WA ferry travelers have to deal with long queues, busy routes and holiday schedules

EDMONDS, Washington. – On the day before Thanksgiving, travelers across the region will have to contend with crowded ferries, crowded highways and busy terminals. With more than 300,000 people expected to board Washington State Ferries over the holiday weekend, advance planning is critical.

Holiday travelers lined up at the ferry terminals early Wednesday morning. Spaces filled quickly at the Edmonds-Kingston terminal, which houses two large ships Puyallup And Spokaneback on duty.

For some, the preparation was worth it. Marta Sitlani and her family, traveling to Victoria for a short vacation, secured their ferry reservation a month ago after a timely tip.

“Our neighbor Joe told us, ‘Get it early. There will be no space left,’” Sitlani said. “The vacation begins as soon as we get in the car.”

Others, like Allan Tamm, who traveled from the San Juan Islands to Kingston, used the early start as an opportunity to enjoy the experience.

“It really brings back a lot of good memories,” Tamm said. “Being here at the Edmonds terminal and seeing the sound was my first memory as a Seattle resident.”

Mark Colbert, who traveled to Sekiu to visit his family, used online tools to track ferry line wait times.

“You can always see the ride cameras and see how long the lines are,” Colbert said. Despite planning, some travelers had to desperately try to get on the boats.

“It seemed like I had a good chance to slip last time, but I didn’t make it,” Colbert said. “Should be an interesting ride though.”

Washington State Ferries expects its busiest westbound departures to occur on Wednesday and Thursday, with an increase in eastbound traffic on Friday and Saturday as people return home.

“Holy goodness, I didn’t know that,” Sitlani said when he learned about the leisure travel trends.

This year, many travelers are postponing their plans and planning to return on Saturday instead of Sunday to prepare for the upcoming work week.

“I need a vacation for my vacation,” Sitalani joked. “This gives me all Sunday to do laundry, do the kids homework and prepare for the week.”

Plan ahead before traveling for Thanksgiving!

Because Thanksgiving Day ferries operate on a holiday, travelers are encouraged to plan ahead and consider possible congestion at terminals and on highways. The WSF mobile app and website allow you to manage delays, check traffic conditions and book reservations.

Adjustments will be made to holiday service on Thursday, including revised schedules for routes such as Edmonds-Kingston and Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth.

With WSDOT predicting heavy travel for Wednesday and Saturday, ferry travelers recommend the following:

• Plan ahead: Book reservations early and check ferry schedules online.

• Travel early or late: Early morning and late evening trips tend to be less crowded.

• Monitor conditions: Use the WSDOT app or website to check traffic cameras and real-time updates.

• Prepare for delays: Be patient and bring activities or snacks to make the wait more comfortable.

Drivers heading to ferry terminals should also check the WSDOT mobile app or trip map for real-time road conditions and possible backups.

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