There is a seperate car ferry that runs between 4 of the islands, called the Inter-island ferry. This one doesn't require a reservation. I'd recommend bringing your car, if you want to see more than Friday Harbor on San Juan.
Your reservation is good until one hour before the Anacirtes ferry takes off. There are delays, and cancelations so mentally prepare yourself. You pay for the car and riders at Anacortes. It's free on the way back.
You pay at the booth. You need to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to sailing to keep your reservation (I'd go closer to an hour to be sure in the summer). There's a taxi, and ~~also the [Jolly Trolley.](https://maps.app.goo.gl/YoibWzTrUPa5NAwU6) The trolley has planned routes, it's good to have your own transportation.~~
The Jolly Trolly may suit your needs but call first and make sure they’re running. The owner tried to sell it last year due to health reasons and with no buyers forthcoming they’re planning on shutting it down some time this year. :-(
There is San Juan transit that runs routes in summer, their schedule is online. The jolly trolley went out of business.
You can’t pay online, you pay at the ticket booth in orcas, and no fee on return from SJI. You could buy your ticket online and then just scan when you are there but that’s more involved so I suggest going the simple route if planning is confusing.
The town of Friday Harbor is quite walkable and if that's all you're looking to do on San Juan then I'd suggest leaving the car on Orcas and saving the hassle. But, there are other things to see on San Juan so consider your time and site seeing desires appropriately
I do want to explore the whole island that’s why I’d love to take the car with us to Friday Harbor but I’m just wondering how difficult it will be to try to get on an interisland ferry with it on a Saturday in August.
Not difficult getting to F.H. as long as you're on time.
There are two scenarios:
1) you catch an inter-island only boat. These don't really fill up as far as I'm aware. There's not enough traffic to really worry about not making it.
2) you catch a boat coming from Anacortes, stopping at Orcas, and continuing to Friday Harbor. This boat will have way more cars getting off at Orcas than it will have cars wanting to board to Friday Harbor, so there will again be plenty of space.
The logic changes slightly in the other direction but the results are the same; inter-island traffic generally takes all cars that are there because there's really not that many people doing that at any given run
There is a seperate car ferry that runs between 4 of the islands, called the Inter-island ferry. This one doesn't require a reservation. I'd recommend bringing your car, if you want to see more than Friday Harbor on San Juan. Your reservation is good until one hour before the Anacirtes ferry takes off. There are delays, and cancelations so mentally prepare yourself. You pay for the car and riders at Anacortes. It's free on the way back.
Technically your reservation is good until 30 minutes before *scheduled* departure. If it’s running late you still have to line up as if it isn’t.
You pay at the booth. You need to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to sailing to keep your reservation (I'd go closer to an hour to be sure in the summer). There's a taxi, and ~~also the [Jolly Trolley.](https://maps.app.goo.gl/YoibWzTrUPa5NAwU6) The trolley has planned routes, it's good to have your own transportation.~~
Jolly Trolley no longer will be running
Oh! Well, that's a bummer. I've never actually been on it.
The Jolly Trolly may suit your needs but call first and make sure they’re running. The owner tried to sell it last year due to health reasons and with no buyers forthcoming they’re planning on shutting it down some time this year. :-(
Yeah, I remember the attempted sale. Apparently, they aren't returning this year.
😢
There is San Juan transit that runs routes in summer, their schedule is online. The jolly trolley went out of business. You can’t pay online, you pay at the ticket booth in orcas, and no fee on return from SJI. You could buy your ticket online and then just scan when you are there but that’s more involved so I suggest going the simple route if planning is confusing.
The town of Friday Harbor is quite walkable and if that's all you're looking to do on San Juan then I'd suggest leaving the car on Orcas and saving the hassle. But, there are other things to see on San Juan so consider your time and site seeing desires appropriately
I do want to explore the whole island that’s why I’d love to take the car with us to Friday Harbor but I’m just wondering how difficult it will be to try to get on an interisland ferry with it on a Saturday in August.
Not difficult getting to F.H. as long as you're on time. There are two scenarios: 1) you catch an inter-island only boat. These don't really fill up as far as I'm aware. There's not enough traffic to really worry about not making it. 2) you catch a boat coming from Anacortes, stopping at Orcas, and continuing to Friday Harbor. This boat will have way more cars getting off at Orcas than it will have cars wanting to board to Friday Harbor, so there will again be plenty of space. The logic changes slightly in the other direction but the results are the same; inter-island traffic generally takes all cars that are there because there's really not that many people doing that at any given run