The West Seattle High Bridge is open, but why get back behind the wheel when you can continue to use the floating alternative to avoid traffic this fall and winter, the West Seattle Water Taxi!

After a weekend (Oct. 15-16) when the Water Taxi will not sail to conduct vessel maintenance, the winter sailing schedule, put in place during the work on the West Seattle Bridge, will continue starting Monday, Oct. 17.

This summer, ridership levels on the West Seattle Water Taxi approached the number of passengers who traveled with us in the summer of 2019! This was the summer where passengers with fat tire and electric bikes (ebikes) could bring them onboard. It was also the first summer where your dogs and cats could make the trip with you across Elliot Bay.

While the sun is setting on the summer sailing season, the opportunity to take a trip on the Water Taxi and watch a winter sunrise is just beginning. Riders will continue to enjoy seven-day a week service through the winter, including midday and weekend sailings, but no late-night service (no sailings after 7:00 p.m.).

Take the ride and walk to Lumen Field to be part of the 12’s or connect with a Metro coach to get to Climate Pledge Arena and cheer for the Kraken! Walk to from Pier 50 to light rail and be on your way to the U District, Northgate, or SeaTac.

The free Metro shuttles will still be available to get you from the Water Taxi landing at Seacrest Park to the West Seattle junction (Route 773) and Alki and the Admiral District and (Route 775 ). 

And you might even be able to pick up a pair of free sunglasses to wear on those days when the winter sun breaks out!

Riders 18 and younger get to take the Water Taxi for free! Adult water taxi fare is $5.75 one way ($5.00 with an ORCA card), and there are also fare options available to reduce the cost of riding the Water Taxi. Go to Metro’s Reduced Fare Portal for more information on seeing if you’re eligible for an ORCA LIFT card or a Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) card.

Thank you for riding with us this summer. We look forward to you joining us on the water this fall and winter!