Bainbridge Island

The Bainbridge Island Ferry links the island to the Seattle waterfront, and it’s well worth the price of admission just for gorgeous views of the Puget Sound. If you’re sticking to the shops, cafés, and attractions in Winslow—which include the Bainbridge Museum of Art, the Bainbridge Historical Museum, and the Fletcher Bay Winery—it’s best to explore on foot, saving the hassle and expense of taking a car across on the ferry.

To go farther afield, bring a car, ride the bus, or rent a bike in town; the island’s mostly flat terrain makes it easy to explore on two wheels. Guided tours of Bainbridge Island’s hiking trails, wineries, and parks are a convenient alternative, with some options that include door-to-door transport from hotels in the Seattle area.

• All passengers must purchase ferry tickets from Seattle to Bainbridge; only cars need tickets for the return trip from Bainbridge to Seattle.

• Bicycles are permitted on the Bainbridge Island Ferry.

• While sporting events and holidays can mean crowded ferries, there’s almost always room for walk-on passengers.

Getting to Bainbridge Island is easy. It’s a 35-minute trip from the Colman Dock on the Seattle waterfront to the town of Winslow via the Bainbridge Island Ferry. Ferries leave approximately once an hour from each side and are first-come, first-served. There is no ferry-specific parking at Colman Dock, but many parking garages are located nearby.

While Bainbridge Island is a top tourist attraction near Seattle, it’s also a bedroom community that can get caught up in the city’s commuting hours. The busiest times on the ferry are during morning crossings from Bainbridge to Seattle and late-afternoon trips from Seattle to Bainbridge. For fabulous views of the Olympic Mountain range lit by evening light, time your return trip to Seattle for sunset.

With 150 acres (61 hectares) of formal gardens, water features, a moss garden, and much more, Bloedel Reserve is among Bainbridge Island’s most popular destinations. The gardens are 6 miles (9.5 kilometers) north of the Winslow Ferry terminal; while many visitors go by car, there’s also a public bus that leaves directly from the ferry.

Yes, it’s certainly possible to explore Bainbridge Island without a car. Much of the island is walkable, and if you want to explore further than your feet will carry you, bicycles are available to rent. Most of the shops and restaurants are within a 15-minute walk of the ferry terminal.

Bainbridge Island is a beautiful island that’s just a 35-minute ferry ride from Seattle, meaning it’s a good day-trip destination. It’s small and can be navigated by foot or bicycle. Many travelers like to visit to explore the hiking trails, scenic landscape, restaurants and shops, wineries, and local arts scene.

There are two main walking trails on Bainbridge Island, which provide a good overview of the island’s attractions: the 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) Western Loop and the 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) Eastern Loop. Both trails typically take around an hour to complete, depending on how many stops you make along the way.

The ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island takes about 35 minutes. You can take your car on the ferry or just go on foot. There are great views of the Seattle skyline and Puget Sound. Alternatively, you can drive to the island from the Kitsap Peninsula, over the Agate Passage Bridge.

Yes and no: The Bainbridge Island ferry is free for foot passengers traveling from Bainbridge Island to Seattle, but you’ll need a paid ticket to travel in the other direction, from Seattle to Bainbridge Island. Travelers taking their vehicles on the ferry need to pay when traveling in both directions.

Yes, Bainbridge Island is definitely worth visiting if you want an escape from the bustle of Seattle. It’s an easy day-trip destination by car or ferry, and you don’t even need to drive because you can travel as a foot passenger on the ferry and then walk or cycle around.