What it is

WA Ferry Buddy was founded in 2024 with the goals of increasing utilization of Washington State’s vehicle ferry system and improving travelers’ experience when planning their trips. Prior to WA Ferry Buddy, vehicle ferry reservations were provided on a first-come first-served basis until reservations were gone. When reservations were gone, all potential travelers had to either 1) repeatedly check in to see if reservation space had opened up, 2) wait until the next scheduled release, or 3) rely on limited standby space. As the existing reservation-holders’ plans changed, their spots may or may not have been filled with new customers. This reduced ferry utilization, required standby travelers to periodically check in to see if there had been cancellations, and reduced efficiency because of the unknown availability of standby space. WA Ferry Buddy saves travelers’ time by noting when they would like to travel and notifying them when there is space available. It also increases ferry utilization by using existing travel demand rather than waiting for new demand.

What it is not

A vehicle reservation booking system. All reservations must be made through Washington State Ferries.