Seattle to Port Townsend by Passenger Ferry

Water jets push the passenger ferry Snohomish at a speed of 30 knots.

Washington State Ferries recently took the 80-year old Steel Electric car ferries that ran between Port Townsend and Keystone on Whidbey Island out of service because it was determined that maintenance to make them safe to operate would be cost prohibitive. It will be at least 14 months before new car ferries are back in service, leaving Port Townsend high and dry during this important holiday shopping season. To help Port Townsend merchants, a passenger ferry from Seattle to Port Townsend was added. My wife, Nola and I needed to finish off our holiday shopping, but we couldn’t stand the thought of fighting traffic in our car and elbowing our way through throngs of mall shoppers. When we heard about the new passenger ferry to Port Townsend, we jumped at the opportunity. The Snohomish, a high-speed catamaran operated by Washington State Ferries, departs from Pier 50 at Colman Dock on the Seattle waterfront four times a day, reaching Port Townsend in ninety minutes. Round trip fare is only $6.70! On our voyage, we passed close by the lighthouses at West Point and Point No Point, and saw huge container ships steaming their way down the sound.





Passenger ferry Snohomish docking in Port Townsend

We docked at the Washington State Ferry terminal in the heart of the Port Townsend waterfront, walking distance from the shops, galleries and restaurants. If you take the 8:30 a.m. boat from Seattle, it allows enough time to stroll around Port Townsend for about five hours, have lunch, do some shopping and take the boat home and be back in Seattle by 4:15 p.m. without ever touching the steering wheel of a car!


The Snohomish docks walking distance from the shops, galleries and restaurants in Port Townsend.

If you have more time, you may want to spend the night at one of the many, eclectic B&Bs or hotels in Port Townsend. We stayed at The Commander’s Beach House, a bed & breakfast right on the water near Point Hudson Marina. The innkeeper, Jim Oldroyd, picked us up at the ferry dock and drove us to the Beach House. Built in 1934 in the Colonial Revival Style, the Beach House was originally the residence for the Commanding Medical Officer of the U.S. Quarantine Station at Point Hudson.

The Commander’s Beach House, a B&B built in 1934 in Colonial Revival Style.

After getting settled into our room, we walked three blocks into town and completed our holiday shopping. Rather than shop at the same chain stores that are at most major malls, we were able to browse shops and galleries with one-of-a kind arts, crafts and merchandise. After shopping, we dropped into the Water Street Brewing and Ale House for appetizers and drinks. We were expecting typical bar food, but were pleasantly surprised when we were served gourmet smoked salmon on croquets and crab cakes that were to die for.

The living room at The Commander’s Beach House – a great place to curl up with a good book.

When we woke up in the morning, there was a break in the gray, rainy weather and the sun broke out against a deep blue sky. We took a walk on the beach and visited the Wooden Boat Foundation, which has a store and boat chandlery with hard-to-find supplies for wooden boats.

The Wooden Boat Foundation headquarters and store at Point Hudson Marina in Port Townsend.

Our host, Jim, drove us back to the ferry dock, and I was concerned to see that the wind had increased to about 30 knots, whipping up four-foot whitecaps on the water. I was afraid our trip home on the Snohomish would be rather bumpy, but it turned out to be remarkably smooth. The bright sun highlighted the spray from the waves as the boat cut through the water like a knife through butter. The view was spectacular as we made our way back home to Seattle.

The view of Puget Sound from the cabin of the passenger ferry Snohomish.

We returned home with our holiday shopping done, feeling very relaxed and refreshed. Compare that to fighting gridlocked traffic and mall madness! The passenger ferry between Seattle and Port Townsend is only going to be in service through early January, 2008, so if you are interested in taking this trip, do it soon!

Port Townsend Passenger Ferry Trip Information
Washington State Ferry Schedule & Fares 1-888-808-7977

Port Townsend Passenger Ferry Schedule

From Seattle: 8:30 a.m, 12:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m.

From Port Townsend: 6:45 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 2:45 p.m., 6:15 p.m.

Round trip passenger fare: $6.70

Port Townsend Lodging Info
http://www.ptguide.com/