The West Seattle Water Taxi is preparing to transition into the fall/winter sailing schedule, after seeing the largest number of passengers riding between downtown Seattle and West Seattle’s Seacrest Park in over six years.

“It was great to see people taking advantage of the extended weekend service as well as the special sailings throughout the summer,” said Marine Division Director Terry Federer. “This summer was a great lead into all of the excitement coming with next year’s Men’s World Cup.”

The late-night sailings on Friday and Saturday come to an end with the arrival of the fall and winter sailing schedule on October 11:

Monday-Friday

Depart Pier 50 to West Seattle	Depart West Seattle to Pier 50
5:55 a.m.	6:15 a.m.
6:30 a.m.	6:50 a.m.
7:05 a.m.	7:25 a.m.
7:40 a.m.	8:00 a.m.
8:15 a.m.	8:35 a.m.
8:50 a.m.	9:10 a.m.
10:30 a.m.	11:00 a.m.
11:30 a.m.	12:00 p.m.
12:30 p.m.	1:00 p.m.
1:30 p.m.	2:00 p.m.
2:30 p.m.	3:00 p.m.
3:25 p.m.	3:45 p.m.
4:05 p.m.	4:25 p.m.
4:45 p.m.	5:05 p.m.
5:25 p.m.	5:45 p.m.
6:05 p.m.	6:25 p.m.
6:45 p.m.	7:05 p.m.

Saturday-Sunday

Depart Pier 50 to West Seattle	Depart West Seattle to Pier 50
8:30 a.m.	9:00 a.m.
9:30 a.m.	10:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m.	11:00 a.m.
11:30 am	12:00 p.m.
12:30 p.m.	1:00 p.m.
1:30 p.m.	2:00 p.m.
2:30 p.m.	3:00 p.m.
3:30 p.m.	4:00 p.m.
4:30 p.m.	5:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m.	6:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m.	7:00 p.m.

The West Seattle run, which takes passengers on a 15-minute ride across Elliott Bay, saw summer (June-August) ridership of more than 178,000 passengers (59,000 per month). That meant 2025 was the busiest summer since 2019, when the water taxi carried 166,000 riders (55,000 per month) over the same period.

This summer, the water taxi saw the return of Seattle Mariners weeknight post-game service, allowing fans to go from T-Mobile to Pier 50 after Mariners victories. Fans of the “Beautiful Game” were also able to take the water taxi after matches during the 2025 FIFA Men’s Club World Cup.

Add to that a summer full of concerts—Kendrick Lamar, Morgan Wallen and Miranda Lambert, K-Pop stars Stray Kids, Post Malone, and the Lumineers—and there were a number of people who took advantage of leaving their cars at home and riding the Water Taxi.

Ride free to and from the Water Taxi

The days may be getting shorter, but whether you live in West Seattle or are coming across Elliott Bay for a day of bargain hunting in the Junction, riders can take the free Metro water taxi shuttles to and from the dock at Seacrest Park, and between other destinations on the route. Route 773 will get you to the businesses and restaurants in the West Seattle junction. Route 775 takes you along Alki and into the Admiral District.

How much does it cost to travel by Water Taxi?
Adult fare to West Seattle is $6.25 one way ($5.25 with an ORCA card). Don’t have an ORCA Card yet? MyOrca.com is the place to go to purchase a card. If you want to use your mobile device to pay your fare, download the Transit GO Ticket app prior to boarding. The water taxi (and most regional transit) is free for young people 18 years old and younger.  

The water taxi will not be in service on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Day.

REMINDER: Oct. 11, when the West Seattle Water Taxi goes into its fall and winter mode, the Vashon Water Taxi will start its six-day a week service with seven Saturday round-trips between Pier 50 in downtown Seattle and the Vashon Ferry Terminal.