Guides
How to ride Seattle's Bainbridge Island ferry walk-on with a bike
Bainbridge Island ferry walk-on bike trips start at WSF Colman Dock: ORCA fares, staging rules, and terminal connections for a car-free day.
What to take away
- A Bainbridge Island ferry walk-on bike trip starts at Colman Dock, where you pay an ORCA fare and stage with cyclists before loading.
- Walk-on passengers board before vehicle traffic; bikes load with the walk-on group, not the car deck.
- The crossing to Bainbridge takes about 35 minutes; the terminal drops you at the island's bus and trail network.
- Buses, bike lanes and sidewalks connect Bainbridge terminal to Winslow and beyond without a car.
- Check the current WSF schedule before you go; sailings change by season and day.
Colman Dock layout and how walk-on boarding actually works
Colman Dock sits on the Seattle waterfront at Pier 52. It is the main terminal for the Bainbridge Island run. The terminal has a pedestrian entrance on Alaskan Way and a vehicle entrance off Columbia Street. Walk-on passengers use the pedestrian side, not the car queue.
Inside, you go up to the passenger deck. That level has ticket machines, ORCA card readers, restrooms, and seating. The Bainbridge and Bremerton sailings share the same concourse, so watch the overhead signs and the gate numbers.
Boarding usually starts about 20 minutes before departure. Walk-on passengers and cyclists are called first. You scan or show your fare at the gate, then walk down the ramp to the vessel. Cars load later, from the lower deck.
If you are new to the system, the first-time rider guidance explains the difference between walk-on and drive-on boarding. It also covers how to read the gate screens and where to wait. For a full rundown of terminal procedures, see the WSF rider information page.
The full Bainbridge Island ferry walk-on routine is straightforward once you have done it once.
Here is the walk-on sequence in plain steps:
- Arrive at Colman Dock 20 to 30 minutes before your sailing.
- Enter through the pedestrian entrance on Alaskan Way and go to the passenger deck.
- Pay with ORCA or buy a ticket at the machine.
- Wait near the Bainbridge gate shown on the screens.
- When walk-ons are called, scan through the gate and follow the ramp to the vessel.
- On arrival at Bainbridge, walk off with the other foot passengers.
That routine holds for most sailings. Holiday weekends and summer afternoons bring bigger walk-on crowds, so give yourself extra time.
ORCA fares and ticket types for a Bainbridge Island walk-on trip
Washington State Ferries charges walk-on passengers a one-way fare. Bicycles travel free with a walk-on passenger on the Bainbridge run. You do not buy a separate bike ticket.
You can pay with an ORCA card, the ORCA app, or a ticket from the terminal machine. ORCA is the regional smart card used across Puget Sound. Tapping your ORCA card at the gate is the fastest option. The card also works on King County Metro and Kitsap Transit buses, which matters for the island end of the trip.
Fares are set by the Washington State Transportation Commission and reviewed over time. Rather than quote a figure that may change, check the current fare table before you travel. The WSF fare page lists walk-on, senior, youth, and disability rates, plus any surcharge periods.
Children under a certain age ride free with an adult. Seniors and passengers with disabilities pay a reduced walk-on fare. If you use a Regional Reduced Fare Permit, it loads onto your ORCA card and applies at the ferry gate.
A round trip is two one-way fares. There is no discount for buying both directions at once on this route. If you plan several ferry trips in a day, the ORCA card still works because each tap is a separate fare.
For a broader look at what a car-free ferry day costs, including food and transit, see our notes on walk-on ferry costs.
Bike staging rules at Colman Dock and on the Bainbridge run
Bikes are welcome on the Bainbridge run, but they follow walk-on rules, not vehicle rules. You walk your bike through the pedestrian path and onto the vessel with the foot passengers.
At Colman Dock, bike staging happens near the walk-on waiting area. Signs and staff direct cyclists to one side so the gate does not clog. Keep your bike with you until boarding is called. Do not ride it inside the terminal.
On board, you park your bike in the designated area on the passenger deck or on the car deck if crew direct you there. Most cyclists use the racks near the stern. Bring a light lock if you plan to leave the bike while you sit inside. The crossing is short, but the vessel can be crowded.
A few rules matter:
- Walk your bike in the terminal and on the ramps.
- Board with the walk-on group, not the vehicle queue.
- Use the bike racks or the area crew assigns.
- Keep aisles and stairways clear.
- Take your bike with you when you leave the vessel.
- Do not ride on the car deck.
Electric bikes are allowed under the same walk-on rules. Cargo bikes and trailers can be awkward on the ramps, so arrive early and ask staff where to stage. Folding bikes are the easiest option because you can carry them aboard and stow them like luggage.
Cycling is a major part of walk-on ferry travel in the region. National data on bicycle and pedestrian travel shows how many trips are made without a car, which is why bike staging gets its own space at busy terminals.
If you need step-free routing or other accommodations, our piece on accessible walk-on ferry routes covers what to ask for at the gate.
What to expect on the crossing and at Bainbridge terminal
The Seattle to Bainbridge crossing takes about 35 minutes. Vessels on this route are large, with indoor seating, restrooms, and a galley. You can sit inside, stand on the outer deck, or stay near your bike.
Departures run frequently through the day, roughly every hour or better at peak times. Early morning and late evening sailings are less crowded. Summer weekends are the busiest, especially midday. Check the current WSF schedule for exact departure times on your date, because the timetable changes by season.
On arrival, walk-on passengers and cyclists leave first. The Bainbridge terminal is at the end of Olympic Drive, a short walk from Winslow. The walk into town takes about 10 minutes. Sidewalks and a multi-use path connect the terminal to the waterfront.
Bainbridge terminal has restrooms, a waiting room, and ticket machines. It is smaller than Colman Dock but easy to get around. If you arrive on a late sailing, check the return times before you leave the terminal, since service thins out in the evening.
Weather matters. Puget Sound can be windy and wet even in summer. A light rain jacket and gloves make the deck enjoyable. NOAA tide and current information is useful if you plan to combine the ferry with a longer ride along the shore.
Connections onward from Bainbridge: buses, bikes and walking
Bainbridge terminal connections are simple. Kitsap Transit runs buses from the terminal to points around the island and to the Kitsap Peninsula. Route 333 serves the immediate area, and other routes connect to Poulsbo and Kingston. Buses meet most sailings, but not every one, so check the schedule.
Cyclists have good options. From the terminal, you can ride into Winslow for coffee, then continue on island roads toward Bainbridge Gardens or the Grand Forest. The island has quiet rural roads and a few hills. A short loop to Fay Bainbridge Park is popular and takes in the shoreline.
Walking is easy for the first mile. Winslow has shops, restaurants, and a grocery store. The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art sits near the terminal. A waterfront trail heads north from town.
If you want to link more ferry routes into your trip, the region's walk-on network reaches Bremerton, Vashon, and the San Juan Islands. Each route has its own terminal layout and fare rules, so plan connections in advance.
Before any trip, pack for the weather and the wait. Our walk-on ferry routes packing list covers the small items that make a difference, from a bike lock to a charged ORCA card.
Common questions
Do I need a reservation for a walk-on bike trip to Bainbridge? No. Walk-on passengers and cyclists are not reserved on the Bainbridge run. You arrive, pay, and board the next sailing with space.
Can I bring my bike on the Bainbridge ferry for free? Yes. Bicycles travel free with a walk-on passenger. You do not buy a separate bike ticket.
Where do I stage my bike at Colman Dock? Follow signs to the walk-on waiting area. Staff direct cyclists to one side near the gate. Keep your bike with you until boarding is called.
How long is the Bainbridge crossing? About 35 minutes from Colman Dock to Bainbridge terminal. Boarding and unloading add time on each end.
What buses connect at Bainbridge terminal? Kitsap Transit buses serve the terminal, including routes to Winslow, Poulsbo, and Kingston. Check the current schedule because not every bus meets every sailing.
Can I use ORCA on both the ferry and the bus? Yes. ORCA works on Washington State Ferries and on Kitsap Transit and King County Metro buses, so one card covers the whole trip.
