Bremerton Ferry

Always a fun trip for us out of town folk. The only issue was the older couple next to us on the ferry who were over the yellow line and made it real hard for us to get out. I do hope I left a dent in your white Toyota.

The Bremerton ferry can get crowded when the Nimitz Carrier comes in for maintenance. However, the seats are plentiful and cushioned. The 6 am ferry is packed going to Bremerton. The Bainbridge ferry is nicer than Bremerton — not all ferrys are equal. It can get rocking so if you don’t have your sea legs try sitting in the center. There is food for purchase on the ferry.

The ferry is a great, inexpensive form of transportation to get from Seattle to Bremerton. It took about an hour, but it went by fairly quickly. They sell snacks and even bud light and wine on board. The view was awesome, especially when we came back to Seattle in the evening.

Rode this boat, didn’t even know where Bremerton was. Found out awhile later. We watched the sun rise while we sailed around the waters of Seattle. Drank coffee, people watched. Boat was clean, spotless even. I still couldn’t find it on a map, but I know I saw it. Bremerton, I mean. Seattle I could find.

Of the two routes that leave Colman Dock, the Bremerton one has the feeling of being the poor stepchild. The Bainbridge route has the larger, nicer ferries while Bremerton has a couple of midrange size ferries. The crews that are on the Bainbridge route tend to do an admirable job of maintaining and keeping clean their ships while the Bremerton crews don’t have the willpower to do the same. I get the feeling that if there is ever a bridge built between Bainbridge and Bremerton, the Bremerton run would be cancelled in a heartbeat and all of the commuters Kitsap Transit busses to the Bremerton ferry terminal would be driven over the bridge to the Bainbridge ferry terminal.
The Bremerton trip is a more scenic one compared to Bainbridge. At one point, you have Blake Island, where the Native American dancers put on a really good show, on one side of the boat and the southern shore of Bainbridge on the other. Further along, after turning to enter Rich Passage, you have the aqua farms on both sides and then the twin state parks, Fort Ward and Manchester State Park, where a submarine chain once stretched across the waters during WWII. A couple of turns and then the final run to Bremerton.

An interesting experience in public transport, that’s for sure.
We got there pretty early, because we didn’t know how busy it’d be. I spent a lot of time looking over the edge at a few of the jellyfish. That was interesting enough for me, because I’d never seen one, but I imagine the novelty wears off quickly.
Boarding could not have been simpler. Just drive on, go down the lane the guy waves you down, and park.
The ferry was extremely crowded for our trip. A local told my dad and I that it was kinda unusual for it to get so packed with people at that time (early afternoon), but that a Mariners game had just let out. Bad timing on our part.
The trip goes quickly enough. Crossing took about an hour.
There are great views in most directions. Looking back towards Seattle, there’s a good view of the city. For awhile there’s also a good view of the shipyard where you can see some of the vessels.
Even in summer, I’d recommend bringing a sweatshirt for the crossing if you plan to walk around on deck. It’s not freezing, but the temperature does dip over the sound and the boat gets moving at a pretty good clip.

My second time utilizing the Washington Ferry system, my first with the Bremerton line (Bainbridge was the other). Rode the vessel «Walla Walla», which was a longer trip than Bainbridge yet appreciated, nonetheless. Food can be a little pricey, so it’s best to bring your own. Silverdale is 8 miles away from the end of the line.

$ 17.30 from Bremerton to Seattle. You get to see the retired Navy vessels in the Bremerton Naval Shipyard, as you approach the terminal. The ferry terminal works efficiently, and easily, even for first-​timers, like us. On a nice day, like we had, the views are great, including Mt. Rainier. Comfortable lounge, upstairs. Exiting at Seattle is a bit more complicated, as there is construction going on.

This is the cheapest and most convenient way to get from Bremerton to Seattle. For one, it’s a free ride over to the Emerald City and coming home it’s only around $ 8. Much cheaper than gas, plus you can kick your feet up for an hour while you’re sailing off to your desired destination. You can entertain yourself with your laptop, but there is a charge for it if you don’t have your own.
The ferry tends to get more crowded first thing in the morning and in the evenings from commuters trying to get to work, other than that, it’s easy to score a seat. I would just recommend arriving early if you want a booth by the window to enjoy glimpses of the water and the gigantic houses along the way.
During the summer, it’s nice to sit outside on the deck and enjoy the sunshine. Though it’s summer, it can still be cold, so a jacket is still recommended, but an excellent opportunity for some photos of the cityscapes as you approach Seattle itself.
If you don’t feel like driving, you can bring your car on board as well — but it’s more expensive. Just another option so you don’t have to fight traffic.

Great ride and great view. Be advised that if you drive onto the Ferry… you will get charged on the Bremerton side by the size of your car and on the Seattle side by the size and the # of people in your car. For a Scion xB its $ 13.75 to go to Seattle and $ 21.00 to come back.
Bring your own snacks. They do have Wi-​Fi though.

Me and Terry hopped a ferry, we were lookin Swass
When a dip hit the ship we were almost tossed
It was a big bremelo standing on my toe,
An enormous jelly-​belly tryin’ to say hello
I was really kinda frightened as she looked my way,
I tried to run because her buns made the ferry sway
To be blunt she was fat and ready for combat
On the way to Bremerton where the fat is at,
The Girls a bremelo.

Sometimes you just want to be out on the water, even if it’s cold outside. I often take ferries not to get anywhere but to be out in the open. Took this out during sunset which was pretty magnificent. As the sun set so did the temperature. However it was a long enough leisurely ride and it got us to see the nature outside of the city limits.

My FHSBF drops me here, and the roads and drop off areas on the Seattle side are a nightmare, though it’s much nicer on the Bremerton side. The ferry itself is always clean, and who can resist a soft pretzel (wipe half the salt off though— why is there always too much or zero?) and an $ 8 beer? Just saying. Always comfortably heated, always lots of seating (duh, it’s massive), the girl’s bathroom has a cool mirrored room off of it that people just stand in and do their makeup and stare at themselves in the mirror— pretty convenient and roomy for public transit, all things considered.
If you’re from out of town and considering driving around, I would suggest taking the ferry at least once. Park the car, go upstairs, get a cup of chowdah, a pretzel, and a beer, and sit close to the front so you can see the slow pass of the Puget Sound.

What can I say? It got me there, it didn’t sink in the process, it took just an hour and while it was $ 16 each way, I could bring my car, hop out and get a snack or even enjoy the views. I don’t come to Bremerton often but from Seattle this is quite a lovely ferry ride.

Longest boat ride for you buck!
Good record for on time performance and you have a better chance of being able to get on the boat with your car during tourist season since the run is less popular than Bainbridge Island. BI gets the bigger boats but these are pretty nice.
All aboard!

Best ride in the sentence in town! My wife and I have never been a ferryboat before so we had been looking forward to it since we came to Seattle. Other than the cold while standing on the deck it was one of the best boat rides I’ve ever had. The staff at the docks were fast efficient getting cars on ferry. Because it was February known was out on the deck which was really nice to have the whole place to yourself. We had no business in any of the towns the ferry was heading, we just enjoyed the ride. If you’re making a trip to Seattle jump on the ferry and enjoy the ride.

While it’s not exactly a luxury cruise, the Seattle-​Bremerton ferry is still more than just a floating bus!
Well, OK, I guess it is just a floating bus– but it’s a really big floating bus that you can drive your car onto, walk around, enjoy the fresh air outside, stretch out on a cushioned bench for a nap, have a meal, work on your laptop, enjoy the scenery, relax and space out… whatever. These vessels are a lot more comfortable than their terrestrial counterparts, and traveling across the water beats the hell out of being stuck in traffic on I-​5.
The cost is quite reasonable: $ 7.50 round trip fare for a walk on or vehicle passenger (fee is only charged westbound; no cost to board in Bremerton) or $ 12.75 for car & driver each way. ORCA cards are valid for walk-​ons but NOT for vehicles. Crossings take about an hour.

FAVORITE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
(4 stars)
Seattle is actually pretty big on the «ferry transportation» from one city to the next. Why drive an hour to btown when you can hope on here, enjoy a nice water ride, saves gas and beats traffic.
It was also convenient for me since my xfactor was stationed out in btown. Always enjoyable when the ferry isn’t packed and you get to select your seat (preferably by the window), lay back, eat, and enjoy the 1hr ferry ride (and when its sunset, love it even more).
Have you ever watched «Grey’s Anatomy» where Addison (kate walsh) is heading to work (Seattle) in the mornings ON A FERRY AND RIDING AT THE FRONT NOSE ENJOYING THE VIEW… well its kind of like that but she makes it look like its warm outside and Seattle isn’t that warm unless its summer.
The only thing I hate about it, is waiting for the next ferry. ESPECIALLY if you bring your car. You have to wait in those long lines forever until the next ferry arrives and empties out before you can drive your car in. And if the car port is filled, your stuck waiting for another ferry (it can be a pain). You come early and wait forever or you come late and risk not getting on that ferry; lose-​lose situation.

Route 16 dropped me right in front of the ferry!
The terminal at Pier 52 is quite nice. There are restaurants and coffee shop inside. The lobby is clean. The ticketing lady was really friendly and helpful answering me whether I can use my Orca card for ferry. And, yes!
The ferry we were on was «Puyallup» It has its own cafeteria which sells food and drink (I smelled popcorn too) The deck is very clean. It was absolutely nice seeing Seattle from the ferry. However, it will be even better if it’s on a sunny day.

I have no clue what it’s like to commute on this ferry, but I do occasionally enjoy to just grab a ferry and cross the water. Take a walk and maybe enjoy a meal… and then head back to Seattle.
There have been plenty of passengers on board every time I’ve taken the ferry, so finding a seat (especially one next to a spot to plug your phone or laptop in) could get difficult. It’s not fancy or especially comfortable, but it gets you from one place to the next… bonus points for it being a journey with great views and a nice breeze! Sometimes it’s a bit more than a breeze, however, so I tend to stay inside on those days.
There’s no «expert» talking about the history or sharing interesting details about the area (like on an Argosy cruise), but the views are great and it’s cheap enough to be perfect for a spontaneous (relaxing) outing.
The food on-​board is pre-​made and mostly pre-​packaged (exmps: Ivar’s chowder, hot dogs, sandwiches, snacks) and apparently it’s normal for them to take ONE MONTH to finally process your payment. Also, they apparently serve beer. The old men who didn’t want to stop their evening of drinking were very pleased by that fact. ;)