OLYMPIA — Riding a Washington state ferry will cost more starting Oct. 1. The Washington State Transportation Commission has approved two 3% fare hikes—one this fall and another on May 1, 2026. A 35% summer surcharge will also take effect next year on all routes, except the San Juan Islands, which already have that rate.
Multi-ride passes will be valid for 120 days beginning next May, up from the current 90.
The fare changes are expected to generate $412.3 million over two years to meet state budget targets. They follow a 50-cent increase to the vessel replacement surcharge, raising it to $1 per ticket, and a new 3% credit card fee starting in March 2026.
Also on Oct. 1, transit operators will begin paying tolls on the SR 520 and Tacoma Narrows bridges, ending a longstanding exemption. School buses remain exempt.
Despite the increases, ridership is projected to grow by 6%, helped by restored service levels and delayed vessel conversions. Still, ferry use remains below pre-pandemic levels.