anytime before 3-4pm, I suspect you'll either get the boat you want, or will get the next boat after that without too much trouble, especially on a weekday.

For more reliable information that you can check live:
http://wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/info_desk/terminals/index.cfm?terminal_id=7

(Sample) Wait Time, updated: 6.7.2009, 7:09PM
Seattle / Bainbridge Island Route:
Mid morning volumes are anticipated to be steady. Vehicles are advised to arrive 30 minutes in advance of the sailing. Afternoon volumes may fluctuate, though motorists are still encouraged to arrive early.
Walk-on passengers should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to sailing.

Best,
-Scott

[thecrimsony.livejournal.com]

They're coming from Bainbridge, though. :p

[thecrimsony.livejournal.com]

Alas, I am no expert on that one, but I can say that timewise, the long way around should only be used when there's a multiple boat backup.

We love Port Angeles. Once I'm a rich and famous author, I plan on retiring the wife and moving us all out there. We just spent the night there getting a number of costumes and supplies back from an art show the wife participated in.

[peartreealley.livejournal.com]

You'll want to arrive at least half an hour before your ferry departure. On weekday mornings, the traffic is from Bainbridge to Seattle so if you're going via peak traffic hours, you're going to be competing with all of the commuters. Really the only time I've had trouble getting the ferry I needed, though, were on days like the day before Thanksgiving when everyone is moving. If you're feeling paranoid, take the earlier ferry. They generally leave on time, but that way if the ferry is full, well, you'll have some waiting time, but you can still get out of the car and know you'll be on the next one.

Trying to drive around will be worse. Much worse.

I used to live on the Kitsap Peninsula, and this was a common trip--both methods. The ferry is always better.

[criada.livejournal.com]

My dad is of the belief that taking the ferry and driving around are roughly equal, but even if that is true, you won't want to miss the beautiful views from the ferry. Ditto what shadawyn said.

Have fun! You'll get to drive through my hometown, where I actually went to school with shadawyn

[karenjunker.livejournal.com]

If you're planning to map out some of your route - you can always do it at my place and print it out here, rather than have to fly in with tons of paper.

[karenjunker.livejournal.com]

here's the link to the Bainbridge Island terminal - http://wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/info_desk/terminals/index.cfm?terminal_id=3

It looks as if you'd need to arrive an hour early to catch the 7:55 AM boat but not quite so early if you catch the one after that.

PS Last time I was at the Pike Street Market was a summer, mid-week afternoon and the crowd was pretty packed. You wouldn't be able to run so much as shuffle through the people on the street level. But on the lower levels, it was wide open - there are ramps to some of the lower areas, but some require stairs. Don't miss Tensing Momo in the building just south of the main entrance.

[frodo-jim.livejournal.com]

Drive. Ferries aren't reliable.

When are you going to be here? When are you going to be at Pike Market? if it's the right date/time, I might be able to pop into the city...