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6449 Old Pietila Road
Clinton, WA 98326
The Whidbey Institute and the Chinook Lands are a little over an hour from Seattle, including a fifteen minute ferry ride from Mukilteo, on the mainland, to Clinton on Whidbey Island. Whidbey Island is an incredibly long island, and many of the back roads can be a bit confusing. For your own sense of peace and well-being, we suggest you follow the below directions and DO NOT access GPS, Mapquest or online maps, as they might take you astray.
The drive may take longer than one hour if traffic is heavy and/or the ferry wait is long.
Drive north on I-5. Take exit 182 for SR-525 and follow for 9.3 miles to the Mukilteo ferry terminal. As you approach the terminal you will be directed to enter the ferry lane on the right hand side. Do not attempt to cut in line after this section, as you will be ticketed.
Drive south on I-5. Just South of Everett on I-5, take the exit to SR-526, and follow it to the Mukilteo Ferry. As you approach the terminal you will be directed to enter the ferry lane. Do not attempt to cut in line after this section, as you will be ticketed.
Monday through Thursday, the ferry departs from Mukilteo on the hour and half hour beginning at 5a.m. until 9 p.m. and every hour on the hour after 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, the ferry departs on the hour and half hour until 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. This is a heavily traveled route and you may have to wait for the next ferry between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Ferry information is also available on the Internet at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.
The closest major airport is Seattle – Tacoma International (Sea-Tac). From the airport, you may take a rental car and follow the directions above. Or you may wish to take an airport shuttle, limousine or rail service.
Whidbey-SeaTac Shuttle
877-679-4003 (toll-free)
360-679-4003
http://www.seatacshuttle.com
This is our local island shuttle, and round-trips may be scheduled for approximately $65. Senior discounts are available. One-way trips are also available. If four or more people are scheduled for the same shuttle, they will pick-up and drop-off here at the Institute. Otherwise, drop-off is close by and arrangements will need to be made for pick-up through your program facilitator. They also run private charters, which are quoted on an individual basis depending on time, mileage, number of passengers, etc. This price includes the cost of the ferry. For more information and reservations, please call a minimum of 1 week in advance.
Shuttle Express
800-487-7433 (toll-free in WA)
425-981-7000 local
www.shuttleexpress.com
From the airport terminal follow signs for shuttle services. The cost is approx $32 per person and does not include the price of the ferry. They will transport you to the Mukilteo/Clinton ferry. You will need to walk onto the ferry as a foot passenger, carrying your luggage, after you have purchased a ferry ticket. This service can sometimes take a while as it may make several stops before reaching Mukilteo. NOTE: Please be sure your driver knows you are going to the MUKILTEO Ferry, as there are a number of ferries in the Puget Sound region. Pick-up on the Clinton side will need to be arranged by you using a taxi or other ride share means.
All Island Express Taxi
360-341-8294
This is a local island taxi serving the South end of Whidbey Island. They provide direct pick-up and drop-off from/to the ferry or from the Whidbey Sea-Tac Shuttle drop-off/pick-up points. Drivers are familiar with Whidbey Institute.
Light Rail & Bus Option
It is also possible to combine the new Sea Tac Light Rail to downtown Seattle and transfer on to either a bus or light rail up to Mukilteo to catch the ferry. The connections between the two will depend on your arrival or departure times at Sea Tac Airport.
The following links should help you:
