Port Angeles - Sea-Tac strategy
 

My friend has a flight at 11:50 am on Monday, Sept. 8th. It's a fair drive from Port Angeles, and I'm thinking of staying the last night somewhere closer to the airport, but still scenic (she loves water!). Any suggestions? If we were to come over from the Bainbridge or Kingston ferry around 10, how bad would the traffic be?

Personally I wouldn't take a ferry with a flight to catch and IMO taking a ferry that arrives in Seattle at 10 AM would be cutting it FAR too close, let alone taking one to Edmonds--that doesn't leave enough margin for error if the ferry is running late or if you miss the ferry you want. But to answer your question, the traffic shouldn't be too bad by 10 AM and it will normally take about 30 minutes to the airport.

I'd consider staying at Alderbrook out on Hood Canal if your budget permits, and then driving around to the airport via the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and I-5. You'd want to leave there by 8:30 AM or so in order to get to the airport the recommended 2 hours in advance (unless she doesn't have luggage to check and already has her boarding pass).

How about spending the last night in Gig Harbor? It's cute and on the water, and from there only a bit over half an hour to SeaTac. I personally wouldn't depend on a ferry: in order to get to the airport by 10 you'd have to be on one of the crowded commuter ferry runs, which means lining up way early.

I was going to suggest Gig Harbor, actually, but I couldn't think of any places to stay that are on the water--but maybe that's not a requirement (I wasn't sure from the OP).

I believe you will need to be at Seatac by 9:30 at the latest, so you are talking about driving closer to rush hour. I would not take a chance on Seattle traffic if you have far to go. If there is an accident, it could take an hour. Beware of traffic, including on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge from Gig Harbor. I'd stay on the aiport side of the water, and not have to worry. Look for B&B's in Desmoines WA, Three Tree Point, Burien, Federal Way. (along the water near the airport). There are plenty of lovely beaches and beautiful spots on Puget Sound near the airport.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I'm puzzled though, for a flight that is almost noon, why I need to drop off my friend so early. In Detroit an hour is plenty of time, even if checking luggage (which she won't be doing). I've flown out of Seattle a number of times, and unlike Denver never had huge lines at security. Has something changed? But I certainly understand the wisdom of not cutting it too close with ferry travel and morning traffic.

SEA has become somewhat notorious for delays through security, although the early morning departures are worst. It's just not worth the risk to cut it close.

Seatac specifies that you should arrive 2 hours before a domestic flight. That being said, I usually print my boarding pass the night before and try to get to the airport about 1.5 hours before the flight. Even then I'm usually one of the first people at the gate...I've never encountered more than a 10 or 15 minute wait at SEA security. Last month I had a 11 am flight and walked straight through.

Orcas, you must be aware that the addition of the new bridge at the Tacoma Narrows has almost completely eliminated traffic problems in that area? YMMV, but I can't think of a single place between Tacoma and SeaTac where I'd want to spend the night. It's pretty urban, and pretty grim IMHO. Federal Way!!?? You've got to be kidding.

I've found that 90 minutes is generally sufficient at Seatac--an hour would be cutting it too close IMO unless you're flying first class and can cut the lines. 10:30 AM would probably be fine in your case.

You never know when you're going to run into a long line at security, though, and I'm a better safe than sorry traveler esp these days when there are not many options if you miss your flight.

Besides, she can always go get a manicure at Butter if she has extra time--the best reason to get to Seatac early ;-)!

And Azzure, there actually are some lovely places on the water in the Federal Way area. But I think staying on the other side of the bridge would be fine--I just wouldn't take a ferry.

Hi NWW ...of course you could be right about Federal Way; to me that whole Fife/FW/Des Moines I-5 corridor looks forbidding...guess I'll have to get off the freeway some time! (I'm usually in a hurry -- on the way to the airport.) :-)

Sorry. For some reason I was thinking your departure time was an hour earlier, at 10:50. I agree that 1 1/2 hours is sufficient at Seatac, so getting there no later than 10:30 should be fine. I think the worst time for aiport delays are around 6 AM, when people are trying to get to the east coast.

Traffic is lighter later, so you should be okay.

I knew there was a new bridge but hadn't heard how good it was about eliminating delays. That is very good news!

<i>My friend has a flight at 11:50 am on Monday, Sept. 8th. It's a fair drive from Port Angeles, and I'm thinking of staying the last night somewhere closer to the airport, but still scenic (she loves water!).</i>

Consider taking the ferry from Port Townsend to Whidbey Island the prior evening, then drive down Whidbey to the Mukilteo ferry, cross to Mukilteo, and stay the night at the Silver Cloud Inn right on the waterfront (actually, over the water) - http://www.silvercloud.com/12home.htm.

The next morning you can use the carpool lanes from Mukilteo (via the Boeing Freeway - SR 126) to Seattle and on to the airport. Piece of cake.