Point Defiance terminal
5810 North Pearl Street
Tacoma, WA 98405
When to arrive
The peak commute hours on this route are between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. with a 20-30 minute advance arrival suggested for vehicle traffic. For non-peak departures, a 20 minute advance arrival is suggested. Walk-on passengers should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to sailing.
Parking
Metropolitan Park Services handles adjacent parking.
Bikes
Bicyclists may bypass the line of vehicle traffic to get onto the lower ferry dock where they can secure their bike and purchase their tickets from the lower booth.
Bicyclists should arrive 20 minutes prior to departure time to be loaded at the beginning of loading process. If a bicyclist arrives after vehicle loading has begun, they will be loaded at the end of the load. Riders should walk their bikes on and off the ferry to avoid injuring passengers. The terminal has two lockers through Pierce Transit but no bike racks.
Transit
- Keep right on North Exit Dr. towards WA-99 / S. 170th St. / Freeway 518.
- Follow the road signs to the freeway. Drive north on WA-99 to enter eastbound on 518.
- You will need to get on I-5 South from 518, which you can find by following the road signs.
- Take I-5 south for approximately 18.7 miles to state route SR-525.
- From I-5 south, take exit 132, turn right onto the ramp towards WA-16/South 38th St./Gig Harbor, and stay on for 3.2 miles.
- Turn right(West) onto the ramp heading towards 6th Ave., then turn left onto 6th Ave.
- Turn right (North) onto North Pearl Street, and stay on for about 3 miles, North Pearl Street becomes SR-163 and ends at the ferry terminal.
- You will arrive at the terminal which is located at 5810 N. Pearl St.
Pierce Transit
Cameras
Point Defiance: Holding · Booth
