Commercial Air

Ground Transportation to Anacortes from Sea_tac and Mount Vernon/Burlington

Water Transportation 

Commercial Air: It used to be a snap to catch a commuter flight from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to San Juan Island because the gate was in the airport. Now air passengers must schlep their bags to the ground transportation section of the airport parking garage. There you meet shuttles provided by Kenmore Air Seaplanes and Kenmore Air Express, the only scheduled carriers from Seattle to the island. This means when departing San Juan you should allow plenty of time to make your connecting flight.

Kenmore Air Seaplanes: (800)543-9595 -- scheduled flight from/to Lake Union in downtown Seattle. Complimentary shuttle from Sea-Tac.

Kenmore Air Express: (800)543-9595 -- flights from Boeing Field. Complimentary shuttle from Sea-Tac to Boeing Field.

San Juan Airlines: (800)690-0086 -- scheduled and charted flights to/from the islands.

Ground Transportation to Anacortes from Sea-Tac and Mount Vernon/Burlington

The Island Airporter is handy for islanders because it leaves Friday Harbor on the 6 a.m. ferry (called the "Red-eye" by locals) and returns on the mid-afternoon boat from Anacortes. You can plan your Sea-Tac departure and arrival accordingly. The Bellair Airporter shuttle also is handy because it requires only a quick walk from the Anacortes terminal to the pick-up area. You transfer vehicles at a hub in nearby Mount Vernon for the journey south to Sea-Tac and do the same coming home.

Airporter Shuttle: (866)235-5247 -- from SeaTac and Bellingham International Airport.

Island Airporter: (360) 378-7438 -- to and from Sea-Tac from Friday Harbor (boards ferry).

Amtrak Catch-A-Train: (800) 457-3549 -- year-round, daily service from Seattle (twice) and points south.

Greyhound Bus Lines: (800)739-5020 -- from Seattle to Mount Vernon.

Skagit Transit: (360)299-2424 -- local transit system in Skagit County.

Taxi: (866)670-2020 -- service to airports, Amtrak, ferry.

Water Transportation

If you're on a tight schedule be wary of combined shuttle-excursion vessels. Most people come here to view wildlife and the boat will throttle down for every marine mammal and perched bird. This is only great fun if you don't have a dinner reservation and unconfirmed hotel room.

Washington State Ferries: Outside WA State: (206) 464-6400; In Washington State (800) 843-3779 (automated); (888) 808-7977 -- A division of the Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington State Ferries serves the San Juan islands and Victoria, B.C., year round with six to 10 boats calling at San Juan depending on the season. Board the ferry in Anacortes, Washington (85 miles north of Seattle and 90 miles south of Vancouver, B.C.) after taking State Route 20 west (Exit 230) from Interstate 5 at Burlington, Washington.

Victoria Clipper: (800) 888-2535 -- from Seattle.

Victoria Express: (800)443-4552-- from Victoria & Port Angeles.

San Juan Boat Tours/Island Commuter: (360) 378-3499 -- whale and shuttle service from Bellingham.