Travel Information

Hood Canal Bridge Closure

The Hood Canal Bridge, part of Highway 104, is scheduled to close for 6 weeks starting in May 2009. More information on alternate routes is available at the Washington Department of Transportation site bridge closure site.

Passports

For airline travel, a passport is required. By land or sea, a passport is the only 100% secure way and you may have difficulties if you only have a driver's license and birth certificate. These rules also apply for the traditional Tuesday trip to Victoria BC. Because regulations are changing frequently and vary by modes of travel, we strongly recommend that you review the US and Canadian Immigration and Customs rules that apply to your situation. In particular, if you need to apply for a passport, there is a significant processing delay and your application needs to be submitted as early as possible. See below for links to more information.

General Recommendations

Port Angeles is on the Olympic Peninsula and can only be reached by driving and a ferry or by driving up the west side of Puget Sound. Driving is usually the most straightforward and enjoyable way to for most attendees to travel, especially if you can arrange carpools with friends, your sponsoring club, or through Esprit-Exchange. There are buses and small commuter planes but luggage can be a challenge, there will be extra inconvenience due to transfers/taxis, and there may not even be any cost or time savings.

The Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce page has good travel reference information.

By Car

Driving from Western Washington via the Edmonds-Kingston Ferry Note: this route will only apply if the Hood Canal Bridge closure is delayed.

Take I-5 to Exit 181 (just south of the I-5/I-405 junction). Follow signs to Edmonds-Kingston ferry. After the ferry, follow Hwy. 104 to the Hood Canal Floating Bridge. Cross it, continue on Hwy. 104 to junction with Hwy. 101. Follow Hwy. 101 north to Port Angeles. The Red Lion Hotel is on your right as you reach the center of town. The travel time is about 2 hours plus a 30 minute ferry and any ferry wait.

Driving from Western Washington via the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Note: this route will only apply if the Hood Canal Bridge closure is delayed.

Take I-5 to the 38th Street exit in Tacoma. Follow 38th street (Hwy 16) to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. After crossing the bridge, stay on Hwy 16 to the junction with Hwy 3. Take Hwy 3 North to the junction with Hwy 104. Turn West and follow Hwy. 104 to the Hood Canal Floating Bridge. Cross it, continue on Hwy. 104 to junction with Hwy. 101. Follow Hwy. 101 north to Port Angeles. The Red Lion Hotel is on your right as you reach the center of town. The travel time is about 3 hours.

Driving from Canada and Bellingham

Take I-5 south. Just before Mount Vernon, take exit 230 and follow Hwy. 20 West to Oak Harbor. In Oak Harbor, stay in right lane; continue on Hwy. 20 West. Follow signs to Keystone-Port Townsend ferry. Note: Hwy 20 is narrow and winding and goes through a state park, so don't expect to make great time. Also be prepared for a one- or two-sailing wait on the ferry. After the ferry, follow Hwy. 20 to junction with Hwy. 101. Follow Hwy. 101 north to Port Angeles. The Red Lion Hotel is on your right as you reach the center of town. The travel time is about 5.5 hours excluding the ferry and border check.

By Ferry

The Washington State Ferries web site has information on routes, schedules, fares and approximate wait times. They also have (almost) live pictures of the waiting areas at the various ferry terminal waiting areas.

The Coho Ferry and Victoria Express from Victoria BC drop you off at the Port Angeles ferry terminal 2 blocks from the Red Lion in Port Angeles. You'll probably want a taxi for your luggage.

By Air

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), about halfway between Seattle and Tacoma, Washington is the major airport for flying into the region.

Kenmore Air offers frequent flights between Port Angeles and Boeing Field in Seattle. Shuttle or taxi service from Sea-Tac and Boeing Field can be arranged.

By Bus

Olympic Bus Lines, a division of Greyhound, has a route that runs between Port Angeles, Seattle, and Sea-Tac.

Traveling Across the Border

Be forthright with the immigration and customs officials, produce real ID when asked, and you shouldn't have any trouble. They've seen it all before.

Travelling en femme seems to work best. Telling them you're going to a crossdressing convention is easier than trying to explain a trunk full of women's clothes.

Due to increasing border security requirements, at this time you WILL REQUIRE at least a passport. Don't even think of leaving the country without it. You are encouraged to research both US and Canada travel authorities to see what requirements may apply in your specific situation.

If you're in transition, try to get all your ID to match up before you leave. If that's not possible, arm yourself with the best you've got. Get a letter from your doctor explaining your situation. If you're bringing medication or hormones with you, make sure the letter explains that.

When entering the US, your vehicle and belongings may be subject to inspection. A straightforward, honest, cooperative attitude generally works best. Again, they have seen it all before.

You may be asked if you have a criminal record.

For rules on ID and customs declarations, we suggest the following resources:

Canadian Immigration: http://www.cic.gc.ca
Canada Border Services Agency: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Canada Revenue Agency: http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca
US Customs & Border Protection home: http://www.cbp.gov
US Customs & Border Protection (quick reference): http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/ready_set_go

Maps

Click for a map to the hotel and driving instructions to Esprit.

Red Lion at 221 N. Lincoln St. to Naval Elks Lodge at 131 E. 1st St.	Red Lion at 221 N. Lincoln St. to Port Angeles Community Playhouse at 1235 E. Lauridsen Blvd.