Ferries, forest gardens & whale-country shores
This is leg 1 of 2, the opening leg.
Travel leg · Puget Sound Islands
Seattle to Bainbridge Island
Seattle and Bainbridge Island sit about 14 km (8.9 mi) apart in a straight line, with Bainbridge Island to the west. It is leg 1 of 2 on our Puget Sound Islands itinerary, a 5-day trip. This one most likely involves a water crossing, so check ferry schedules early.
- Straight-line distance
- 14 km · 8.9 mi
- Est. road distance
- Water crossing likely
- Est. drive time
- Not estimated
- Direction
- Heading west
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
This leg most likely crosses water, so we don’t estimate road distance or drive time. Check ferry or flight schedules for the actual crossing.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By ferry
Bainbridge Island most likely needs a water crossing from here, so start with ferry schedules. Sailings can vary by season.
Ferries do the heavy lifting. Seattle connects to Bainbridge Island by a short crossing, while reaching San Juan Island means a longer ferry trip from the mainland. You can go on foot or bring a car, and most visitors use local transit, taxis or rentals on the islands.
Open Seattle → Bainbridge Island directions in Google Maps ↗
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Bainbridge Island
A relaxed day trip from Seattle: walk Winslow from the ferry, then drive or bike to Bloedel and the memorial.
Seattle–Bainbridge ferry
35-minute ride across Elliott Bay with views of the skyline and Mount Rainier.
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
Free museum of Puget Sound contemporary art steps from the ferry.
Waterfront Park
Shoreline park on Eagle Harbor with a trail toward the ferry.
Blackbird Bakery
Winslow bakery and coffee shop since 1999.
Eleven Winery Tasting Room
Winslow tasting room of a Bainbridge winery founded in 2004.
Harbour Public House
Pub on Eagle Harbor marina with local seafood and beer.
Before you leave Seattle
Give Seattle one to two days: Pike Place and the waterfront first, Seattle Center in the afternoon, Kerry Park at sunset.
Pike Place Market
Century-old public market with fishmongers, produce stalls and the original market arcades over Elliott Bay.
Zig Zag Café
Classic cocktail bar tucked down the Pike Street Hillclimb steps below the market.
Seattle Art Museum
Downtown art museum with strong Northwest Coast Native and modern collections.
On this curated route
Where Seattle → Bainbridge Island sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Bainbridge Island to Seattle is the same 14 km in a straight line, heading east. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Seattle to Bainbridge Island: questions travelers ask
How far is Seattle from Bainbridge Island?
Seattle is about 14 km (8.9 mi) from Bainbridge Island in a straight line, with Bainbridge Island to the west. The trip most likely involves a water crossing, so the distance you actually travel depends on the ferry or flight route.
How long does it take to drive from Seattle to Bainbridge Island?
We don't estimate a drive time for this one: it most likely crosses water, so check ferry schedules before you plan the day.
Which itineraries include the trip from Seattle to Bainbridge Island?
Our Puget Sound Islands itinerary includes this leg. Puget Sound Islands runs about 5 days across 3 stops, best in May – Sep.
Onward from Bainbridge Island
Getting to Seattle
- Seattle to Snoqualmie Pass 72 km
- Seattle to Olympic NP 98 km
Guides for both ends
- Seattle travel guide
- Seattle weather best time to visit
- Bainbridge Island travel guide
- Bainbridge Island weather best time to visit
Bainbridge Island by month
- Bainbridge Island in January
- Bainbridge Island in February
- Bainbridge Island in March
- Bainbridge Island in April
- Bainbridge Island in May
- Bainbridge Island in June
- Bainbridge Island in July
- Bainbridge Island in August
- Bainbridge Island in September
- Bainbridge Island in October
- Bainbridge Island in November
- Bainbridge Island in December
Plan Seattle → Bainbridge Island with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.