As any Washington resident can tell you, Ferry Docks (hell, the Ferry Service itself) are hardly worthy of rating. For the most part, they're all the same: well-trained support personnel to ticket, assist and direct drivers as they line up their vehicles to board the next ferry; adequate waiting and parking facilities to accommodate vehicles with reservations, as well as those who may need to standby for another ferry; clean (not quite rest stop quality) restrooms; and dry, serviceable, no-frills walk-on passenger waiting areas equipped with self-serve ticketing kiosks. That said, located in a wildlife preserve next to Whidbey Island's historic Fort Casey, the Keystone-Coupeville Ferry Dock features an absolutely gorgeous backdrop -- especially at dawn, sunset and during the evening twilight hours. read more

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This is the ferry check in station on Whidbey island. It goes across to Port Townsend. Very busy transfer station. Highly recommend reservation, and if it's standby, keep checking cause someone may cancel theirs. They only allow a certain amount of standby vehicles. You can walk on, bike and even motorcycle on. I even saw a semi coming off of it! We took the 1:15 ferry and wow so busy! About a 30 minute ride and so smooth we took a nap in our car. You are allowed to leave your car and head up to the top deck for a nice view. They also have a galley for snacks too. And restrooms available. read more

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I gotta admit, the Keystone ferry terminal isn't exactly the gem of the WSF system. It appears to have been built in simpler times, decades ago when things like ticket vending machines and social distancing weren't a thing. As a result, it's not the most efficient place to hang out - especially in times of covid (though the employees have done their best to map out effective social distancing protocols). The best thing about the Keystone terminal is the lovely beach adjacent to it. It's a great place to sit and wait for the ferry, which is often late due to the frequent fog, winds and/or low tides in this area. The ferry is also smaller here, so the wait times for driving aboard are often long - it's best to make a reservation online to cut down on wait times. If you're walking on, allow time to find parking, which is not abundant (especially on sunny, warm weekend days). There are few services here, except for a couple of vending machines, but (praise be!) there's a real restroom just inside the terminal doors. read more

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If you live in the Pacific Northwest, ferries hopping across the Puget Sound are a given. They are part of the fiber of this region. But, if you do not, it simply begs to be a part of the whole "tourist experience". Whether a perfectly beautiful day when the scenery is spectacular and the crossing smooth, or a stormy day when Mother Nature kicks up her heels and tries to dampen your spirit, this is a service I respect. The cars are sheltered from the elements, smooth/orderly transitions on and off, and the passengers can get out of the car and wander safely. That they also have a snack bar for emergency rations and bathrooms for itty bitty bladders on board is not coincidental. This is not quicky kind of experience and should be savored for exactly what it is: a slower, more gentler transportation experience, and one that kept my sanity in check rather than driving the frantic freeway through Seattle. That at one end of this trip is the lovely jewel, Port Townsend, is yet another reward in itself. This whole experience was a not to be missed treat for us out-of-towners. Mind those who recommend getting reservations to avoid being disappointed. You can do it online. read more

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Took the ferry twice yesterday. Both times the boarding process (via car) was really easy. The ferries have indoor and outdoor areas where you can grab a view or you can sit in your car. Bathrooms also available and clean. read more

Washington State Ferries - Keystone - Outdoor area - Ferries Near Me - Coupeville, Washington

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So clean and the area is calm, peaceful and so fresh. Staff were all very friendly, can't wait to go on the ferry again. read more

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Ugh!!!! I feel like it's next to impossible to get a reservation unless you do it weeks in advance. Ain't nobody got time for that. Idk what I'm doing the next day half the time. Anyhow. The ferry it self is great. Getting on it however is another beast. Trying to head over to go camping and we are going to end up waiting half the day in the standby line. I feel like they should run more ferries on a Friday. read more

Washington State Ferries - Keystone - Waiting in the stand-by line - Ferries Near Me - Coupeville, Washington

As per previous peeved reviews swearing and groaning about how bad this ferry line is, I've never had a problem...why? BECAUSE I MADE RESERVATIONS! I made reservations knowing how busy this ferry line is. I've read on some forums where people have to wait three hours before they can get on. Depending on how early you show up, you may or may not have to leave the ferry area. I always show up way too early and have to drive off the ferry landing but I'd much rather wait around at my own leisure and return, rather than having to be stuck in a hot car with a bladder full of pee and stomach raging with hunger and bratty kids screaming are we there yet!! If you go to WSDOT website, it clearly tells you to MAKE RESERVATIONS. Even the signs on the road leading up the ferry landing say MAKE RESERVATIONS! The website even tells you when the ferries cannot cross due to low tide so there's no excuse for not knowing ahead of time. You can easily get reservations online and way ahead of time. If you miss your reservation time you'll have to wait stand-by. WSDOT is generous enough to let you change your time but you'll have to do it in advance. No-show and get charged the no-show fee. WSDOT even sends a text message to your cell phone to remind you of your reservation date/time; how easy is that! This ferry ride was longer than the Mukilteo to Clinton ride so we got to poke around a bit more and actually got to enjoy the ride. The ferry workers are all very friendly, fast and efficient. The ferry is on time, it is clean, efficient and a convenient way to travel from Coupeville to Port Townsend. Oh, and....MAKE RESERVATIONS!! You're welcome. read more

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We've always had really good luck with this Ferry. It's quite simple... during Spring or Summer, you make reservations, during Winter or Fall, you have a higher probability of getting on board if you arrive about 30 minutes early. On this particular cold winter weekend, we were able to drive up and make it onboard with no waiting..both from Keystone and Pt. Townsend. Love this crossing. It's only about 30 minutes. It's a great place to view whales or sea lions. The crew is exceptionally kind. Love the scary turn that the Ferry needs to make when approaching the Keystone terminal...especially during stormy crossing! read more

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Efficient. Prompt. Tidy. Right price. On time record impressive. We travelled mid week mid morning no reservation no waiting. Smooth sailing. Lovely crossing Port Townsend to Coupeville. This routing allowed us to skip the megalopolis that is Seattle on this occasion. So quiet and pretty on the Olympic peninsula, then Whidbey Island. We love Washington ferry system, very old school, non commercial. Are u listening up in Canada? (BCferries) read more

Over all love this ferry ride and over all very clean and smooth rides usually. Only concern I have is when crew park oncoming vehicles on top of emergency hatches and no parking zones stripped off on the vehicle deck. It feels unsafe and can only hope we wouldn't ever need to use the emergency hatches on an emergency or get out of the stairwells that become blocked by vehicles told to park there by the crew. read more

This by far is my absolute favourite ferry routing in the entire system, granted reservations for the limited crossings are a must when travelling by car, and that tidal issues on the Keystone terminal side cancel sailings here and there because of the dock location, plus the fact that the crossings can be cancelled due to high wind or even slightly rough seas can make this ferry crossing least appealing to the average traveller. The new vessels built for and used in this crossing are the perfect size and can accommodate the exactly right amount of both drive on cars as it can walk aboard passengers. This route often is adjusted to sailing with one vessel due to the urgent required use of the second vessel on a more populated and frequently utilised route. To ensure your crossing is made, definitely make a reservation for any of the sailings on the day you wish to travel. Standby cars are accepted on an as available basis and if the last crossing of the night is full, you're first in the standby lane for the first crossing the following morning. It does happen more than ya believe, usually on the Port Townsend side than the Keystone side, partly because you can drive down to the Clinton terminal and catch a crossing to the mainland till about midnight! Keystone terminal is situated at the Fort Casey National Park and this makes the terminal and its accessibility for ferry usage unique and fun at the same time! There's no designated parking near the Keystone terminal and you legally can park on the side of the road to walk on and enjoy a day over in Port Townsend! read more

The Washington State Ferry system is fantastic. The staff, facilities, and ferries are excellent. The staff are friendly and helpful. It's such a great means of transportation. read more

One of the employees told us they saw whales last week and that they usually see dolphins. We didn't see either on our trip, but the sun was shining so it was terrific. Port Townsend looks like a cute town, I hope to explore it further on a future visit. This ferry ride averages about 30 minutes, and not having to drive back down to Olympia and up through Seattle after our time on the Olympic peninsula, such a plus in our book. I do think the tides affect the schedules, just google washington state ferries. Cheers. Any day I get to ride on a boat, I truly feel like I am on a vacation. P.s. Bring foods, the concessions were closed for winter schedules, but it isn't that long of a ride. But, don't risk the hangriness. read more

Piece of cake if you make a reservation. If you don't, well, be prepared to sit and WAIT. https://secureapps.wsdot.wa.gov/Ferries/Reservations/Vehicle/Mobile/MobileDefault.aspx p.s. There's an app for that. read more

First, WSF changing the name of the terminal from Keystone to Coupeville was stupid and ill-advised. Of course, when WSF's website first came online about 15 years ago, the online map showed the location as being south of Main Street & Highway 20. Totally wrong. That wasn't enough: when southbound from Deception Pass and Oak Harbor, for cripe's sake, DO NOT BELIEVE the Washington State Highway Department!! They want to send you almost six miles south, and forcing you to make a U-turn north of the terminal. Instead, do the easy and intelligent thing, and take a right at the stoplight(and pedestrian overpass), then follow Main directly to Fort Casey and the terminal. Whatever state functionary came up with that idea should be fired...... Yes, if you're driving on, making an advance reservation for your vehicle is a must. Of course, that only applies if both boats are running: on my most recent trip, one of the newest ferries was out of service, so no car reservations!! These boats, the Olympic class, were built by a group of shysters called Vigor Industries, and are the most undependable tubs I've seen in a life spent riding WSF!! Actually, maybe the cretin that came up with the road route had a crippled hand in that. read more

Definitely need to make a reservation if you have any kind of time restraints! The keystone cafe is right next door if you're hungry/thirsty with some time to kill waiting for the ferry. Extra parking for walk on passengers with a discover pass available at the boat launch next door as well! Limited parking otherwise! read more

I take this ferry every now and the to get to Freeland to see my sister in law. I'm sick and tired of missing a ferry because you don't have a reservation or there are to many cars ahead of me. This is a busy ferry system and they need to get a ferry like the one on Bainbridge island. I live in Port Townsend and both ferry terminals are busy enough to have a big ferry. Washington state needs to get it together. read more

Very poor information by Washington ferry personnel regarding reservations versus standby status on August 5 sailing from coup like to port Townsend. Resulting in penalty with loss reservation in a vacation 9 months ahead. Be aware of ferry problems of you are an inexperienced Washington tourist. Not nice ! read more

Since you can make reservations on this run it is usually a smooth ride! I wish the cost was less expensive...that keeps me from traveling over there more on my dime. read more