now that we are t minus 2 months away from the big weekend and the formal invitations are on their way, it’s time for some full on wedding planning. a few folks have asked: what’s the best way to get up to Orcas?
while we’re certainly not experts on the subject, we did visit the island last weekend and took the following notes for your perusal. outside of riding a bicycle (which in rich's perspective is the best way, of course!), there are four good ways to get to Orcas. below are options for people flying into SeaTac airport with some cost information. locals and near-locals can modify the details accordingly.
1. drive to Anacortes Ferry Terminal-->drive onto ferry-->drive while on Orcas
[$43 for for ferry ride (car & driver) + $13/additional passengers, rental car fee + gas $$]
2. drive to Anacortes Ferry Terminal and park-->walk onto ferry-->walk/carpool/taxi/rent a car while on Orcas
[$13/passenger for ferry ride, $10 parking fee per day, rental car fee + gas $$]
3. take shuttle bus from SeaTac to Anacortes Ferry Terminal-->walk onto ferry-->walk/carpool/taxi/rent a car while on Orcas
[$33 bus ride ($61 round-trip), $13/passenger for ferry trip]
4. fly from SeaTac to Orcas-->walk/carpool/taxi/rent a car while on Orcas
[$100 one-way roughly, $200 round-trip]
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beyond cost, you may have some other questions - so here’s our attempt at some preemptive answers:
how long does it take to drive from Seattle to the Anacortes Ferry Terminal?
google maps will tell you can drive the 81 miles in 1 hour 36 minutes. we say it depends on traffic and time of day you’re traveling. last friday we left downtown Seattle at 3:00 pm and arrived at the terminal at 5:35 pm, in what was probably standard “heavy friday afternoon traffic.” while we can’t give you a definitive answer on this one, we recommend at least 2 hours driving time to be safe, unless you’re traveling during a “peak traffic time of day,” in which case we’d shoot for a bit longer. remember too, that you want to arrive at the terminal at least 30 minutes before your scheduled ferry, especially if you’re driving on. also...if you're driving from SeaTac airport, add an extra 20 to 40 minutes onto your drive time.
once on Oracs, do I need a car to get to your wedding?
the wedding is located in Eastsound, WA, 8.5 miles from the island’s ferry terminal. however once you are in Eastsound, you really don’t have to leave unless you want to explore the outer reaches of the island (and depending on where your accommodations are located). the ceremony, reception, many accommodations and restaurants, parks and shops are all centrally located in Eastsound, meaning everything is walkable. if you do leave your car behind, there are four ways to get from the ferry terminal to Eastsound: 1) orcas island shuttle (this requires a special charter service in late september, so if you're interested in this option, please contact us and let us know, and if there is a critical mass of folks, we can make arrangements for people), 2) taxi, 3) carpool with someone, or 4) rent a car after you get on the island.
is that ferry price one-way or round trip?
yeah we know the ferry is a bit pricey, but here’s the good news – you don't have to pay for the return ferry to Anacortes. the most clever of you may figure out that flying to the island and then hitching a ride back, just might be the way to go.
when do those ferries leave?
please check the ferry schedule for yourself to double check, but here are some popular times that people might be thinking about coming and going:
Friday Sept. 18th – 10:05 am - 11:50 am - 2:45 pm - 5:35 pm - 6:50 pm - 9:00 pm
Saturday Sept. 19th – 7:45 am - 10:05 am - 11:50 am
Sunday Sept. 20th (return trip) – 7:15 am - 9:20 am - 12:05 pm - 1:30 pm -4:20 pm - 7:00 pm
the ferry sailing time is 50 minutes or 80 minutes, depending on whether they stop at other islands en route. Also, keep in mind when deciding which ferry to catch, they may be running late (especially on Friday evenings and Sundays). Sunday afternoons leaving Orcas can also have very long ferry lines, so if you're driving, you may not get on the ferry that you want if you arrive just prior to departure (i.e., the cars in front of you in line filled the ferry)...we recommend that on Sunday, arrive at the Orcas ferry dock a couple hours early for the ferry you want to catch. [there's a grassy area and picnic tables, cafe, and grocery store near the Orcas ferry dock, so you can take/buy your lunch and lounge in the sun or shade while you're waiting!]
i want to carpool, can you guys help me out?
sure, if you let us know when you plan to come in and what ferry you’re looking to take, we’re happy to try and set you up with someone else attending the wedding, who is coming or going around the same time.
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