NeoPatrick

I'm having a hard time sorting through the schedules and descriptions. If I'm reading right, while the ferry trip from Sydney to Anacortes is longer than the one from Victoria to Port Angeles, the driving portions make up for the difference. Is that right? Of course I'm also aware that I'd have to drive to Sydney as opposed to catching the Port Angeles ferry right by our hotel in Victoria.

I've done both, but can't really remember which route might be the more "interesting". Not looking for sightseeing along the way, other than maybe a nice lunch somewhere (this will be on a Friday, the first week of September).

Anything I'm not considering here? Thoughts?

happytrailstoyou

The Sydney-Anacortes crossing is more scenic than the crossing from Victoria to Port Angeles.

If you land in Port Angeles headed for Seattle, the drive to the Kingston ferry is more scenic than the drive to the Bainbridge ferry; however, the ferry from Bainbridge offers views of the Seattle skyline and, on a clear day, Mt. Rainier, the Cascades, and the Olympics.

I don't know if the best restaurants in Bainbridge serve lunch.

HTtY

sunbum1944

I usually do the Tswassassan- Swartz Bay Ferry because it is the most scenic and has the most departure times- but then you do have to deal with the border crossing- I usually have done this off peak season so waiting has not been a problem.
I choose this ferry as I am driving from Oregon and I know that if I run into traffic or a problem on the road, there are departures almost every hour.


If you decide to do the Kingston Ferry- Edmonds is a very cute town with lots of restaurants, shops etc.

Fodorite018

I don't mind the route from PA to the Kingston ferry at all. The area around that ferry has improved a lot over the last few years and there are plenty of places to relax and wait for the ferry. As sun bum mentioned, Edmonds is a great little town too.

If you need a good lunch spot in PA, hands down go to Next Door GastroPub.

happytrailstoyou

In driving to the Kingston ferry you will pass through Port Gamble, one of Washington's cute towns--a bit of a surprise if you haven't passed thorough it before.

HTtY

NeoPatrick

sunbum, I'm confused -- from Oregon you go clear up to Tswassassan and then take the ferry to Swartz Bay? This is the ferry you'd take going from Victoria to Seattle?

We are planning on taking that ferry from Vancouver to Victoria, however.

sunbum1944

Yes- I drive up to Tswassassan- drive time from Eugene not much different than to Anacortes or Pt Angeles unless I get stuck in Seattle traffic but I time myself to try and miss it and as I said, I am not usually traveling in peak tourist season so border has never been a big wait.

The Anacortes ferry leaves too early for a safe departure for me ( not one to get up at 6 AM to start driving)

Pt Angeles has a 5:30 PM but if I miss that one, there are no more until 9:30- so I go to Tswassassan who has more departure times.

And I like ride from Tswassassan better too.

If you like sweets, try a Nanaimo Bar when you get on board ( I think only on the BC Ferry) Its a piece of Canadian confection-I look forward to having a piece and a cup of coffee as soon as I find a spot and get settled.

I have taken the Blackball Ferry back as easy departure from the Victoria Inner Harbor.

FaceInTheCrowd

I've done them both, and can't remember which takes more time overall, but if that's a toss-up, I'd take the Sidney - Anacortes ferry. Much rather spend time on a boat than behind the wheel of my car.

Gardyloo

Sydney is in New South Wales; Sidney is in British Columbia.

The Coho + Bainbridge (or Kingston) boats will cost around $23 more for a party of two than the Anacortes boat, and the time difference will be (relatively) a wash ONLY if you slide into the Bainbridge or Kingston queues right when everything's boarding.

I'd take the Tsawwassen (BC) boat only if you're touring the lower BC mainland; if you're heading straight to Seattle the border will nuke any time advantage, plus the BC boat is $15 more than the WA ferry.

NeoPatrick

Gardyloo, drat! I was hoping for a VERY long ferry ride from Sydney. LOL

And incidentally, I was looking at getting a senior ID card for Seattle transportation which apparently also gives a substantial discount on Washington State ferries -- but not Black Ball. I'm kind of leaning towards the Sidney to Anancrtes route. I also like the noon departure from Sidney. That kind of screws up lunch, but after a big buffet breakfast in Victoria, maybe that's a good thing.

happytrailstoyou

The senior transportation pass in Seattle is for residents only (not like in San Francisco) and it doesn't provide additional discounts on ferries.

When we park in Anacortes and go to San Juan Island for the day, we pick up the makings for a great picnic to eat on the ferry back to Anacortes.

HTtY

NeoPatrick

Really, htty? I printed off the application for the senior ID card, read the whole thing and never saw that it was for residents only. But maybe I read too quickly. And the website does specifically show discounts for the Washington State ferries.

Gardyloo

You get the senior discount at the ferry tollbooth just by asking; no ID is required.

NeoPatrick

OK, thanks. Yes I did see the senior fares on the Washington State Ferry site, but the regional pass thing mentioned using your senior ID card for them, guess it isn't needed.
But looking again at the site, I see NOTHING about the senior ID card being only for residents. All it says is you must apply by mail or in person and you must be 65 or older. There is a $3 charge, but I suppose it's hardly worth doing just for a couple trips on light rail to and from the airport, or a couple of rides within the city.

happytrailstoyou

I called information, and you are right: Anybody my apply for the senior pass, and it is good for your lifetime!

I think it's worthwhile to apply. Senior fare from the airport is $2.50 vs. $5.25 and senior bus fare in Seattle is $.75 vs. $2.25 or $2.50 at peak travel times. You don't have to travel much to recoop the $3.00 fee.

HTtY

NeoPatrick

OK, htty, now I'm still confused. I thought the light rail from airport to downtown (Westlake) is $2.50 regular price and 75 cents for seniors. Am I wrong?

I think the Westlake station is right by the Hyatt, and just a couple blocks from the Budget office at Homewood Suites (1011 Pike Street) where we need to pick up our car. Is that right?

happytrailstoyou

You are right again. I don't know where I got the $2.50 figure.

The distance between Westlake Station and the Grand Hyatt depends on which exit you take from the train and which door you go into the hotel. I say two blocks.

Homewood Suites is about three blocks from the Grand Hyatt.

HTtY