Bellingham Ferry: A History, Schedule and Bookings

If you’re like me, you get itchy when the same route shows up twice. Airports, traffic, TSA lines—they kill the adventure. But there's a travel hack sitting quietly at the edge of the Pacific Northwest: the Alaska Marine Highway, launching from none other than Bellingham, Washington.

This isn’t a cruise. It’s better. It's a functioning lifeline for Alaskans, and it doubles as one of the most underrated travel experiences in North America. Think of it as a slow-moving, scenery-rich bullet through the legendary Inside Passage—minus the buffet lines and karaoke nights.

The Backdoor into Alaska

The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) was born from necessity. Back in 1948, the first version of this route started as a humble ferry between a few towns. Fast-forward to now, and it’s a state-run marine corridor that lets you bypass airports entirely—bringing your car, your gear, or just a backpack.

In 1989, Bellingham became the southernmost point in the system. It’s the only AMHS terminal in the lower 48. Translation: if you want to drive your van, motorcycle, or even mountain bike into Alaska, this is your jump-off.

The Route: Not Just a Ride—A Moving Meditation

The ferry leaves from Fairhaven Terminal in Bellingham and hits spots like:

• Ketchikan (the first stop, ~38 hours north)

• Wrangell

• Petersburg

• Juneau

• Haines

• Skagway

You can hop off, explore, and get back on with another ferry if you plan it right. Or stay on board and treat the trip like a floating cabin in the woods—with whales.

Pro tip: bring your own food and beverages. There’s a cafeteria, but if you're going Tim Ferriss-style, pack a cooler and make your own rules.

When to Go and How to Book

The ferry runs year-round, but if you want to stack the odds for peak wildlife sightings and clear skies, target May through September. Just be warned: locals book in advance.

👉 Book here: dot.alaska.gov/amhs

You’ll find full schedules, pricing, and cabin options. Yes—there are cabins. Yes—there are also solarium decks where you can sleep in a tent. Yes—you’re allowed to do that.

The Playbook

• Who’s it for? Anyone craving a slow, scenic detour from the beaten path. Digital nomads, writers, vanlifers, minimalist travelers.

• What to bring? Layers. Sleeping bag. Binoculars. Kindle. Your own snacks. And your sense of wonder, if you haven’t traded it for a neck pillow.

• Hack the system: Walk-on passengers are cheap and flexible. Bringing a vehicle? Book months in advance during summer.

Bottom line: If you’re bored with the way people travel—and you’re craving something between off-grid and first-class—book the Bellingham-to-Alaska ferry. It’s one of the few places left where the journey is the destination.