For Alaska Ferry, BC Ferries or Seattle Victoria ferry booking help call:
1-800-686-0446
info@ferrytravel.com
1-800-686-0446
info@ferrytravel.com
Bellingham Ferry Routes and Fares
The Alaska ferries' most southern port is Bellingham Washington. Bellingham is located about 90 miles north of Seattle in Whatcom County and is about a 40 minute drive south from Vancouver BC. The Alaska ferry travels Alaskas' Inside Passage from Bellingham up to 2x a times a week, year-round.
The Wednesday ferry from Bellingham to Alaska (historically operating from Oct through April) stops 1st in the port of Ketchikan, then travels up the Inside Passage stopping to drop off & pick-up ferry passengers in each Island port including Wrangell AK, Sitka AK, Petersburg AK, Juneau AK, and Haines AK on the way to Skagway.
Skagway is the last stop on the Inside Passage, but Haines Alaska is where passengers travelling on to Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks etc disembark to drive the AlCan Hwy. From Haines to Anchorage, the AlCan Hwy passes through Canada - so to continue into Alaska, everyone over 18 yrs must have a valid passport. All vehicles headed to Anchorage in 2024 must pass through Canada. The only alternative, and it is a popular one for the military PCSing and seasonal workers, is to send their vehicles by barge from Seattle.
In Skagway, the ferry turns around and heads south back to Bellingham stopping at each port along the Inside Passage in
reverse order.
The ferry spends longer in some ports than in others depending on how many passengers / vehicles are loading &
unloading. Tide changes also affect time spent in some ports..
Anchorage is not served by ferries : Anchorage is served by barges & cruise ships
Quick Ferry Facts:
- The Bellingham ferry to Alaska carries both foot passengers and vehicles.
- The Alaska ferry from Bellingham currently sails 1x a week & can accommodate a max vehicle length of 70' feet & a height of 13'.
- The 1st stop for ferries to Alaska from Washington is Ketchikan.
- Ketchikan Alaska from Bellingham is a 2 day ferry trip.
- Taking the ferry from Bellingham to Haines on the way to Anchorage Alaska involves entry into Canada so passports are absolutely required.
- Avoid travelling thru Canada by taking the seasonal April to September ferry from Bellingham to Whittier Alaska, or by using a barge from Seattle to Alaska.
- The Bellingham ferry to Friday Harbor & Victoria was discontinued in 2011.
- The closest ferry service from Bellingham to Victoria is thru Vancouver BC - about 40 minutes North on I-5.
- There are currently no ferries travelling between Bellingham & Victoria.
- There is no Bellingham ferry to Seattle; no Bellingham ferry to Vancouver and no Bellingham ferry to Victoria.
- There is however a great ferry and whale watching cruise from Bellingham to the San Juan Islands
- Reservations for the Bellingham ferry to Alaska must be made well in advance to ensure securing space.
- Common Ferry Questions:
Travel Times for the Ferry to Alaska
A quick guide to the ferry travel times notes the Bellingham ferry to Ketchikan taking 2 days or about 36 hours, while the Bellingham
ferry to Juneau, Haines and Skagway takes about 3 days.
The Saturday sailing sees the ferry travelling from Bellingham to Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg and then Juneau. Juneau is where the ferry turns to cross the gulf to Whittier.
The Bellingham to Whittier ferry completely eliminates travelling through Canada & takes about 5 days. The ferry delivers passengers within a 90 minute drive to Anchorage.
General Bellingham Information For Travellers : Land - Sea - Air Links
Info for RVs /
Campers:
Travelling to Alaska by ferry
Border
Requirements:
Bellingham to Alaska by ferry
Car Rentals:
Avis is located at both the Bellingham - Alaska ferry terminal & at the Bellingham airport
Airporter Shuttle:
Daily coach service providing frequent scheduled trips to/from downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport
Whale Watching:
Dedicated to responsible wildlife viewing, this 6hr narrated tour uses certified coast guard vessels and operates
May through September.
Located just 30 minutes south of the US - Canada Peace Arch Border Crossing and 90 minutes north of Seattle, Bellingham is a wonderful place to visit even if not catching a ferry to Alaska. Challenging golf courses, antique shops, galleries, great shopping, fabulous hotels, Inns and B&Bs, all contribute to make scheduling extra time in Bellingham worthwhile.
Amongst the more popular lodgings found in Bellingham is the luxurious Hotel Bellwether, the Semiahmoo Golf Resort & the Lakeway Inn. Bellingham also offers visitors both B&B options and RV parks. Look at The Cedars RV Resort and the Bellingham RV park.
Bellingham ferry route map
The Bellingham ferry route map shows the course followed by the Alaska State ferries.
The route travels from the most southern ferry port located in Bellingham Washington and travels up the Inside Passage through the Islands of Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg and Sitka to Juneau. Juneau is the state capital.
From Juneau the ferry continues north to Haines and finally Skagway before turning around and heading south back to Bellingham.
During the May through September summer season, the Bellingham ferry to Whittier will travel through Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg and Sitka before arriving in Juneau where it will cross the gulf to Whittier on alternate Saturdays.
This ferry will bypass Canada and deliver passengers within 90 minutes of Anchorage.
Ferry routes from Bellingham to Alaska
The Alaska ferry from Bellingham departs every week, year-round.
The trip is extremely popular and advance reservations are essential if one is to secure vehicle or cabin space.
During the summer season (April thru September) an extra sailing is added every other Wednesday from Bellingham to Whittier.
The Alaska ferry Bellingham fares vary depending on the components of the booking. During the summer season (May - September) dynamic pricing is in effect. Dynamic pricing means that as space on any sailing decreases, the fares increase.
Fares for the ferry to Alaska are calculated on the vehicle length; the number of travellers in any vehicle & whether a cabin is desired. (cabins are optional and passengers can also sleep in any if the recliner chairs in the lounges or even pitch a tent on the aft deck).
The ferry fares into Alaska will always depend on where in Alaska the passengers from Bellingham are travelling to.
The car ferry from Bellingham to Alaska can carry vehicles up to 70 feet long and 13 feet high.
| Bellingham Ferry Routes | Bellingham Lodging |
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Alaska Fare Help: To allow maximum flexibility in trip
planning, Alaska Marine calculates passenger, cabin and vehicle fares separately
(Cabin space - i.e. 2 berth, 3 berth etc is sold as a unit)
If having difficulty with your reservation email: reservations@ferrytravel.com with your details
(Cabin space - i.e. 2 berth, 3 berth etc is sold as a unit)
If having difficulty with your reservation email: reservations@ferrytravel.com with your details
Ferry to Anchorage from Bellingham
There is no ferry from Bellingham to Anchorage Alaska. Anchorage is not a ferry port.
Only barges & cruise ships travel from Washington to Anchorage.
Barges from Washington to Anchorage travel every Tuesday, year-round & only take vehicles. Barges do not take passengers.
Passengers sending their vehicles to Anchorage from Seattle, can usually get a reasonably priced flight on Alaska Airlines from SeaTac International airport. Early morning flight usually provide the greatest cost saving.
SeaTac Airport is about 15 minutes by Uber or taxi from the barge terminal in Seattle.
From Seattle to Anchorage by barge takes approximately 2 weeks.
Ferry Bellingham to Haines
The car ferry from Bellingham to Haines departs every week, year-round.
The trip is 3 days and the cost will depend on the vehicle length, the number of passengers in the travelling party and on whether a cabin is or is not chosen - (cabins are optional).
Passengers on the ferry from Bellingham who are headed to Anchorage must pass through Canada so current passports are essential.
Ferry from Bellingham WA to Juneau
The Alaska ferry from Bellingham to Juneau travels year-round and the trip takes approximately 35 hours.
In the summer, the Alaska ferry travelling from Bellingham to Juneau takes 3 days and starting in Bellingham travels 1st to Ketchikan, then continues on from Ketchikan to stop in Wrangell, then Sitka, then Petersburg and arrives in Juneau 3 days later. All those ports are Islands so ferries & planes are the only way on & off.
From Juneau the ferry either continues north to Haines and Skagway, or travels across the Gulf to Whittier.
From April through September travellers can ferry from Bellingham to Whittier. The ferry from Bellingham WA to Whitter AK avoids Canada so passports are not required for that route.
Ferry from Bellingham WA to Whittier AK
The ferry from Bellingham to Ketchikan departs every week, year-round and takes approximately 36 hours.
In the summer season from May through September, there are are 2 ferries travelilng from Bellingham to Ketchikan.
Ketchikan is the 1st stop for the Bellingham ferries travelling up the Inside Passage as far as Skagway and for the ferry crossing the gulf to Whittier.
Historically the ferry from Bellingham to Ketchikan will depart every Wednesday and will travel to north to Skagway. The ferry from Bellingham to Whittier will depart on alternate Saturdays.
The Bellingham to Whittier ferry cost is the most expensive in the ferry system because the trip takes 5 days.
Demand for the Bellingham to Whittier ferry is always high and space sells out very early because the ferry route bypasses Canada and takes travellers to within 90 minutes of Anchorage.
Most military personal headed to bases in Anchorage or Fairbanks will take either the Bellingham to Whittier ferry or will barge their vehicles directly into Anchorage and fly from SeaTac.
Ferry from Bellingham to Ketchikan
If taking the Ketchikan to Bellingham ferry with a car, the cost will depend on the vehicle length; the number of passengers in the car ,and whether a cabin for the trip is desired (cabins are optional).
The Ketchikan ferry to Bellingham departs every week, year-round and the trip is approximately 36 hours long.
Bellingham ferry to San Juan Islands
It is not possible to book a ferry from Bellingham to San Juan Island as there is no longer any ferry between the two cities. Ferries from Bellingham to the San Juans stopped service about 10 years ago.
To travel from Bellingham to the San Juan Islands one would drive approximately 40 miles south o the I-5 and State Rte 20 W to Anacortes.
From Anacortes there are daily ferry sailings to the San Juan Islands.
Ferry from Bellingham to Seattle
There is no transportation from Bellingham to Seattle via ferry, however both Amtrak and public buses offer an alternative for travellers without a vehicle.
For travellers with a vehicle, Seattle is about 90 miles south of Bellingham. The drive to Seattle takes about 1-1/2 hrs on the I-5 S from Bellingham.
Bellingham ferry service
The Bellingham ferry to Alaska cost varies depending on both the components of the trip, and where in Alaska one is travelling to.
The cost to ferry to Alaska is based on the number of people travelling, the length of the vehicle being taken, and the cabin type chosen (cabins are optional). If travelling to Alaska with an RV or Camper pulling a trailer, enter 1 vehicle into the quote engine. On the 2nd page choose passenger vehicle & trailer.
During the high season summer months of May-September, the State of Alaska implements dynamic pricing on the ferries.
Dynamic or staircase pricing means that the Bellingham ferry to Alaska cost may rise as space on any sailing declines.
Because of this summer season cost structure, it is important to book as early as possible to get the lowest Bellingham ferry to Alaska cost.
Schedule
Directions & Parking
Bellingham Cruise Terminal/Ferry Terminal Long Term Parking
425 Harris Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225, United States
Fairhaven Station
401 Harris Ave #225, Bellingham, WA 98225, United States
FAQ (Common Facts, Answers Questions)
There are 2 year-round ferries travelling every day from Washington to Victoria BC on
Vancouver Island.
A traditional passenger/vehicle ferry travels from Port Angeles WA to Victoria BC.
And every day there is a high-speed passenger-only ferry from Seattle Washington to Victoria BC.
A traditional passenger/vehicle ferry travels from Port Angeles WA to Victoria BC.
And every day there is a high-speed passenger-only ferry from Seattle Washington to Victoria BC.
There are no ferries from Bellingham to Canada.
The fastest way to get a ferry from Bellingham to Canada is to drive the I-5N to the Peach Arch border crossing (25 minutes) and then take the BC-99 N Hwy to Tsawwassen.
There is BC ferry to Victoria 2 hrs, evert day, year round.
The fastest way to get a ferry from Bellingham to Canada is to drive the I-5N to the Peach Arch border crossing (25 minutes) and then take the BC-99 N Hwy to Tsawwassen.
There is BC ferry to Victoria 2 hrs, evert day, year round.
To get from Bellingham to Victoria which is located on Vancouver Island, you need to
drive the 1-5 N to Tsawwassen near Vancouver (approx a 40 minute drive ) and then catch
the BC ferry to Vancouver Island.
The BC ferry departs every 2 hours from Tsawwassen to Victoria every day, year-round.
There is no ferry service from Bellingham Washington to Victoria on Vancouver Island.
The BC ferry departs every 2 hours from Tsawwassen to Victoria every day, year-round.
There is no ferry service from Bellingham Washington to Victoria on Vancouver Island.
There is no ferry from Bellingham Washington to Victoria.
Victoria is located on the souther tip of Vancouver Island.
Passenger/vehicle ferries to Victoria operate from Tsawwassen; and from Port Angeles. A passenger-only ferry ( no vehicles) travels from Seattle to Victoria.
Victoria is located on the souther tip of Vancouver Island.
Passenger/vehicle ferries to Victoria operate from Tsawwassen; and from Port Angeles. A passenger-only ferry ( no vehicles) travels from Seattle to Victoria.
There is no ferry from Point Roberts to Bellingham WA.
Point Roberts WA is an anomaly located at the tip of a small peninsula that is bisected by the international US-Canada border.
It can be accessed by air or through British Columbia, by land.
Point Roberts WA is an anomaly located at the tip of a small peninsula that is bisected by the international US-Canada border.
It can be accessed by air or through British Columbia, by land.
The 1st stop for the ferry from Bellingham to Alaska is the island of Ketchikan.
The travel time for the ferry to Ketchikan from Bellingham is a little over 15 hrs.
Reservations for this trip are mandatory because that same ferry travelling from Bellingham to Ketchikan travels all the way up the Inside Passage so will continue north with passengers travelling from Bellingham to Wrangell (31 hrs); then with passengers travelling from Bellingham to Sitka (39-1/2hrs); and again, with passengers who are boarding the ferry from Bellingham to Petersburg (2 days 5 yrs).
From Petersburg the ferry travels to Juneau, then Haines & finally to Skagway where the ferry turns around and travels south back from Alaska to Washington doing the same route in reverse.
The travel time for the ferry to Ketchikan from Bellingham is a little over 15 hrs.
Reservations for this trip are mandatory because that same ferry travelling from Bellingham to Ketchikan travels all the way up the Inside Passage so will continue north with passengers travelling from Bellingham to Wrangell (31 hrs); then with passengers travelling from Bellingham to Sitka (39-1/2hrs); and again, with passengers who are boarding the ferry from Bellingham to Petersburg (2 days 5 yrs).
From Petersburg the ferry travels to Juneau, then Haines & finally to Skagway where the ferry turns around and travels south back from Alaska to Washington doing the same route in reverse.
There is no ferry service between Bellingham & the San Juan Islands. The San Juan Island
can be accessed either by air or the ferry from Anacortes.
From Anacortes from Bellingham take the I-5 S & State Rte 20 W
From Anacortes from Bellingham take the I-5 S & State Rte 20 W
There is no car ferry between Seattle & Victoria.
The Seattle to Victoria route is served by a high-speed passenger only ferry.
Reservations are essential as the ship which operates only once per day in each direction is popular & and space sells out quickly Booking the Seattle Victoria ferry can be done quickly, safely and easily on www.ferrytravel.com.
Stay on the Home Page and use the Get Quote Here widget to get the lowest refundable cost (getting the cost DOES NOT) commit you to a reservation.
If however you decide to make a reservation simply hit the Click Here To Book button at the bottom right of the cost page.
The Seattle to Victoria route is served by a high-speed passenger only ferry.
Reservations are essential as the ship which operates only once per day in each direction is popular & and space sells out quickly Booking the Seattle Victoria ferry can be done quickly, safely and easily on www.ferrytravel.com.
Stay on the Home Page and use the Get Quote Here widget to get the lowest refundable cost (getting the cost DOES NOT) commit you to a reservation.
If however you decide to make a reservation simply hit the Click Here To Book button at the bottom right of the cost page.
There is no longer any ferry service from Bellingham to Friday Harbor.
Friday Harbor can be accessed by ferry from Anacortes.
Anacortes is about 45 minutes from Bellingham: take the I-5 S and State Rte 20 W.
Friday Harbor can be accessed by ferry from Anacortes.
Anacortes is about 45 minutes from Bellingham: take the I-5 S and State Rte 20 W.
There are no ferries from Washington to Vancouver as it is only a relatively short drive
From Washington to Vancouver take the 1-5 N Hwy.
The drive will take a little over an hour from Bellingham WA.
The drive will take a little over an hour from Bellingham WA.
There are 2 ferry services from Washington to Victoria.
The daily ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria is a passenger-vehicle ferry, and a high-speed passenger-only ferry departs daily from Seattle Washington to Victoria.
The daily ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria is a passenger-vehicle ferry, and a high-speed passenger-only ferry departs daily from Seattle Washington to Victoria.
There is a passenger-vehicle ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria on Vancouver
Island and a high-speed passenger-only ferry from Seattle Washington to Victoria BC.
No vehicles can travel on the only ferry operating between Seattle & Victoria. The Seattle
ferry to Victoria is for passengers only.
It is a high-speed catamaran that travels Seattle to Victoria in just under 3 hours.
To take a vehicle from Washington to Victoria on Vancouver Island, you need to depart from either Vancouver BC or from Port Angeles WA.
It takes 1hr-30 minutes for the vehicle ferries to travel to Victoria.
It is a high-speed catamaran that travels Seattle to Victoria in just under 3 hours.
To take a vehicle from Washington to Victoria on Vancouver Island, you need to depart from either Vancouver BC or from Port Angeles WA.
It takes 1hr-30 minutes for the vehicle ferries to travel to Victoria.
No. Coast Guard regulations do not allow passengers to stay on the car deck when any vessel
is underway.
You can rent a 2 or 4 berth cabin, or sleep in one of the ferry lounges.
Some passengers pitch tents in the covered solarium on one of the upper decks.
You can rent a 2 or 4 berth cabin, or sleep in one of the ferry lounges.
Some passengers pitch tents in the covered solarium on one of the upper decks.
The cost to take the ferry from Bellingham to Whittier depends on the components of your
trip.
How many people are travelling? Is there a vehicle & if yes, how long is it? Are pets travelling and if yes, how many?
Is a cabin desired (they are optional) & if yes, what type?
All these choices are costed separately.
To determine the price go to www.ferrytravel.com; start on the Home Page with the Get Quote Here engine.
(Getting a quote does not commit you to a booking but will deliver the current price of the trip depending on what info is entered).
That quote engine will automatically adjust the fare for seniors & children before delivering the cost.
Be aware that dynamic pricing, which means that as the sailing fills the price goes up, may be in effect.
This plus the popularity of the Alaska ferries make it is essential to book early to get the lowest pricing.
How many people are travelling? Is there a vehicle & if yes, how long is it? Are pets travelling and if yes, how many?
Is a cabin desired (they are optional) & if yes, what type?
All these choices are costed separately.
To determine the price go to www.ferrytravel.com; start on the Home Page with the Get Quote Here engine.
(Getting a quote does not commit you to a booking but will deliver the current price of the trip depending on what info is entered).
That quote engine will automatically adjust the fare for seniors & children before delivering the cost.
Be aware that dynamic pricing, which means that as the sailing fills the price goes up, may be in effect.
This plus the popularity of the Alaska ferries make it is essential to book early to get the lowest pricing.
Yes there are senior rates on Alaska ferries.
On www.ferrytravel.com both the senior rate & child rate are automatically applied to every quote & booking for everyone entering an age of 65 yrs & older or for children under 12.
On www.ferrytravel.com both the senior rate & child rate are automatically applied to every quote & booking for everyone entering an age of 65 yrs & older or for children under 12.
To get from Bellingham to Canada you would take I-5N to the Peach Arch at the Douglas border
crossing (25 minutes).
From there the drive to downtown Vancouver BC in Canada is about an hour. There are no ferries from Bellingham to Canada.
From there the drive to downtown Vancouver BC in Canada is about an hour. There are no ferries from Bellingham to Canada.
Ferries do not operate between Seattle and Vancouver.
To get to Vancouver from Seattle with a vehicle one would take the I-5N.
The drivings distance is about 143 miles or about 12-1/2 hrs.
Ferries operate between Seattle & Victoria; Port Angeles & Victoria and Vancouver & Victoria.
All ferry information can be found from the Home Page on www.ferrytravel.com
To get to Vancouver from Seattle with a vehicle one would take the I-5N.
The drivings distance is about 143 miles or about 12-1/2 hrs.
Ferries operate between Seattle & Victoria; Port Angeles & Victoria and Vancouver & Victoria.
All ferry information can be found from the Home Page on www.ferrytravel.com
Yes current passports are required to cross any border.
To go from Washington to Canada everyone over 18 yrs requires a passport.
Be aware that Canada does not allow hand guns, auto or semi automatic weapons and convicted DUIs are considered felons.
To go from Washington to Canada everyone over 18 yrs requires a passport.
Be aware that Canada does not allow hand guns, auto or semi automatic weapons and convicted DUIs are considered felons.
Ferries do not operate between Seattle and Vancouver as the drive is only about 2-1/2 hrs.
To drive to Vancouver from Seattle with a vehicle one would take the I-5N. The drivings distance is about 143 miles.
Ferries operate between Seattle & Victoria on Vancouver Island; between Port Angeles & Victoria and from Vancouver to Victoria.
All ferry information can be found from the Home Page on www.ferrytravel.com
To drive to Vancouver from Seattle with a vehicle one would take the I-5N. The drivings distance is about 143 miles.
Ferries operate between Seattle & Victoria on Vancouver Island; between Port Angeles & Victoria and from Vancouver to Victoria.
All ferry information can be found from the Home Page on www.ferrytravel.com
There are no ferries from Seattle to Port Angeles.
To get from Seattle to Port Angeles which is located at the bottom of the Olympic peninsula takes about 2-1/2 hrs via WA-305 & US -101 N
To get from Seattle to Port Angeles which is located at the bottom of the Olympic peninsula takes about 2-1/2 hrs via WA-305 & US -101 N
There is no ferry from Seattle to Port Angeles.
Port Angeles is a 138 mile drive which takes about 2-1/2 hrs via WA-305 & US -101 N
Port Angeles is a 138 mile drive which takes about 2-1/2 hrs via WA-305 & US -101 N
Amtrak runs from Vancouver to Bellingham in close to 2 hrs.
Ferries to Victoria run year-round from both the Tsawwassen terminal
(closest to the US/Canada border) & from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver.
The Blackball ferry - aka the MV Coho - operates a daily year-round service between Port
Angeles &Victoria.
It is a traditional passenger-vehicle ferry.
It is a traditional passenger-vehicle ferry.
Canadians are able to buy property in Point Roberts Washington.