Kick off summer on the Water Taxi

ByAl Sanders
The Water Taxi Doc Maynard leaving Pier 50. The skyline of the Seattle Waterfront including the Great Wheel and the Space Needle is in the background

Cross posted from Captain’s Blog

Memorial Day is the “summer kickoff,” and what better way to celebrate the long weekend than with a trip to downtown Seattle from West Seattle or Vashon on the King County Water Taxi?

For the first time, there will be holiday service on Monday, Memorial Day, for Vashon water taxi service, with sailings on its regular weekday schedule. The West Seattle Water Taxi will sail its Sunday schedule on Memorial Day.

Pet and bike friendly traveling

The King County Water Taxi is pet and bike friendly.  Pet parents can bring a dog or cat on board, as long as your dog is on a leash and your cat is in a carrier. Planning a bike ride along the Seattle waterfront, a picnic at Alki Beach or a two-wheeled day trip to Vashon? Our vessels have bike racks that can hold “fat tire” and electric bikes, too.

Vashon and West Seattle offer several connections in downtown to extend your travels across the region via Metro and Sound Transit buses, Link 1 Line and Seattle Streetcar.

Through Oct. 11, the West Seattle Water Taxi offers late-night service on Friday and Saturday nights. Enjoy a sunset sail across Elliott Bay while admiring panoramic views of the Seattle city skyline, Mount Rainier and the Olympics.

Free shuttles to Seacrest Dock

Don’t forget, if you’re going to West Seattle, you can take the free Metro water taxi shuttles to and from the dock at Seacrest Park. Route 773 serves the West Seattle junction. Route 775  serves the Admiral District and Alki. When you ride to Vashon, Metro Routes 118 and 119 are a great way to move around the island.

And remember to mark your calendars for July 1, when the Water Taxi will begin midday service between Vashon and downtown Seattle.

Adult fares on the Water Taxis for West Seattle is $5.75 one way ($5 with an ORCA card). Vashon fares are  $6.75 ($5.75 with an ORCA card). Passengers with lower incomes, seniors and people with disabilities can apply for an ORCA LIFT card or Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) card using the Reduced Fare Portal.  Young people up to 18 years old can ride the Water Taxi, and most regional transit, for free!

Enjoy the summer – come join us on the Water Taxi!

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