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Ferry crossing

Tahlequah (Vashon Island) to Point Defiance (Tacoma)

Washington State Ferries runs 18 to 20 sailings a day from Tahlequah (Vashon Island) to Point Defiance (Tacoma), the first at 05:30 and the last at 22:55. The crossing takes about 15 minutes, and no fare is charged in this direction.

FromTahlequah (Vashon Island)
15m
ToPoint Defiance (Tacoma)

Sailing times

Tahlequah (Vashon Island) to Point Defiance (Tacoma) timetable

As published by the operators. Times shift with the season and are suspended in heavy weather — confirm at the terminal before you travel.

From Washington State Ferries's published timetable, which runs until . The next one starts , and the page switches to it that day.

Sailing on

133 sailings a week in all. Pick a day to see only its sailings.

Sailing times for Tahlequah (Vashon Island) to Point Defiance (Tacoma)
DepartsArrivesRuns onCrossing
05:3005:45Mon–Fri15m
06:2006:35Daily15m
07:1007:25Daily15m
08:0008:15Daily15m
08:5009:05Daily15m
09:4009:55Daily15m
10:3010:45Daily15m
11:2011:35Daily15m
12:1012:25Daily15m
13:0013:15Fri–Sun15m
14:1014:25Daily15m
15:1015:25Daily15m
16:0516:20Daily15m
17:0017:15Daily15m
18:0018:15Daily15m
19:0019:15Daily15m
20:0020:15Daily15m
21:0021:15Daily15m
22:0022:15Daily15m
22:5523:10Mon–Wed, Fri–Sun15m
Coming backPoint Defiance (Tacoma) → Tahlequah (Vashon Island)133 a week · 15m · from US$7.60

Published fares

What it costs

Every fare the operators publish on this crossing, for passengers and vehicles.

Passengers

Passengers fares
ClassOperatorFare
Adult (age 19 - 64)Washington State FerriesNo charge
Senior (age 65 & over) / DisabilityWashington State FerriesNo charge
Youth (age 18 and under)Washington State FerriesNo charge

Vehicles

Vehicles fares
ClassOperatorFare
Bicycle Surcharge Only (19 and over)Washington State FerriesNo charge
Motorcycle & Driver / Stowage FareWashington State FerriesNo charge
Motorcycle & Senior/Disability Driver / Stowage FareWashington State FerriesNo charge
Vehicle U14' (less than 168") & Sr/Disability DriverWashington State FerriesNo charge
Vehicle U22' (standard veh) & Sr/Disability DriverWashington State FerriesNo charge
Vehicle Under 14' (less than 168") & DriverWashington State FerriesNo charge
Vehicle Under 22' (standard veh) & DriverWashington State FerriesNo charge
Vehicle Under 30' Over 7'2 in.Washington State FerriesNo charge
Vehicle Under 30' Under 7'2 in.Washington State FerriesNo charge
Vehicle Under 40'Washington State FerriesNo charge
Vehicle Under 50'Washington State FerriesNo charge
Vehicle Under 60'Washington State FerriesNo charge
Vehicle Under 70'Washington State FerriesNo charge
Vehicle Under 80'Washington State FerriesNo charge

Fares as published by the operators, in USD, last checked . Vehicle fares rise in the summer season, and some crossings collect the fare in one direction only — a "No charge" row is the operator's own entry, not a gap.

About this crossing

Tahlequah is an unstaffed landing at the south end of Vashon, where the island's highway runs out. It has no waiting room, no toilets and no ticket sales, and WSF's terminal crew arrive on the boat. Nobody pays on this leg, since the round trip is collected at Point Defiance on the way to the island. A park-and-ride sits next to the dock, and King County Metro buses stop at the landing. Passengers who need help boarding should read our accessible travel guide and allow for the lack of shore facilities.

Common questions

How long is the ferry from Tahlequah (Vashon Island) to Point Defiance (Tacoma)?
About 15 minutes on the published timetable.
How many ferries a day go from Tahlequah (Vashon Island) to Point Defiance (Tacoma)?
Between 18 and 20 a day, depending on the day of the week. The most run on Friday. The first boat leaves at 05:30 and the last at 22:55, local time.
Who runs the ferry from Tahlequah (Vashon Island) to Point Defiance (Tacoma)?
Washington State Ferries runs this crossing. Tickets are sold by the operator; this site lists the timetable and does not sell them.
How much is the ferry from Tahlequah (Vashon Island) to Point Defiance (Tacoma)?
No passenger fare is collected in this direction. Vehicles travel without a fare in this direction. Prices as the operator published them on 1 August 2026.

Other crossings at Tahlequah (Vashon Island)

Before you sail

Reading for this crossing

The rules and the practicalities the timetable cannot tell you.

All guides