WSDOT
Washington State Ferries Vehicle Reservations
Vehicle Reservations System

Overview

Vehicle reservations are a way to save a spot for your vehicle on the ferry. You can only make reservations for the Port Townsend/Coupeville and Anacortes/San Juan Islands routes. Reservations are currently available to book through December 26, 2026. Reservations for the winter sailing season will open in late October. 

Text message notifications ending: Starting Monday, July 20, our reservations system will no longer send text message notifications about vehicle reservations. We will only have email notifications moving forward. This is due to cell phone carriers ending email-to-text services. If you do not receive email notifications about your reservations, please reference your initial text confirmation or call our team at 206-464-6400 and we can add an email address to your reservation.  

What to know about vehicle reservations

    • A vehicle reservation does not count as a ticket. You’ll need to buy your tickets when you arrive at the terminal or online.
    • Arrive early for your reserved sailing. Plan to arrive at the terminal 30-45 minutes early for Port Townsend/Coupeville and 45-60 minutes early for Anacortes/San Juan Islands.
    • Vehicle reservations are available and strongly recommended for the Port Townsend/Coupeville and Anacortes/San Juan Islands routes. All other routes do not have reservations.
    • Reservations are only for vehicles. You do not need reservations for walk-on passengers or bicycles.
    • Vehicle reservations are for one-way trips. Remember to book for both your departure and return trips.
    • If you don’t make a reservation or can’t get your preferred time, there’s very limited stand-by space available on all sailings. You may have to wait for later sailings.
    • If you do not show up for your reservation, you will be charged a no-show fee. Otherwise, there is no cost to make a reservation. After March 1, 2026, no-show fees paid with a card will be subject to an additional 3% fee. 
    • If ferry service is disrupted, new reservations may not be available. People with existing reservations will be given priority.

Book a vehicle reservation now.

Reservation Release Dates

Vehicle reservations open up over time, typically four times a year. Availability varies by the route and the seasonal sailing schedule, which we update quarterly – in the fall, winter, spring, and summer.

Right now, you can book reservations through Dec. 26, 2026. Reservations for the winter sailing season will open in late October. 

On the Anacortes/San Juan Islands Routes

Because many people want to make reservations on this route and space is limited, we open vehicle reservations in three phases:

    • Two months before the season starts at 10 a.m. PT:
      • 30% of standard vehicle spaces are released
      • All 90% of tall, non-standard vehicle spaces (RVs, delivery trucks, etc.) are released
      • A virtual waiting room is in place to ensure a smooth and equitable experience during this high-demand time.
      • Note:  the fall 2025 reservations release date will be moved out one month to prepare for the launch of our updated ticketing and reservations system.
    • Two weeks before each sailing date at 7 a.m. PT:
      • Another 30% of standard vehicle spaces are released
    • Two days before each sailing date at 7 a.m. PT:
      • The last 30% of standard vehicle spaces are released

The last 10% of standard vehicle space is kept open for emergency and stand-by vehicles. More stand-by space may open up if there are no-shows or cancellations.

Important: There are no reservations for vehicles going from Shaw Island or Lopez Island (eastbound) to Anacortes. Vehicles from these terminals are loaded on a first-come, first-served basis.

On the Port Townsend/Coupeville Route
      • 2 months before the season start date at 10 a.m. PT:
        •  80% of the vehicle spaces are released
        • A virtual waiting room is in place to ensure a smooth and equitable experience during this high-demand time.

The last 20% of vehicle space is kept open for emergency and stand-by vehicles. More stand-by space may open up if there are no-shows or cancellations.
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