Washington State Transportation

Washington State Transportation: Tips and contact info for traveling to, from, and around the Olympic Peninsula via rental car, bus, plane, ferry, shuttle. 


Port Angeles is situated in the midst of a large peninsula, isolated by mountains to the south and the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the north. The geography can sometimes complicate the coming and going, but no worries, it's nothing we can't work out together. 

Ideally, you will arrive in your own vehicle/RV, OR fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and then rent a car. 

This page gives information on all the modes of Washington State transportation that we on the Olympic Peninsula and in the Puget Sound areas rely on to navigate the roadways and waterways that surround western Washington.

The quick links below will take you lower on this page and directly to the topic that interests you.

Quick Links to Washington State Transportation Topics:

  • Ferries (WA State Ferries, Clipper Express, Coho Ferry)
  • Car Rentals (Seattle and Port Angeles Car Rentals)
  • Buses, Shuttles (Dungeness Line, Strait Shot, the Rocket)
  • Air Travel (Rite Bros, Kenmore Airlines, Commercial Flights)

Washington State Transportation Via Ferry

Washington State Ferries

Washington State FerriesWashington State Transportation via the State Ferry System - consistent, (usually) prompt, reliable, pets permitted on board.

Washington State Ferries:
Multiple ferry routes throughout Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, also with weekly service to Sidney BC, on Vancouver island. The routes typically used to go to and from the Olympic Peninsula are:

Links to current schedules is here.

The Clipper: Express Ferry

Express boat from Seattle to Victoria:
Clippervacations.com. The Clipper does not stop in Port Angeles.

Coho Ferry

Black Ball's Coho Ferry has just left the dock in Port Angeles WA and is bound for Victoria BC Canada.Washington State Transportation between Port Angeles and Victoria BC Canada on the Coho Ferry. Fun!

Coho Ferry: The Coho, operated by Black Ball Ferry Lines, sails exclusively between Port Angeles and Victoria BC. It transports both people and vehicles, including autos, RVs, and large commercial vehicles. During the main tourism season (May to September), they make 4 crossings a day, while during winter they make as few as 1 crossing per day.

Visit the Coho Ferry page for all the details.

Washington State Transportation: Car Rentals

Port Angeles Car Rentals

Port Angeles boasts THREE car rental companies: Avis, Budget, and Enterprise. Which is good, as there are no car rental services in either Sequim or Port Townsend.

Avis and Budget Car Rentals in Port Angeles

Avis and Budget both maintain offices in the Dungeness Lines office on 8th Street in Port Angeles.

Avis Car Rental Website: Avis Car Rental in Port Angeles

Budget Car Rental Website: Budget Car Rental in Port Angeles

Joint Address: 107  8th St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Location: on the north side of 8th Street just west of Lincoln Street
Avis Phone: +1-360-452-4776
Budget Phone: +1-360-452-4774
Joint Hours: Mon-Sat 7-7p; Sun 8-6p; See website for holiday hours.
Free Shuttle Service: From the Black Ball Ferry Terminal to the car rental office on 8th Street.

Enterprise Car Rental in Port Angeles

Enterprise has its office at the corner of Race and First Streets east of the downtown area.

Enterprise Car Rental
Website: Enterprise Car Rental in Port Angeles WA
Address: 902 E 1st St Unit D, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Location: Less than one mile east of downtown Port Angeles at Race and First Street.
Phone: +1-360-417-3083
Hours: Mon-Fri 8 - 5p; Sat 9-1p; Sun closed
Free Shuttle Service: During business hours - call the rental office to make arrangements.


Seattle Car Rentals

Every national car rental company has multiple offices in the downtown Seattle area.

If you are flying into Sea-Tac International Airport, many of these same companies have offices and car rental counters available to you in the arrivals area of the airport. Here are several of the higher-rated car-rental services. 

Alamo Car Rental at Sea-Tac International Airport

Website: Alamo Car Rental at SeaTac
Address: 3150 S 160th St Ste 509, Seatac, WA 98188
Phone: +1-833-329-8466
Hours: Open 24 hours

Dollar Rent a Car at Sea-Tac International Airport

Website: Dollar Rent a Car at SeaTac
Address: 3150 S 160th St, Seatac, WA 98188
Phone: +1-206-433-5825
Hours: Open 24 hours

Enterprise Rent-A-Car at Sea-Tac International Airport

Website: Enterprise Rent a Car at SeaTac
Address: 3150 S 160th St Ste 508, Seatac, WA 98188
Phone: +1-833-329-8464
Hours: Every day, 4 am - 1:30 am

Hertz Car Rental at Sea-Tac International Airport

Website: Hertz Rent a Car at SeaTac
Address: 3150 S 160th St, Seatac, WA 98158
Phone: (206) 277-2300
Hours: Open 24 hours

National Car Rental at Sea-Tac International Airport

Website: National Car Rental at SeaTac
Address: 3150 S 160th St Ste 507, Seatac, WA 98188
Phone: +1-833-329-8465
Hours: Open 24 hours

Thrifty Car Rental at Sea-Tac International Airport

Website: Thrifty Car Rental at SeaTac
Address: 3150 S 160th St, SeaTac, WA 98188
Hours: Open 24 hours
Phone: +1-877-283-0898

Washington State Transportation: Buses, Shuttles

Dungeness Line

Affectionately called "the Crab Bus," Dungeness Line provides "luxury coach" bus service between multiple stops across the north Olympic Peninsula. At Kingston, it crosses the Sound on the Kingston-Edmonds ferry and continues to points in Seattle.

  • Daily stops in Seattle include the Greyhound Station and Sea-Tac Airport. 
  • With reservations booked at least a day in advance, the Crab Bus will also stop at various medical facilities in the Seattle area. 
  • Call the Dungeness Lines to make reservations or to inquire about fares, luggage restrictions, and connections
  • Fare includes ferry tolls and wifi

Dungeness Line
Address: 107 E 8th Street, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Website: https://dungeness-line.com/
Phone: +1360-417-0700
Hours: Mon-Sat 7 - 7p; Sun 8a - 6p


Clallam Transit: The Strait Shot

The Strait Shot schedule between Port Angeles and Bainbridge IslandThe Strait Shot Schedule

Clallam Transit is Clallam County's Public Transportation Service. As a means to facilitate your vacation in Port Angeles, or to see the sights, public transit offers very poor connectivity, i.e. don't even think about it.

HOWEVER: there is one Clallam Transit service that might be of interest: 

Route 123, also called the "Strait Shot." 

The Strait Shot provides bus service between Port Angeles directly to the Bainbridge Ferry, enabling you to get to Seattle reasonably, without having to worry about finding parking spots for your vehicle. This makes a day's excursion into downtown Seattle a very fun prospect!

The eastbound service starts at the Gateway Transit Center in downtown Port Angeles at 7:25 a.m., then makes stops in Sequim, Blyn, Discovery Bay, Poulsbo, SR305 at Suquamish Way, and finally arrives at the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal 2 hours later at 9:25 a.m. (Check the schedule for the Sunday/Holiday schedule as it differs from the weekday and Saturday schedules.)

The return westbound service makes the same stops in reverse, leaving Bainbridge at 10:20 a.m., and arriving at the Port Angeles Transit Center at 12:15 p.m.

The evening westbound service leaves Bainbridge ferry terminal at 8:20 p.m., arriving at the Port Angeles Gateway Transit Center at 10:05 p.m. 

Website: http://www.clallamtransit.com/
Phone: +1360-452-4511; (toll free) +1-800-858-3747
Email: info@clallamtransit.com
Strait Shot Fare: $10 (check website for discounted fare qualifications)

Washington State Transportation via the Strait Shot to Seattle is used for more than just vacations. Check the Clallam Transit website which provides very clear how-to directions for getting to several frequently traveled destinations in the Seattle area.


Rocket Transportation

"Rocket Transportation is the ONLY true DOOR to DOOR Sea-Tac Airport shuttle serving Washington’s Beautiful Olympic Peninsula" (from their website)

Rocket Transportation:
Website: https://www.gorocketman.com/
Office hours: 8am-5pm
Phone: +1-360-683-8087; (toll free) +1-877-697-6258
Email: hello@gorocketman.com

The Rocket provides door-to-door shuttle service between the Olympic Peninsula, including Port Angeles, Sequim, and Port Townsend, to select points in Kitsap County, Tacoma, and Seattle, including Seattle International Airport. They promise service day or night, rain or shine.

  • By reservation only
  • "Newest and cleanest van fleets in the PNW." 
  • Includes wifi and complimentary refreshments
  • Charter service: Call for availability and pricing

Washington State Transportation Via: Air Travel

Rite Bros

Rite Bros: Provides scenic flights and charter service to and from the Olympic Peninsula and throughout much of Washington State. Check with them for sightseeing from the air.

Website: http://ritebros.com/
Address: 1402 Fairchild Airport Rd, Port Angeles WA 98363
Phone: +1-360-452-6226; (toll free) +1-800-430-7483
Email: info@ritebros.com

Kenmore Airlines

Kenmore Airlines: Flies to Seattle and outlying areas including Victoria and many Canadian villages. Kenmore Airlines no longer flies to Port Angeles, although you can charter their services into Port Angeles.

Commercial Airlines

Sea-Tac International Airport is the main (only) major international airport in the area. Its air initials are: SEA.

The following two commercial airlines make hundreds of flights in and out of Sea-Tac International Airport night and day (links open in new window):

Include these carriers in your travel research, as their flights are not included in flight aggregate websites such as Travelocity or Expedia.

Tip: Open an incognito window to search for flights and prices, so that when you go back later to actually book the flight you don't discover that the prices suddenly jumped. This suggestion is good for any airline you may be researching.






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