State ferry travel tips for final holiday rush of busiest summer season since 2019

Washington State Ferries expects approximately 400,000 passengers to travel during the Labor Day weekend, from August 28 to September 1, signaling the busiest summer since 2019. The peak travel day is projected to be Saturday, August 30, which has seen high ridership on multiple Saturdays this summer. Notably, ridership has exceeded 90,000 on eight Saturdays since 2019, with the highest recorded at 95,361 on July 26. Steve Nevey, head of WSF, expressed excitement about the restored sailings and increased passenger numbers, advising travelers to plan ahead. Riders should use the WSDOT mobile app for sailing schedules and live updates.

Additionally, holiday schedule changes will affect routes like Anacortes/San Juan Islands and Edmonds/Kingston on Labor Day. Those traveling to ferry terminals should check real-time traffic information to anticipate delays. Early morning or late-night sailings may help reduce wait times.