Getting here and Getting Around Port Angeles
& the Olympic Peninsula
Port Angeles is not only an easy weekend getaway for Seattleites looking for a little R&R or to run amuck in the Olympic National Park, but our city is an international gateway with a direct ferry route to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The 18-mile Coho Ferry ride from downtown Port Angeles to Vancouver Island provides visitors to the region with even more things to explore and do.
After all, part of the beautiful adventure is getting here!
Getting to Port Angeles, Washington is easy. Whether you are flying, driving or ferry-ing, we have the full scoop on how to get here — and get around.
Downtown Port Angeles Maps
Let the Port Angeles Waterfront District map to guide you to shops, restaurants and attractions in downtown Port Angeles. For those who want to pedal through Port Angeles, check out the bike map with dozens of routes and bike trails, including the Olympic Discovery Trail!
Here’s how you can get to Port Angeles and around the Olympic Peninsula:
By Ferry
Ride an iconic Washington State Ferry if you can! Washington State has one of the largest ferry systems in the U.S. with routes to and from some of the most scenic spots around the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada. Check to see if your destination offers ferry reservations online to avoid long waits.
Take the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island (see new bus service from Bainbridge Island below!) or from Edmonds to Kingston. Take the ferry from Victoria, B.C.: The Black Ball Ferry Line operates the Coho Ferry between Victoria, Canada and Port Angeles. Take the ferry to Whidbey Island from Port Townsend. This is a more direct route if you need to end up north of Everett. Watch for planned closures due to tide conditions.
Ferry Parking in Downtown Port Angeles
If you’re looking for ferry parking in Port Angeles, there are several privately operated parking lots within a few blocks of the ferry dock, ranging in cost per day from $15 (covered parking directly across the street from the dock) down to $8 (a couple of blocks away). The Red Lion Hotel, located just a few minutes walk to the ferry terminal in downtown, offers self-serve pay stations even if you aren’t staying at their hotel. Reservations are not available and rarely is this a problem. There are many parking spaces. If car safety is a concern, we hear of very few (if any) instances of theft or mischief.
By Car
Driving a vehicle to get around the Peninsula is recommended in order to make the most of your stay. Driving is also the quickest way to get to Port Angeles from the Seattle area despite numerous ferry options. If you happen to arrive by ferry sans car, you can rent a car in downtown near the ferry terminal. Getting to Port Angeles, the Olympic National Park and Peninsula on Hwy 101 is a pleasant drive with most of the trip following the scenery of the Puget Sound.
Coming from Olympia: Take I-5 to Hwy 101
Coming from Tacoma: Take State Route 16 to Bremerton; take State Route 3 north from Bremerton to State Route 104; There may be some delays across the Hood Canal Bridge if the bridge has to close due to boat traffic.
Coming from the Washington or Oregon Coast: Connect to Hwy 101 in Aberdeen
If you plan to head to Victoria, B.C. for a day trip, ferry parking is available near the Coho Ferry terminal in downtown Port Angeles ranging from $8-$15 per day. See “BY FERRY” paragraph above for more details.
By Shuttle
The Dungeness Line is an intercity bus line for Washington State DOT, operated by MTRWESTERN, providing service from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Kingston, Edmonds, Discovery Bay, Sequim, Port Townsend and Port Angeles. It’s recommended to book ahead online to ensure you have a seat. They provide two trips daily between the Olympic Peninsula and the Seattle Tacoma International Airport.
Clallam Transit’s “Strait Shot” daily bus service from the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal let’s you ride in style (watch the video above!) to the Olympic Peninsula if you are flying into SEA airport. You’ll be able to leave your car in Port Angeles or Seattle and walk on board the Bainbridge Island ferry for a car-free journey on the Olympic Peninsula or to explore downtown Seattle. The “Strait Shot” stops in Port Angeles, Sequim, Blyn, Poulsbo and Agate Pass. The bus has all the amenities to make your ride comfortable — from free WiFi to a restroom on board. Go to www.clallamtransit.com for route information and updates.
If you don’t have a vehicle while you are here, Clallam Transit System runs a bus line in and around Port Angeles and services a large portion of Clallam County and the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal — including Jamestown S’Klallam (Blyn), Sequim, Lake Crescent, Lake Sutherland, Joyce and Forks. Sadly, we do not have any ride services like Uber or Lyft yet.
By Air
Currently, Port Angeles lacks commercial air service, but the Port of Port Angeles is working on it, so visitors can fly directly from the Seattle-Tacoma Airport (SEA). Refer to shuttle service from SEA to Port Angeles above. You can also fly into Victoria, B.C. and then hop aboard the Coho Ferry into Port Angeles.
About the Port of Port Angeles
The Port of Port Angeles is the closest and deepest water port in the United States to the Pacific Rim. Established in 1923, the Port maintains and manages several marine facilities, marinas, two airports and even some commercial and industrial properties. The Port promotes and enhances the economic vitality of Clallam County through job creation and business development, as both a public steward and an economically self-sustaining enterprise.
Getting to Port Angeles
