Place
Our wedding will be in Port Gamble, Washington, which is on the Kitsap Peninsula at the mouth of the Hood Canal. Getting there from Seattle requires a ferry and about an hours drive. Expect long lines at the ferries and a lot of traffic on the roads – get there early, and give yourself a 2-3 ferry buffer!
Airports:
Seattle (SEA) The Seattle Airport is located about 30 minutes south of the city. If you drive straight to Port Gamble from the airport, you have a few options, but either way it will take you between 2 and 3 hours, depending on the traffic, which can be very heavy in the summer, especially if you run into ferry traffic.
Taxis/Shuttles:
The Kitsap Airporter charges $20 each way from the airport to Poulsbo. When you arrive at the airport, you must go to the desk located at the end beyond the first baggage carousel and put your name in and pay. When returning to the airport from Poulsbo, reservations can (and should) be made online ahead of time: http://www.kitsapairporter.com/index.php/AirporterSchedules/KitsapSeaTac/
There is also a taxi in the area that can get you between your hotel/lodging and Port Gamble. I was told it would be about $35 for a ride between Poulsbo and Port Gamble. 24 hour service. 360.698.7660.
http://bitaxi.com/services.html
Driving Directions:
Click here to see the full ferry schedule (recommended ferries included below). Please don’t underestimate travel time! Ferries are often too full and you have to wait for the next one or the one after that. Once you get across the Sound, traffic will be very heavy and very slow. Allow for plenty of travel time.
From Seattle: two options
1. Via the Edmonds/Kingston ferry (1-1.5 hours driving plus 30 minute ferry and wait times)
The Edmonds ferry is a bit more direct, so if you’re really crunched for time, we recommend this one. Also, if you are so crunched for time that you have to make the next available ferry, drive to Edmonds, park your car and walk on – the venue is just a 15 minute drive from the ferry and you can grab a cab or have someone come get you. The only downside to the Edmonds/Kingston route is it doesn’t have the stunning Seattle skyline view, but it’s still a beautiful ride across Puget Sound! If you take the Edmonds ferry on Saturday, we recommend you getting there around noon – this allows you to make the 12:40, 1:40 or 2:25 ferry. The 3:15 ferry is the latest ferry you can take and get to the wedding on time, but it would be cutting it pretty close.
From anywhere in Seattle, head north on I-5 and take Exit 177 for WA-104 West. Turn right onto WA-104 W/NE 205th St/Lake Ballinger Way/State Route 104 W. Continue to follow WA-104 W/State Route 104 W. In a little less than a mile, keep right at the fork to stay on 104 W and follow signs to the Kingston Ferry (the ferry is in Edmonds but it’s destination is Kingston). Take a slight right onto Ferry Terminal Lane, and pay your fare – then get in line! There is a good chance that many miles before the fare booth, traffic will be lined up on the side of the road – that is ferry traffic – get in line! You will sit still unless a ferry is loading, so don’t be concerned. If you’re worried you’re in the wrong spot, ask someone in the cars near you if you’re in the right place. Once you’re on the ferry – get out and walk around – go out to the deck and take in the fresh air and the views! When the ferry is close, they will make an announcement – head back to your car and get ready to unload. Drive straight off the ferry and continue on 104 West for about 500 feet. Turn right onto WA-104 W/NE 1st St/State Route 104 W, and continue to follow WA-104 W/State Route 104 W. In 4 miles, turn right again to stay on 104 W. Drive about 4 more miles, and things will start to look very New England-like. You’ll see a big church on your left. If you’d like to minimize walking or you’re running late, park here. Otherwise, keep and follow the main road when it curves left. Turn right at Puget Way you’ll soon see parking. It’s less than a 10 minute walk and we’ll have signs along the route.
2. Via Downtown Seattle/Bainbridge Island ferry (1 – 1.5 hours driving plus 35 minute ferry and wait times)
If you take the Bainbridge ferry on Saturday, we recommend you getting there around noon – this allows you to make the 12:20 (very unlikely), 1:10 or 2:05 ferry. The 3:00 ferry is the latest ferry you can take and get to the wedding on time, but it would be cutting it close, as the drive from the Bainbridge ferry terminal to Port Gamble is very slow.
The ferry terminal is on the waterfront (west edge of the city) in Seattle, but because of always changing construction, I don’t dare give specific examples – follow signs until you get there, but the entrance to the terminal is on Alaska Way South and Yesler Avenue. Make your way to the ferry terminal for ‘Bremerton/Bainbridge’ and buy a ticket for Bainbridge Island. Drive onto the ferry. Once you’re on the ferry – get out and walk around – go out to the deck and take in the fresh air and the stunning view of the Seattle skyline! When the ferry is close, they will make an announcement – head back to your car and get ready to unload. Drive straight off the ferry and continue straight on 305 North for about 7 miles. After you cross a bridge, turn right onto Suquamish Way NE for about a mile, turn left onto Division Ave and drive half a mile, then turn left on to NE Columbia Street. After about a mile and a half, it will become Port Gamble Road NE. Stay on this road for another 3 or so miles, then turn right onto WA-307/Bond Road NE. In less than a mile, turn left onto WA-104 West. Drive about 4 more miles, and things will start to look very New England-like. You’ll see a big church on your left. If you’d like to minimize walking or you’re running late, park here. Otherwise, keep and follow the main road when it curves left. Turn right at Puget Way you’ll soon see parking. It’s less than a 10 minute walk and we’ll have signs along the route.
From Sea-Tac Airport: two options
1. Driving only (1.5-2 hours)
If you’re at all crunched for time, this is your best option. There is also a shuttle that can take you from Sea-Tac to Port Gamble, see information above!
Follow signs for I-5 and get on I-5 south. Follow I-5 south towards Tacoma (about 20 miles) and take exit 132 B for WA-16 West towards Bremerton for about 25 miles. Take the ramp for WA-3 North towards Bremerton/Poulsbo merge onto WA-3 North. Continue straight onto WA-104 East. After you pass the turn for the Hood Canal Bridge, the road will curve right and you’ll enter Port Gamble. If you’re okay with walking a bit, turn left onto Puget Way and park near the reception location and then walk .3 miles to the church (we’ll have signs up). If you’d like to minimize walking, continue straight on 104 E and follow it around a sharp right corner. Keep an eye out, the church will be on your right.
2. Driving plus ferry (1.5-2 hours, plus a 35 minute ferry and wait times)
Leave the airport and follow signs for I-5 North. Stay on I-5 North until you reach Seattle. Take Exit 165 for Seneca Street. Take Seneca until you reach 1st Ave and turn left. The ferry terminal is on the waterfront (west edge of the city) in Seattle, but because of always changing construction, I don’t dare give specific examples – follow signs until you get there, but the entrance to the terminal is on Alaska Way South and Yesler Avenue. Make your way to the ferry terminal for ‘Bremerton/Bainbridge’ and buy a ticket for Bainbridge Island. Drive onto the ferry. Once you’re on the ferry – get out and walk around – go out to the deck and take in the fresh air and the stunning view of the Seattle skyline! When the ferry is close, they will make an announcement – head back to your car and get ready to unload. Drive straight off the ferry and continue straight on 305 North for about 7 miles. After you cross a bridge, turn right onto Suquamish Way NE for about a mile, turn left onto Division Ave and drive half a mile, then turn left on to NE Columbia Street. After about a mile and a half, it will become Port Gamble Road NE. Stay on this road for another 3 or so miles, then turn right onto WA-307/Bond Road NE. In less than a mile, turn left onto WA-104 West. Drive about 4 more miles, and things will start to look very New England-like. You’ll see a big church on your left. If you’d like to minimize walking or you’re running late, park here. Otherwise, keep and follow the main road when it curves left. Turn right at Puget Way you’ll soon see parking. It’s less than a 10 minute walk and we’ll have signs along the route.
