Seattle to Vashon Island day trip by ferry

WA Ferry Tracker › Seattle to Vashon Island day trip by ferry

Vashon Island is the closest "real island" day trip from Seattle that most visitors never take. It sits in the middle of south Puget Sound between Seattle and Tacoma, it has no bridge, and the ferry from West Seattle takes about 20 minutes. Wikipedia describes the island (officially the Vashon census-designated place, which also covers Maury Island) as rural, with about 11,000 residents at the 2020 census and roughly 37 square miles of land. That mix of farmland, shoreline parks and a small arts-minded town is the whole point of the trip.

This guide is the day-trip layer. It doesn't repeat the route and terminal pages. For crossing basics on the main car ferry, see the Fauntleroy–Vashon–Southworth route guide. For the West Seattle dock itself (shoulder-lane car line, no lot, boarding order), see the Fauntleroy ferry terminal guide. For the island-side docks, see Vashon and Southworth ferry terminals and Point Defiance and Tahlequah ferry terminals.

Three ways to get to Vashon

1. The Fauntleroy–Vashon car ferry (the default)

The WSF terminal is at 4829 SW Barton St in West Seattle. WSDOT's directions say to follow Fauntleroy Way SW for about 3 miles to the terminal, just past Lincoln Park. Boats on this "triangle" route serve Fauntleroy, Vashon and Southworth (Kitsap). Some sailings go to one destination and some stop at both, so tell the tollbooth attendant you're going to Vashon and follow the lane signs. On multi-stop sailings, WSDOT's published loading order from Fauntleroy is bikes, Vashon motorcycles, Vashon vehicles, Southworth motorcycles, then Southworth vehicles.

Parking near Fauntleroy is the catch for walk-ons. WSDOT says there is only limited on-street parking and asks riders to avoid the "permit parking only" areas. There is no ferry lot, which is why we suggest a drop-off or the bus. King County lists the RapidRide C Line as serving Fauntleroy, Alaska Junction, West Seattle and downtown. Check Metro's trip planner for the current stop and times.

The Fauntleroy terminal has a waiting room, restrooms and food service. It has no overhead passenger loading and no elevator, so walk-ons board at dock level. WSDOT posts fall 2026 galley hours for the three boats on this route. They generally run from early or mid-morning to early evening and differ by boat and day, so don't count on a hot meal on a late return.

2. The King County Water Taxi from downtown (weekdays this season)

The Water Taxi leaves from Pier 50 (801 Alaskan Way; enter at the bottom of Yesler Way) and docks at the same WSF Vashon terminal at the north end. King County puts the crossing at about 22 minutes. Pier 50 can hold up to 500 people under cover, and elevated walkways connect it to the restrooms in the WSF Colman Dock terminal next door (Colman Dock guide). There's no parking at Pier 50 itself. King County points to paid lots, street meters, buses and Link light rail instead.

The important detail for day-trippers is the schedule. King County says a new schedule began October 10, 2026 and runs through April 9, 2027, and the only timetable it posts for that period is Monday–Friday. The weekday table runs from early morning to about 7 p.m., with a gap in the late morning and another in mid-afternoon. In the spring/summer schedule that ended in October, King County also posted Saturday and Sunday tables. If you're planning a weekend trip this fall or winter, plan on Fauntleroy, and check the Water Taxi page again for spring 2027. Holidays can change service too. King County's site notes that transit schedules may be different on Veterans Day (Wednesday, Nov 11, 2026), and the Water Taxi page has a holiday-service section.

Water Taxi fares (King County, Vashon route): adult (19–64) $7.00 cash or ticket, or $6.00 with ORCA; ORCA LIFT $1.00; seniors 65+ or riders with disabilities $3.00 with a Regional Reduced Fare Permit; youth 0–18 free; bikes and pets no extra charge. Fares are one way and paid as you board, with exact cash, tap-to-pay card or phone, ORCA, the Transit GO Ticket app, or a paper ticket from the terminal vending machine. King County says ORCA transfers are valid for two hours. Buying ahead doesn't guarantee a seat.

3. Point Defiance–Tahlequah from Tacoma (the south door)

The Point Defiance terminal is at 5810 North Pearl Street in Tacoma, at the edge of Point Defiance Park. WSDOT's directions from I-5 follow Highway 16 to the 6th Avenue exit (signed for the Vashon ferry), then Pearl Street (SR 163) north about 3.5 miles to the park entrance. Stay right and don't drive into the park. The tollbooth is a block farther on the right. WSDOT says Metro Parks Tacoma handles the adjacent parking.

The south end works differently. Fares are collected only going to the island, and WSDOT says there's no staff at Tahlequah. Crew arrive on the boat. Tahlequah has no waiting room, no restrooms and no food service, just a Park and Ride lot next to the dock. Point Defiance has a waiting room and restrooms. WSDOT lists the boat's fall 2026 galley as open 8:30 a.m.–5:10 p.m. daily, with a limited menu and credit cards only.

Fares and tickets: what WSDOT actually says

We don't reprint WSF fare amounts because they vary by route, vehicle size and season. Use WSDOT's fare tool for today's numbers. The rules that matter for a Vashon day trip are on WSDOT's ticket and terminal pages:

• Car fares to Vashon are round trip. WSDOT lists Fauntleroy/Vashon and Southworth/Vashon among the routes where the vehicle-and-driver ticket is round trip. Motorcycle fares are also round trip and are redeemed at Fauntleroy, Southworth and Point Defiance.
• Nothing is collected leaving the island. At the Vashon terminal, WSDOT says fares aren't collected before departure, and there's no payment for passengers or bikes going from Vashon to Fauntleroy or Southworth. At Tahlequah, there are no tolls or fares at all.
• So a one-way "through" trip pays once. You could drive from Tacoma onto the Point Defiance boat, cross Vashon, and leave from the north end to Fauntleroy, or do the reverse. Either way you only pay at the terminal where you boarded toward the island, because neither island dock collects fares. The two routes are priced separately, so compare them in the fare tool.
• Kids ride free. Children and youth under 19 ride free as WSF passengers. Where a walk-on ticket is needed to pass the turnstile, the youth has to be at the booth to get a free youth ticket, and it's valid for six hours. A teenager driving the car still pays the adult vehicle-and-driver fare.
• Half-price passenger fares are available for seniors 65+, riders with disabilities and Medicare card holders who show eligible ID.
• Bikes: WSDOT charges an extra fee for an adult passenger bringing a bicycle. The Water Taxi doesn't.
• 3% card fee: Since March 1, 2026, WSF adds a 3% surcharge to tickets bought with a credit or debit card, in person, at a kiosk or online. WSDOT says you can avoid it by using an ORCA card bought online or at an ORCA vending machine. Loading cash value onto ORCA at a WSF terminal still carries the fee.
• Tickets are valid for 90 days (free youth tickets, six hours), and buying ahead doesn't reserve a sailing.

Timing, lines and the Fauntleroy factor

Every way onto Vashon is first come, first served, so your timing is your reservation. Here's what WSDOT publishes and how we'd use it:

• Arrive early enough. WSDOT's first-time-rider page asks walk-ons to be aboard at least five minutes before the sailing and drivers to be in the tollbooth line at least 20 minutes ahead on most routes. Bikes should arrive about 20 minutes early so they load first. A late bike loads at the end.
• Use the "best times to travel" charts. WSDOT publishes separate vehicle charts for Fauntleroy/Vashon, Southworth/Vashon and Point Defiance/Tahlequah, plus "2-boat schedule" versions for the Fauntleroy routes. They're built from past ticket sales and cover vehicles only. WSDOT notes that in almost all cases there's still room for walk-ons and bikes. Our best time to take the ferry guide explains how to read them.
• Watch for reduced service. When the triangle drops to two boats, gaps get longer and lines grow. Check WSF travel alert bulletins the morning you leave and again before you head back.
• Holiday weekends are a different game. On Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year weekends, the heavy car traffic runs toward the island on getaway days and back toward West Seattle on return days. Our Fauntleroy holiday vehicle-line playbook covers the pattern, the shoulder-lane line and when to just walk on. For the Thanksgiving week itself, see our Thanksgiving 2026 ferry tips.
• Our rule of thumb (not a WSF rule): on a normal weekend, head over in the morning and come back mid-afternoon or after the evening peak, not right when the island empties out. If the Fauntleroy line looks long on the cameras, a walk-on trip with a bike or bus on the island is usually the faster day.

The Vashon terminal doesn't show WSDOT's live "terminal conditions" space counts (WSDOT says they're unavailable there). Check the cameras on WSDOT's real-time map and our ferry tracker instead.

Getting around the island

Vashon isn't a walk-off-the-boat town like Winslow on Bainbridge. The ferry docks are at the island's far north and south tips, and Vashon Highway runs between them. Wikipedia describes it as running from the Tahlequah ferry terminal in the south to the north-end Heights Dock. Plan how you'll get around before you go.

By car

A car is the simplest way to reach the Maury Island parks and Point Robinson in one day. It also means sitting in the vehicle line at Fauntleroy on a busy afternoon. Parking at the north-end terminal is about a block uphill, and King County says it's free. WSDOT also mentions Park and Ride lots in town. We couldn't verify drive times between island stops, so we don't list any. Check a map app on the day.

By bus (King County Metro 118 and 119)

King County lists Metro routes 118 and 119 as the on-island connection at the Vashon terminal, serving "Vashon Island, Tahlequah, Dockton," and WSDOT says both routes serve the Tahlequah ferry. According to Wikipedia, both routes start at the Vashon ferry terminal and split at Valley Center mid-island, with 118 serving the south end and 119 serving Maury Island. King County Parks says the Dockton parks are served by route 119. We couldn't load Metro's live 118/119 timetable while writing this, so we can't tell you how often they run, or whether weekend and evening service matches weekdays. Check Metro's schedule page or trip planner before you build a car-free day around them.

By bike

Bikes are the classic car-free Vashon plan, and the ferries make them easy. On WSF you skip the car line, arrive about 20 minutes early, load first and walk your bike on and off. Fauntleroy has no bike racks. The Vashon terminal has one rack for about 6–8 bikes. Point Defiance has two bike lockers (through Pierce Transit) but no racks. On the Water Taxi, bikes ride free and must be walked between the pier entrance and the boat. King County limits bikes to 73 inches long and 15 inches wide, and capacity is 18–26 bikes depending on the boat. Bags and trailers may need to come off. We couldn't find an official source for island road grades or shoulder widths, so we're not rating the riding. If you're unsure, start with a shorter loop.

What to see: well-documented stops

We only list places backed by King County or Wikipedia. Opening hours, events and access can change, so check before you go. We deliberately don't name restaurants, farms or wineries.

• Vashon town and the arts scene. Wikipedia calls the island an artists' community. On the first Friday of every month, a gallery walk opens the town's galleries, and the Vashon Center for the Arts and cafés stay open too. Island artists also run semi-annual studio tours. A First Friday visit means coming back after dark, so check your return sailing first.
• Vashon Heritage Museum. The main building is a 1907 Lutheran church. The heritage association bought it in 1998, opened its first permanent exhibit in 2006, and it became a King County Landmark in 2023 (Wikipedia). Check the museum's own hours before you plan around it.
• Point Robinson Lighthouse (Maury Island). It's on Point Robinson, the easternmost point of Maury Island. The current 38-foot tower dates to 1915 and is a twin of West Seattle's Alki Point Lighthouse. The light station is on the National Register of Historic Places. Wikipedia describes the site as a 10-acre shoreline park managed by Vashon Park District, and says the original Fresnel lens is still in the lantern room for visitors to see. We couldn't confirm current tour days, so treat the inside as a bonus and the beach and views as the plan.
• Maury Island Marine Park (King County). It covers 320 acres on the east side of Maury Island, with more than a mile of shoreline and views of the East Passage, Mount Rainier and the Cascades. King County lists about 3 miles of trail, plus a 0.75-mile gravel road down to the shoreline that's closed to motor vehicles. Parking and trail access are on SW 244th Street. The beach is at the bottom of that road, so save some energy for the walk back up. The park has rare stands of Pacific madrone, a salt marsh, and eelgrass beds.
• Dockton Park and Dockton Forest (King County). Dockton Park, at 9500 SW Dock Street on Quartermaster Harbor, has beach access, picnic areas, a public boat launch and marina, and a new ship-themed playground with improved ADA accessibility. There's also an 18-foot bell tower with the historic shipyard bell, and an interpretive walking trail into the old neighborhood. From 1892 to 1910, Dockton had the West Coast's largest shipbuilding dry dock. Day-use parking is on site. King County says the park is about a 12-minute (0.4-mile) walk from a route 119 stop. Across the road, Dockton Forest links to two natural areas, part of a 470-acre network with about 12 miles of soft-surface trails, including 3 miles of mountain-bike trails. King County lists dog walking and a portable toilet there.
• Burton and Quartermaster Harbor. Wikipedia describes Burton as a historic waterfront community on the isthmus between Inner and Outer Quartermaster Harbor. It's an easy stop on the way between town and Dockton.
• Fisher Pond. Wikipedia lists it as a 90-acre land and freshwater conservancy, the largest on the island. We couldn't confirm current public access details, so check locally.
• The "bike in the tree." Wikipedia describes a bicycle grown into the fork of a tree as a well-known local attraction, and the inspiration for Berkeley Breathed's Christmas book Red Ranger Came Calling. It notes the site has been vandalized. We don't give directions. If you go, be respectful.
• Point Defiance Park (Tacoma side). If you're using the south ferry, the Tacoma dock is inside a 760-acre park run by Metro Parks Tacoma. Wikipedia lists Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, gardens, beaches including Owen Beach, Five Mile Drive, Fort Nisqually, an off-leash dog park and about 400 acres of old-growth forest. It makes a good first or last stop.

The island's best-known event, the Strawberry Festival, is held every July (Wikipedia). Wikipedia says the Vashon Sheepdog Classic has been suspended indefinitely as of 2024, so don't plan around it.

Sample plans

Half day, car-free, weekday: Water Taxi out, WSF back

1. Take a morning Water Taxi from Pier 50 (about 22 minutes). Pay the one-way fare as you board. Kids 18 and under ride free.
2. Catch Metro 118 or 119 from the Vashon terminal into the island's center, or bring a bike (free on the Water Taxi).
3. Spend a couple of hours in town: galleries and the heritage museum, if it's open.
4. Head back to the north-end terminal. Either take a Water Taxi to Pier 50, or ride the WSF ferry to Fauntleroy, which is free leaving Vashon, and connect to RapidRide C Line toward downtown. Check the Water Taxi's last weekday sailing before you commit to the return.

Half day with a car from Seattle: lighthouse and back

1. Drive to Fauntleroy in the morning, check the cameras first, and buy a round-trip vehicle fare at the tollbooth.
2. From the Vashon terminal, head south, then east onto Maury Island, toward Point Robinson for the beach and lighthouse views.
3. Pick up lunch in town on the way back, then return from the north-end terminal. There's no tollbooth leaving Vashon.

Full day with a car: north to south "through" trip

1. Take the Fauntleroy ferry over early.
2. Stop in Vashon town, then Burton and Quartermaster Harbor.
3. Have a picnic at Dockton Park (playground and beach), with a short walk in Dockton Forest.
4. Spend the afternoon at Maury Island Marine Park or Point Robinson.
5. Leave from Tahlequah to Point Defiance, with no fare collected at Tahlequah. Take a sunset walk in Point Defiance Park, then drive home on I-5. Leaving from Tahlequah means no restroom or waiting room at the dock, so use the facilities before you get in line.

Full day from Tacoma: south door only

Start with a morning at Point Defiance Park, then take the Point Defiance boat over. Explore Dockton and Maury Island, which are the south half of the island, and return the same way. You pay once at Point Defiance.

Kids, pets and accessibility

• With a baby or toddler: the WSF and Water Taxi crossings are short, and kids ride free on both (WSF under 19, Water Taxi 18 and under). King County says strollers and luggage are welcome on the Water Taxi and must be stowed properly. Ask the crew if you need help. Dockton Park's playground is the easiest sourced kid stop. Our ferry with kids guide covers car-deck safety, strollers and what to pack.
• With a dog: WSF allows pets with leash and cabin rules (see WSDOT's pet page). The Water Taxi allows well-behaved leashed dogs and crated cats free. King County lists dog walking at Dockton Forest, and Point Defiance Park has an off-leash dog park. Rules can differ from park to park, so check the signs. Details are in our ferry with a dog or pet guide.
• Accessibility: WSDOT lists no overhead passenger loading and no elevator at Fauntleroy, Vashon, Point Defiance or Tahlequah. Tahlequah also has no restroom or waiting room. King County says the Water Taxi's docks, waiting areas and boats are accessible, and there's an ADA assistance call button in the Pier 50 waiting area. For vessel elevators, accessible parking requests and medical preferential loading, see our ferry accessibility guide and WSDOT's riders with disabilities page.

Day-trip checklist

• Decide which way you're going (Fauntleroy, Water Taxi or Point Defiance), and remember the Water Taxi is weekday-only this season.
• Check WSF travel alerts and the triangle's boat count that morning.
• If you're paying for WSF with a card, an ORCA card bought online avoids the 3% card fee.
• If you're walking on to Fauntleroy, plan a drop-off or the RapidRide C Line, since there's no lot.
• Look up Metro 118/119 times if you're going car-free. We couldn't verify current frequency.
• Pack food and water for park stops, because galley hours end in the early evening.
• Know your last boat home. This is our own suggestion, not WSF guidance, but it's the one that saves the day.

What we couldn't verify

We left these out or flagged them instead of guessing: WSF fare amounts (use the fare tool); Point Defiance–Tahlequah crossing time from a WSDOT page saved for this guide (see our route page); drive and bike times between island stops; road grades and shoulders for cycling; how often Metro 118/119 run and their weekend schedule; Point Robinson lighthouse tour days; public access to Fisher Pond and the bike in the tree; specific restaurants, farms, wineries and shops; and the 2027 Strawberry Festival dates. If you know an official source for any of these, the WSF and King County pages are where we'd confirm it.

Other day trips: Seattle–Bainbridge (walk-on), Seattle–Bremerton, Edmonds–Kingston, and the Mukilteo–Clinton Whidbey weekend.

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Sources

• WSDOT – Fauntleroy terminal page
• WSDOT – Vashon Island terminal page
• WSDOT – Point Defiance terminal page
• WSDOT – Tahlequah terminal page
• WSDOT – Ticket information
• WSDOT – Fares
• WSDOT – First-time riders
• WSDOT – Best times to travel on ferries
• WSDOT – Travel alert bulletins
• WSDOT – Pets
• King County – Water Taxi: Vashon Island to Seattle
• King County – Water Taxi overview (rider information)
• King County Parks – Dockton Park and Marina
• King County Parks – Maury Island Marine Park
• King County Parks – Dockton Forest
• Wikipedia – Vashon, Washington
• Wikipedia – Maury Island
• Wikipedia – Point Robinson Light
• Wikipedia – Burton, Washington
• Wikipedia – Dockton, Washington
• Wikipedia – Point Defiance Park

Independent guide, not affiliated with Washington State Ferries, WSDOT or King County. Schedules, fares, park access and rules change, so confirm on wsdot.wa.gov, kingcounty.gov or call WSF at 206-464-6400 before you travel. Last updated November 8, 2026.