Bremerton to SEATAC commute for a 9:30 a.m. Flight (Seattle: rental car, rental)

[cat22]

Hi.

I will be driving from Bremerton to SEATAC next friday. How long would the drive take if I leave around 7am, considering rush hour traffic. Better to take the ferry?

thx
cat22

[cat22]

Would like to know if I can make a 9:30 flight if I take the 7:20 ferry from Bremerton to Seattle. How is the traffic at that hour from the ferry terminal to SEATAC car rental return?

cat22

[scirocco22]

Hi cat. I've merged your two questions because they seemed to be dovetailed with each other.

So let's set the scenario. Your are in Bremerton. You are in possession of a rental car. You are taking a 9:30 a.m. flight out of SeaTac and have to return the rental car to the agency at the airport.

Yes, probably the ferry would be the way to go but I'm kind of thinking you'd better take the earlier one. From what I can remember, the Bremerton ferry takes about 45 minutes so that puts you into Coleman Dock around 8:05 a.m.

I'd allow at least 30 minutes to drive to the airport from downtown although it may be quicker because you'll be going against the commute. So that puts you at the rental car agency at about 8:35 a.m. ...not counting the additional time if you miss the rental car exit and have to re-circle around the maze of ramps at the airport ...plus, I think they're still doing construction there, too, aren't they?

You better allow at least 20 mintues to drop off the car. Although depending on which rental agency you're with, some are very efficient ...some not, so it may be quicker but it's still putting you in the terminal at, let's say 9:05 a.m. for a 9:30 flight. That's still not counting the security check-in times. I don't think I'd want to cut it that close.

I don't fly all that often and if you're a seasoned traveler, then all those times will probably be an exaggeration for you but if you're not, then those are probably the times I'd allow for myself not being a regular traveler.

That's why I'd probably take an earlier ferry.

I hope you'll get responses from others who may be more familiar with the procedures at SeaTac than I am.

--'rocco

[cat22]

Thanks for your input. I'll take the 6:20 am ferry for sure!

cat22

[scirocco22]

yeah, I just took a quick look at the ferry schedules and according to them, it's an hour from Bremerton to Seattle so taking the earlier one is definitely a good idea.

You could chance it by driving around through Tacoma but rush hour traffic patterns are so unpredictable that you'd really be risking it. You'd be going with the rush-hour commute all the way through so it's taking a risk.

--'rocco

[cat22]

[QUOTE

You could chance it by driving around through Tacoma but rush hour traffic patterns are so unpredictable that you'd really be risking it. You'd be going with the rush-hour commute all the way through so it's taking a risk.

--'rocco[/quote]
I've read a few threads about driving and the bridges. I'll go with the more relaxing mode of transportation! Thanks again.

cat22

[Tony1790]

Whoa dude,

You are NOT going to want to take the bremerton ferry, it's what an hours drive from Bremerton to the airport and assuming the traffic adds another 30 - 40 mins, leave at 6am and you should get there at 7am - 7:30am. IF you insist on taking the ferry, and the 6:20 to boot, you'll need to get there at what 5:30 to make sure that you get on it.

Having done it many times, just drive, ferry is not worth the hassle.

Tony

[Wanderlust07]

cat -- I fly fairly regularly, and currently reside in Kitsap County. I never take the ferry when I'm trying to get to SeaTac, regardless of the time of day of my departing flight, because of the unpredictable nature of the ferries. If you get to the ferry terminal and there is any kind of delay that would cause you to drive around instead, you've wasted valuable driving time.

I try to time my departure so that I arrive at SeaTac a couple of hours before my flight is due to depart to ensure sufficient time to get through the security checkpoint, and if I get there with time to spare (as I normally do), I can get a coffee or something to eat at the airport. If you have a rental car to return, you will need to factor in extra time for that, since you don't know how busy the rental return will be. My recommendation would be to allow yourself more than adequate time to drive to SeaTac, which on a good day during the off hours can take as little as just over an hour but will likely take you at least an hour and a half most of the time, and that you leave Bremerton for the airport no later than 6 a.m. I, myself, would leave closer to 5:30 a.m. This should get you there without cutting it too close, assuming no accidents or other major problems that would cause a delay on the freeway. As 'rocco mentioned, there is also construction going on at the airport that may cause delays, too (mostly seems to be due to people trying to figure out where they need to go). I also used to drive to Seattle on the days when I didn't make the ferry, and Friday traffic was usually lighter; there's obviously no guarantee that this will be the case when you drive out, but that's the pattern I have observed in the past, and could work in your favor. If you do choose to drive, the $3 toll on the Narrows is in effect, but it seems that the toll collection operation has been running smoothly, so shouldn't be responsible for a significant delay.

If you do decide to take the ferry, don't forget that if you are driving a car on, you will need to get to the ferry significantly earlier than the scheduled sailing time to ensure that you make it on. As a former regular ferry commuter, I learned that on good days, the ferry system was reasonably efficient, but often wasn't a reliable mode of transportation. The most frustrating thing about ferry commuting is the lack of control you have once you get to the ferry -- you can get there timely one day and still find that there is an unusually high number of autos waiting and fail to make the sailing, or find out that there is a mechanical problem and a sailing is cancelled. That's riskier in my opinion than leaving very early and allowing the extra time for a peak-hour commute.

Whichever method you choose, good luck! The airport is usually very busy at the time you are scheduled to fly out, so be prepared for long lines at the security screening checkpoints.

[scirocco22]

Thanks for posting that, Tony and Wanderlust.

I was just guessing and was actually hoping that somebody would jump in and correct me.

Now let's hope cat22 will check back.

--'rocco

[cat22]

Originally Posted by scirocco22

Thanks for posting that, Tony and Wanderlust.

I was just guessing and was actually hoping that somebody would jump in and correct me.

Now let's hope cat22 will check back.

--'rocco

I'm back.... We are staying at the Hampton Inn, right next to the ferry, so we thought we would put our car in line early, then grab some coffee and whatever is available at the Hampton lobby. Given the fact that I am already positioned at the ferry terminal, would that help? Do you know when they would start loading up for the 6:20 departure? If we are in front, will we be off the ferry first as well?

Thanks for your help on this.

cat22