How the Anacortes ferry works
Washington State Ferries (WSF) runs the route from the terminal in Anacortes to Lopez, Shaw, Orcas and Friday Harbor. Friday Harbor is the stop on San Juan Island. Not every sailing calls at every island, so read the line for your sailing in the timetable. The fall 2026 timetable is valid from 20 September to 26 December 2026.
The terminal is at 2100 Ferry Terminal Road in Anacortes. From Sea-Tac Airport, WSF gives at least 2.5 hours for the drive, plus time in the ferry line. Do not plan a tight connection between a flight and a sailing.
Crossing times from Anacortes
Four sample sailings from the fall 2026 timetable. These are scheduled times without any wait in the line.
| To | Sample sailing | Scheduled time |
|---|---|---|
| Lopez | 10:05 to 11:00 | 55 minutes |
| Orcas | 7:30 to 8:30 | 60 minutes |
| Shaw | 11:55 to 12:55 | 60 minutes |
| Friday Harbor | 4:05 to 5:15 | 70 minutes |
Other departures differ, and the stops in between change from sailing to sailing. Check the timetable for your day. The ferry landing on Orcas is called Orcas Island in the timetable, not Eastsound. The Orcas Island guide explains how to get from the landing to the village.
Tours on the islands
Whale watching, kayaking and day trips that start on San Juan Island and nearby, with live prices and availability.
Ferry fares in 2026
Base fares from Anacortes since 1 May 2026, without the card surcharge. A car is 14 to under 22 feet, with driver.
| From Anacortes to | Adult on foot | Senior or disability | Car with driver | Car with reduced-fare driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lopez | $18.00 | $9.00 | $45.25 | $36.25 |
| Shaw or Orcas | $18.00 | $9.00 | $54.15 | $45.15 |
| Friday Harbor | $18.00 | $9.00 | $64.15 | $55.15 |
Who pays what
Seniors aged 65 and older pay the reduced fare with proof. Passengers up to age 18 ride free. Additional adults in a car pay the passenger fare. The vehicle part of the fare is not halved.
Summer surcharge
From 1 May to 30 September a 35 percent surcharge applies to vehicles. A bicycle costs $2 extra, and $4 during that season. Young people up to 18 are exempt from the bicycle charge.
Card payments
Since 1 March 2026 WSF adds 3 percent for payments by credit or debit card.
Between islands
Passengers travel free between islands. A car pays a base fare of $30.65 going west, and nothing going east. Fares rose by about 3 percent on 1 October 2025 and again on 1 May 2026, so do not use older price lists.
Vehicle reservations
Reservations are recommended but not required. Standby space is very limited. A reservation is free, a no-show costs money, and the reservation does not replace your ticket. Foot passengers and bicycles do not need one.
A reservation covers one direction, so book the way out and the way back separately. Spaces are released in steps: 30 percent about two months before the season starts at 10:00 am Pacific Time, then 30 percent two weeks ahead and 30 percent two days ahead, each at 7:00 am. The last 10 percent is held for emergencies and standby. You cannot reserve eastbound sailings from Shaw or Lopez to Anacortes.
Winter spaces (27 December 2026 to 20 March 2027) open on 27 October 2026 at 10:00 am Pacific Time.
On the day you travel
Timing and parking at the Anacortes terminal.
Arrive early
Join the line 45 to 60 minutes before departure. Check in with staff at least 30 minutes before, or you lose a reserved space. There is no separate approach lane ahead of the booths.
Changes and cancellations
Cancel by 5:00 pm Pacific Time the day before to avoid a no-show fee. After that you can make one last change, but a later cancellation is charged. No changes or cancellations are possible less than two hours before departure.
Terminal parking
For 1 October 2026 to 30 April 2027, a car pays $8 for one day, $13 for two days, $15 for three days and $24 for seven days. The first 15 minutes are free. Do not read these as summer prices.
Inter-island sailings
An example day: Lopez 6:50 am, Shaw 7:20 am, Orcas 7:40 am, Friday Harbor 8:30 am. Some sailings carry the note "No interisland vehicles; foot passenger and bikes okay", so a car cannot use every sailing to change islands.
Other ways to reach the islands
Some connections you may have seen listed are not running in 2026.
Seattle to Friday Harbor by boat
The Seattle to Friday Harbor passenger ferry is suspended for the 2026 season. The state regulator approved the temporary stop on 30 April 2026. The request covered 10 May 2026 to 10 May 2027, and a return after that is not promised.
Sidney, British Columbia
WSF describes its international service as suspended in 2026. A fare for Sidney may still appear in the tariff, but that does not mean a sailing exists.
Bellingham day cruise
The 2026 Friday Harbor day cruise from Bellingham ran from June to 20 September. Adults paid $79, ages 6 to 17 paid $39.50 and younger children were free. It left at 10 am and returned at 5 pm. This season is over, so look for the next published schedule.
By air
The Kenmore seaplane flies from Seattle to Friday Harbor Marina in about 45 minutes. Its wheeled planes from Boeing Field to Friday Harbor Airport take about 35 minutes. Kenmore Express also serves Eastsound on Orcas Island, with flights every day all year. Boeing Field is a different airport from Sea-Tac, so book a ground shuttle in advance.
Delays, cancellations and work ahead
Check the travel alerts on the day you go.
Delays and canceled sailings happen on every ferry system. On 5 October 2026, a pay dispute with vessel engineers caused major disruption across the WSF system. That does not mean a lasting strike. WSF's 2026 contingency plan says that when service is cut, inter-island sailings in the San Juans get priority over mainland sailings. It also says reservations cannot be moved to another sailing.
On 18 October 2026 the elevator on the vessel Tillikum was out of service and there was no toilet on the vehicle deck. If you need step-free access, check the vessel before you travel. For 2027, WSF has announced berth work: limited operations at Anacortes from 22 to 26 February, Orcas closed on 9 and 10 March and Lopez closed on 16 and 17 March.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where the ferry takes you.
Friday Harbor
The ferry port on San Juan Island, with the whale museum and the airport.
Lopez Island
The first stop from Anacortes, with beaches and bicycle rental.
Weather and best time
Monthly temperatures and rainfall for the islands.
Where to stay
Which island and town to choose for your nights.
Anacortes ferry: frequently asked questions
Do I need a reservation for the San Juan Islands ferry?
Not for foot passengers or bicycles. For a car, WSF recommends one because standby space is very limited. The reservation is free, but a no-show is charged and you still need a ticket.
How long is the ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor?
A sample sailing in the fall 2026 timetable takes 70 minutes, from 4:05 to 5:15. Other sailings can differ, and the queue before boarding is not included.
How early should I arrive with a car?
Join the line 45 to 60 minutes before departure, and check in at least 30 minutes before. If you miss that time, your reserved space is lost.
Is there a direct ferry from Seattle?
Not in 2026. The Seattle to Friday Harbor passenger ferry is suspended for the season. The usual route is by car to Anacortes, or a flight from Boeing Field.
Can I take a car between the islands?
Yes on many sailings, but some carry a note that no inter-island vehicles are taken. Passengers travel free between islands, and a car pays $30.65 going west.
Can I pay by card?
Yes. Since 1 March 2026 WSF adds 3 percent to card payments, including card-paid no-show fees.