WA Ferry Tracker › Seattle Ferry Terminal (Colman Dock)
🔔 Free ferry alerts on WhatsApp| Address | 801 Alaskan Way, Pier 52, Seattle, WA 98104 (between Marion and Columbia streets) |
|---|---|
| Ferries | Bainbridge Island (about 35 minutes) and Bremerton (about 60 minutes) |
| Also here | Passenger-only ferry terminal used by the King County Water Taxi and Kitsap Fast Ferries |
| Reservations | None: Seattle routes are first come, first served |
| Operator | Washington State Ferries (WSDOT) |
About the terminal
Colman Dock is Washington State Ferries' Seattle terminal and one of the busiest ferry terminals in the system. It was rebuilt over several years; WSDOT says the major new pieces, including the entry building along Alaskan Way and the elevated pedestrian connector to ticketing and the passenger building, opened in summer 2023. The waiting area has more than 350 seats, and the boats on these routes carry roughly 1,500 to 2,500 passengers each.
Driving in
Cars enter from the two northbound lanes on Alaskan Way at Yesler Way; signs split traffic into the Bainbridge and Bremerton queues, and drivers pay or show tickets at the tollbooth before loading. From I-5, WSDOT's directions come in via Edgar Martinez Drive South, First Avenue South and South Dearborn Street, then north on Alaskan Way. The waterfront is congested, and WSDOT suggests allowing up to 30 extra minutes just to reach the dock. When you get off a boat, you can leave by the Yesler Way exit or the Marion Street exit (large trucks must use Yesler).
There are no vehicle reservations on the Seattle routes. On summer weekends and holiday getaway days, the Bainbridge line in particular can mean waiting for a later boat. WSF's general advice is to be in line at the tollbooth at least 20 minutes before your sailing, and much earlier on peak days. WSDOT's "best times to travel" chart and the terminal cameras are the best way to judge the line before you leave home.
Walking on
Walk-on passengers reach the terminal three ways: the Marion Street pedestrian bridge over Alaskan Way, one of three stairways from the entry building on Alaskan Way up to the elevated connector, or elevators. WSDOT lists two elevators: one in the entry building on Alaskan Way and one next to the passenger-only ferry terminal. Plan to arrive about 15 minutes before your sailing. WSDOT says the only time walk-on capacity gets close to full is during major events like playoff games, so most days you won't be turned away on foot.
Passenger fares on these routes are roundtrip and collected in Seattle, so you don't pay again coming back from Bainbridge or Bremerton. Children and youth under 19 ride free. Tickets can be bought online ahead of time, at the self-serve kiosks or at the staffed booth in the enclosed walkway; the staffed booth is the only place that takes cash.
Bikes
Bikes get priority loading and have their own holding lanes for each route. Bremerton cyclists go through the regular vehicle tollbooths; Bainbridge cyclists can use a dedicated bike entrance north of the Marion Street exit (staffed weekday afternoons) or ride through the main tollbooth to the bike lane. Follow the signs and stay in the bike lanes. Bicycles pay the roundtrip passenger fare (plus a bike fee for adults) on the Seattle side only.
Parking and drop-off
WSF doesn't run a parking lot for walk-ons at Colman Dock; WSDOT points to private garages and lots in Pioneer Square and along the waterfront. Passenger pick-up and drop-off is on Alaskan Way in front of the terminal. If you're coming from elsewhere in the region, transit to downtown and a short walk to Pier 52 is often easier than parking.
With a toddler or stroller
- Use the elevators: the one in the Alaskan Way entry building is the most direct way up to ticketing with a stroller.
- Kids under 19 ride free, but at turnstiles a youth may need a free youth ticket, so let the booth know you're travelling with children.
- With time to spare, the waterfront promenade outside is a good place to let little ones walk off energy before the boat, and the ferry itself has plenty of room to move around.
- If you're driving, toddlers can stay buckled in the car while you wait in the holding lanes; once aboard you can head up to the passenger deck.
Heading to the San Juan Islands instead?
Ferries to Friday Harbor, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw don't leave from Seattle. They leave from the Anacortes terminal, about 80 miles north (see our Anacortes terminal guide). Those routes do take vehicle reservations, and that's where WA Ferry Tracker helps: it shows live reservation space and sends a free WhatsApp alert when a sold-out sailing opens up. For Seattle's first-come routes, the tracker doesn't add much beyond what WSF's own alerts and cameras show.
FAQ
Where is the Seattle ferry terminal?
Colman Dock is at 801 Alaskan Way, Pier 52, on the downtown Seattle waterfront between Marion and Columbia streets.
Which ferries leave from Colman Dock?
Washington State Ferries to Bainbridge Island and Bremerton. The adjacent passenger-only terminal serves the King County Water Taxi and Kitsap Fast Ferries.
Do I need a reservation for the Seattle ferry?
No. The Seattle–Bainbridge and Seattle–Bremerton routes are first come, first served for vehicles, and walk-ons never need reservations.
How early should I get to Colman Dock?
Walk-ons should arrive about 15 minutes before the sailing. Drivers should be at the tollbooth at least 20 minutes early, more on summer weekends, and allow extra time for waterfront traffic.
Is there parking at the Seattle ferry terminal?
Not a WSF lot for walk-ons. Use private garages and lots in Pioneer Square or along the waterfront, or take transit downtown.
Sources
- WSDOT: Seattle terminal (Colman Dock) directions, tickets, bikes, parking
- WSDOT: First-time riders
- WSDOT: Ticket information
- WSDOT VesselWatch (live boats, terminal cameras)
- WSDOT: Best times to travel on ferries
Independent guide, not affiliated with Washington State Ferries or WSDOT. Schedules, fares and rules change by season, so confirm on wsdot.wa.gov before you travel. Last updated November 4, 2026.