Rider information
The Water Taxi’s docks, passenger waiting areas, and vessels are accessible. If you need assistance boarding the vessel, please inform a crew member, or press the ADA assistance call button.
Bikes are welcome at no additional charge. Please walk your bike between the pier entrance and the vessel. Bicycles are limited to 73" long and 15" wide. Bags and trailers may need to be disconnected prior to being placed in the bike rack to allow more space. Bicycle capacity is limited to 18-26 bikes depending on the vessel.
If you have lost an item, please check with the crew within 24 hours. If more than 24 hours have elapsed, please fill out the Metro Transit Lost and Found form. Items will be held for 14 days. If you have found an item, please inform a crew member.
The King County Water Taxi is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
You may pay your fare with an ORCA card, debit/credit card, cash or mobile device.
- We cannot make change for those paying with cash.
- Download the Transit GO ticket app, to pay using your mobile device as you board.
- Credit/debit cards may only be used to purchase tickets from vending machines, located at all terminals
ORCA
ORCA is an electronic fare card used by seven Puget Sound-area transit agencies (King County Metro Transit, Kitsap Transit, Community Transit, Pierce Transit, Everett Transit, and Sound Transit) and Washington State Ferries. Learn more
How to purchase and load value onto an ORCA card:
- In person at Metro's Pass Sales Office or participating retailer
- Online at myORCA.com
- By phone at 206-624-PASS (7277)
If your ORCA card is loaded with an E-purse, your fare will be deducted from the transportation value in your E-purse. If you have a regional pass, the reader will recognize the trip value on your pass as fare payment.
If the trip value on your pass is less than the Water Taxi fare, you may pay the balance in cash. Example: the one-way ORCA fare to or from West Seattle is $5.00. If the transit pass on your ORCA card has a trip value of $2.25, you can use your ORCA card to pay part of the fare and pay the rest ($2.75) in cash.
ORCA LIFT reduced fare
The King County Water Taxi is now offering a reduced fare for passengers who have ORCA LIFT cards.
The ORCA LIFT fare is $3.00 per one-way trip on the West Seattle route and $3.75 per one-way trip on the Vashon Island route.
The ORCA LIFT card is available to anyone whose household income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level—about $23,340 annually for an individual living alone.
Learn more about the ORCA LIFT program and how to enroll at orcalift.com.
Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP)
Seniors (65 and older) and persons with disabilities may ride the King County Water Taxi at a reduced rate with a valid RRFP. Youth age 18 and under with disabilities ride free with a Youth ORCA card.
One personal care attendant may ride for free with this permit, but must board and leave with the reduced-fare passenger. In addition, the reduced-fare passenger must have an RRFP with “PCA” indicated. A youth with a disability can obtain a PCA sticker for their ORCA youth card.
Learn more about the RRFP, including eligibility requirements.
Dogs and cats are allowed on the Water Taxi, some restrictions apply. For more information please download our Pet policy.
The Water Taxi does not take reservations. Passengers board on a first-come, first-served basis.
Strollers and luggage are allowed aboard at no charge and must be properly stored. Please ask crew for assistance.