Whether you’re traveling from the Anacortes Ferry Terminal to the San Juan Islands for a wedding, family reunion, vacation, or other group events, Washington State Ferries (WSF) wants to make your travel convenient, easy, and predictable.
Vehicle Reservations
Whether you’re traveling from the Anacortes Ferry Terminal to the San Juan Islands for a wedding, family reunion, vacation, or other group events, Washington State Ferries (WSF) wants to make your travel convenient, easy, and predictable. As part of that effort, they have implemented a new reservation system. This system benefits you, the customer, by allowing you to:
- Know when you’ll go with a guaranteed spot for your vehicle on your reserved sailing
- Travel conveniently and predictably
- Spend less time waiting in line for a ferry
This is especially great for anyone making a planned trip to the islands. Below, you will find additional information to help you to plan your travel, make, change and use your reservation. Click here to read over some Frequently Asked Questions about the Vehicle Reservation System.
Sailing Fares
Reservations are free. Fares are based on vehicle size. Go to the Washington State Ferry website for more information: Washington State Ferry – Fares for Vehicles
Planning Your Travel
WSF encourages customers to make reservations, especially during busy travel times. Reservations are for vehicles only; there are no reservations for passengers or walk-on customers. At this time, vehicle reservations are available for travel from Anacortes to all four San Juan Island terminals and Sidney BC:
- Friday Harbor
- Lopez Island
- Orcas Island
- Shaw Island
Reservations can also be made from the Friday Harbor and Orcas terminals to the Anacortes ferry terminal. Vehicle reservations are not available for inter-island travel or from the Lopez or Shaw terminals back to the Anacortes ferry terminal. Therefore, if you are planning to travel back from Lopez or Shaw, please leave adequate time. For more information on sailings that may require a longer wait without a reservation, see the WSF Best Travel Times links at http://www.wsdot.com/ferries/schedule/Default.aspx.
Do I Need an Account?
No, you can make your reservation online as a guest. If you’re a frequent traveler, creating an account makes it easy to make your reservations. Your basic information, vehicles, and credit card numbers can all be saved so you don’t have to re-enter them each time. Click here for instructions on how to make an online reservation as a guest – or click here for instructions on creating an account. After you’ve made an account, click here for instructions on how to make an online reservation with your account.
Making a Reservation
Reservations can be made as soon as the seasonal schedule is released (usually about two months before the season begins) or as little as three hours before your sailing. You can make them online at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries or by calling 1-888-808-7977. Reservations are free but are secured with a valid debit/credit card. There is no deposit, and your card will not be charged as long as you travel from your reserved terminal on the same day as your reservation. You can find more information about no-show fees at http://www.takeaferry.com.
Group Reservations
If you are making Anacortes ferry reservations for any of your guests, it is critical that you know their name, what sailing they want to take, and the size of their vehicle. If you are making more than ten reservations at a time, please call customer service at 1-888-808-7977.
Changing or Canceling Your Reservation
An Anacortes ferry reservation can be changed or canceled any time until 5 p.m. the day before your reserved sailing. There is one free change after 5 p.m., but it has to be done three hours before your sailing. Once this change is made, the reservation cannot be changed again or canceled. If you do not show up for your reservation, or if you cancel your reservation after 5:00 p.m. the day prior to your sailing, you will be charged a no-show fee. Please note that you can avoid the no-show fee if you travel as standby the same day on the route where you made your reservation.
At the Terminal
Please bring your printed confirmation email to the tollbooth so you can scan the bar code or ask questions. Alternatively, you may bring your confirmation number. Please plan to arrive at the terminal 30-90 minutes before your reserved sailing. If you arrive late and miss your ferry sailing, you can still travel standby on a space-available basis. Let the tollbooth know that you had a reservation to avoid a no-show fee.
Traveling Without a Vehicle?
Walk-on and bicycle passengers do not need an Anacortes ferry reservation. Many resorts will arrange to transport guests from the ferry landing. Car, bike, or moped rentals, as well as taxi and limousine services, may be available. For details, check with your lodging or contact the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau at (888) 468-3701 ext. 1 or (360) 378-9551 ext. 1.