The Ultimate Guide to Taking Your Car on a Ferry

Ferries are often one of the fastest ways to reach destinations in the Seattle area. In fact, many islands are only reachable by ferry. Before you take the Seattle-Bremerton Ferry or Edmonds-Kingston Ferry, make sure you have read the ultimate guide to taking your car on a ferry.

Purchase a Ticket First

You can purchase tickets for Washington State ferries online or at the ferry’s tollbooth. The type of ticket you buy will depend on the size of your vehicle. If you drive a subcompact car like the Honda CR-Z, you’ll get the Under 14 Feet ticket. Any vehicle longer than 168 inches will require an Under 22 Feet ticket.

Your ticket will tell you several things, including which lane you need to use when you enter the ferry. If you get in the wrong lane, you’ll cause trouble for yourself and everyone else. Pay attention so you’ll have an enjoyable experience.

Turn off Your Engine During Delays

It can take some time to load cars onto a busy ferry. If your lane gets delayed, turn off your engine to conserve gas and prevent emissions from polluting the area. It’s not a good idea to fill an enclosed space with vehicle emissions, especially when you’re in a line with other drivers.

Keep Safety in Mind

In some cases, you will need to drive over a long ramp to enter the ferry. On rare occasions, ramps have collapsed and dropped vehicles into the water below. While it’s unlikely that this will happen to you, you should take a few safety precautions just in case.

To protect yourself, roll down all of the windows, unbuckle your seat belt, and unlock the doors. These precautions will help you escape the vehicle if you happen to fall into the water.

Park Your Car on the Ferry

Once you find your parking spot on the ferry, put your car in park and engage the emergency brake. You don’t want to run the risk that a large wave will make your car roll into other vehicles.

Lock all of your doors before leaving the vehicle. Do not, however, turn on your car’s alarm system. It only takes a little rocking for some systems to sound their alarms. That’s annoying to everyone on board.

Exit Your Vehicle

After you have secured your car, you’re free to exit and find a place to relax during the trip. One of the great things about ferries is that you don’t have to drive long distances. Let the captain do all the work while you read a book, listen to music, or spend time with companions.

Some ferries have lounge areas where you can buy snacks and drinks, so bring a few dollars for refreshments. If you plan to spend time on the ferry’s exterior, you should use sunblock. Even a cloudy day in Burien can give you a sunburn when you’re exposed to ultraviolet rays long enough.

The ferries around the Seattle area make it easy for people to avoid long drives around water. Before you take a ferry, though, you need to know how the process works.

*Based on 2016 EPA mileage/highway estimates and driving range ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your MPGe/MPG and driving range will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery age/condition, and other factors. For additional information about EPA ratings, visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/label/learn-more-PHEV-label.shtml

*MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $835.00 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.