GETTING TO ORCAS ISLAND

There are a number of different ways to get to Orcas, but they all involve a good amount of travel. If you're coming from the east coast, it will take most of the day to get to the island. We know this is quite a trek, and hope the information below will help you in planning your trip.

NEW!! found way to get from Seatac airport to Anacortes Ferry terminal by bus!! You take a bus and then walk on the boat and rent a car or share a car with a friend on the island. Good way to avoid ferry lines. check out the shuttle from Seatac-Anacortes/ San Juan Ferry.
http://www.airporter.com/shuttle/

Transportation to the Island
There are only two choices for getting to Orcas Island: by water or by air. Both methods of travel will be scenic; the primary difference is that travel by air will be faster and more expensive.

Option 1: Fly to Seattle, rent a car, and a take ferry to Orcas via Anacortes, WA
Getting from Seattle to Orcas via Anacortes will take about 6 hours: 2 hours by car from Seattle to Anacortes, 2 hours waiting in line for the ferry, 1.5 hours for the ferry ride, and 0.5 hours to drive from the ferry terminal to where you are staying.

1. Getting to Anacortes.
- From Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, get onto I-5 North (toward Seattle)
- Travel approximately 76 miles to exit 230 (Burlington/Anacortes exit)
- Turn left onto Highway WA-20 west and travel approximately 20 miles
- Follow signs to San Juan Ferry Terminal

2. Washington State Ferry
Here is a link to the online schedule.

The lines at the ferry during the summer are quite long, particularly Friday afternoon/evening, Sunday, and Monday morning. Foot passengers don't have to wait. If you're bringing your car, plan to arrive 2 to 3 hours early during the peak times. The ferry information line (1-888-808-7977) updates any changes to the published schedule.

3. Island Express Charters Departs from Anacortes Cap Sante Marina. Offers walk-on ferry service from Anacortes to Eastsound. Prices range from $32-$53 each way, depending on how many passengers book. Advance reservations are required. Call 1-877-473-9777.

4. Paraclete Water Taxi Departs from Anacortes Skyline Marina and offers ferry service direct to Eastsound. Advance reservations are required. Prices range from $34-55 each way. Call (800) 808-2999 or 360-293-5920.

Options 2: Fly to Seattle, then fly to Orcas on a seaplane.
A fantastic alternative to the ferry, the seaplane offers a much quicker trip to Orcas Island, and is a great way to avoid rush-hour traffic. The flight takes about an hour and twenty minutes.

1. Kenmore Air This is the most popular seaplane company. There are two options for flights to the Island, one leaves out of Boeing Field and is a small land plane into Eastsound, the other is a seaplane from Lake Union to either Westsound, Rosario Retreat, or Deer Harbor. Kenmore Air offers free shuttle service from Seattle's Airport to your departure point. Round trip from $180 - $220 per person.

2. Northwest Seaplanes Flights are available daily from Renton, located on the south shore of Lake Washington.

4. San Juan AirlinesSan Juan can book charter flights to Orcas directly from SeaTac at a cost of approx. $175.00 one way for 5 people. San Juan Air also flies out of Bellingham to Orcas (it�s a smaller airport and San Juan Air is located conveniently right next door). The main airlines that fly into Bellingham are Delta and Horizon.

Transportation on Orcas Island

A. Orcas Island Shuttle, Taxi, & Car Rental (360) 376-7433

B. Car Rental

M&W Auto Sales & Rentals Car rental is approximately $60 / day; call (800) 376-5266
IPS Car Rental Call for rates (866) 376-7368
Susie’s Mopeds & Car RentalsCar rental is approximately $100 / day; call (800) 532-0087

C. Taxi Service

Orcas Island Taxi