- Shuttles in West Seattle: Metro route 775 links Seacrest Park with Alki and Admiral Junction, and DART route 773 links Seacrest Park with the Alaska Junction. Only the 775 goes to Alki.
- Walk or bike: Seacrest Park connects to waterfront pathways, so you can stroll or ride along the shore toward Alki Beach Park.
- Parking at Seacrest: there is only a very limited amount of short-term parking at Seacrest Park, plus street parking along Harbor Avenue SW.
Make a day of it with our guides to things to do in West Seattle, which covers Alki, the Junction and where to eat.
Vashon Island Water Taxi
The Vashon route runs on weekdays between Pier 50 and the Vashon Ferry Terminal at 10800 North Vashon Highway, a terminal owned by Washington State Ferries. The crossing takes about 22 minutes, with sailings in the morning, at midday and in the late afternoon and evening. On the island, Metro routes 118 and 119 connect the terminal with the rest of Vashon and Maury Island, and free parking sits about a block uphill from the dock. The Vashon terminal has ticket machines, restrooms, an indoor waiting area and a restaurant near the base of the dock.
Planning a weekend trip instead? The Water Taxi does not run to Vashon on weekends, so take the state ferry from Fauntleroy; our Vashon Island day trip guide covers both options.
Where to Board Downtown: Pier 50
Downtown sailings use Pier 50 at 801 Alaskan Way, part of the Colman Dock ferry complex; enter at the bottom of Yesler Way. The terminal has a waiting area with an ADA assistance call button, and you can buy ORCA cards there. There is no parking at Pier 50, but paid lots and metered street parking are nearby, and the waterfront is an easy walk from Pioneer Square. Our Seattle ferry terminal guide explains the rest of Colman Dock, and the Seattle waterfront guide covers what to see nearby.
Schedules
King County publishes seasonal sailing schedules, with the current fall and winter schedule running into spring, and you can pick a travel date on each route page to see exact departure times. On the West Seattle route, weekday boats leave roughly every half hour through much of the day, with a short midmorning gap, while most Vashon sailings fall in the morning and late afternoon commute windows, with a few midday trips. Always check the route page the day you travel, since holidays and maintenance can change service.
How to Pay
Pay your one-way fare as you board. King County's Water Taxi overview lists these options:
- ORCA card: tap your card on the crew member's reader; it needs E-purse value or a pass, and ORCA transfers are valid for two hours. ORCA fares are lower than cash fares for adults.
- Tap to pay: a contactless bank card or digital wallet.
- Transit GO Ticket: King County Metro's mobile ticket app.
- Paper ticket or cash: buy tickets from vending machines at the terminals, or pay exact cash. Checks and bus transfers are not accepted.
Youth 18 and under ride free, and seniors, riders with disabilities and ORCA LIFT holders get reduced fares. Reservations are not accepted, and buying a ticket in advance does not guarantee a seat, so arrive a little early on sunny weekends.
Bikes, Pets and Strollers
- Bikes: ride at no extra charge; walk your bike between the pier entrance and the boat. Bikes must be no more than 73 inches long and 15 inches wide, and each boat carries 18 to 26 bikes depending on the vessel.
- Pets: well-behaved leashed dogs and cats in carriers ride free.
- Strollers and luggage: free when properly stored.
A Little History
King County began running passenger ferries in 1997 with the Elliott Bay Water Taxi, a seasonal pilot between West Seattle and downtown. The service became the King County Water Taxi in 2009, took over the Vashon passenger route from Washington State Ferries the same year, and started year-round West Seattle service in 2010, as recorded in the route's history. A new passenger terminal at Pier 50 opened in 2019.
Exploring the city car free? Read our guide to getting around Seattle on public transit, and when you want to shop small along the way, see our guide to shopping local in Seattle.
