From Seattle via the Edmonds-Kingston ferry, the trip is roughly 2 hours excluding the ferry. This route includes passage over the Hood Canal Floating bridge which can be affected by naval exercises.

From Seattle via the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, the trip is roughly 3 hours.

Ferry Information for Drivers/Passengers from Canada and the US

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.

Driving Directions

Driving from Western Washington via the Edmonds-Kingston Ferry

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.

Driving from Western Washington via the Tacoma Narrows Bridge

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.

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 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.

Another alternative is to travel to Victoria and then take the COHO Ferry (http://www.cohoferry.com) to Port Angeles. A one way fare is approximately $10 and takes approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, but you should allow another hour for clearing Customs. The cab ride from the ferry dock is very short and you may have to explain to the taxi company that you have a lot of luggage and really do need a cab.

Flying

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), about halfway between Seattle and Tacoma, Washington is your best bet. Bellingham, Washington may be a better alternative for some. Pickup and carpooling to Esprit is sometimes an option. You can fly directly into Port Angeles but the choice of flights is limited. From the Port Angeles airport, a short and inexpensive (about $10) taxi will get you to the hotel.

Coming From Canada

Be forthright with the US Customs & Immigration, 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.

You WILL REQUIRE a passport or birth certificate with photo ID. Don't even think of leaving home without it. You will also require this to re-enter Canada.

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.

Before you head out on that major shopping spree, check the Canada Border Services Agency at http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/ for declarations and exemptions information. Or call for more specific information at 604-666-0545 (Vancouver, BC phone number). Outside the BC Lower Mainland area, call 1-800-461-9999.

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.

Sharing Costs

The Esprit-Exchange mailing list is a good way to hook up with potential travel or rooming partners or you can contact any of the sponsoring groups to try to get your inquiry passed amongst their members.

Car Rental and Shuttle Advice

Every major car rental company will provide a clean, reliable, and fairly new car. You can go to other rental companies to try to find cheaper used cars, but that is a little riskier because you may not know who you're dealing with, they may not have an 800 number for roadside assistance, the car may not be as reliable, etc.

Cars generally cost about $25 a day and you should usually choose an unlimited mileage plan (you only pay for gas). When returning the car, they expect the tank to be full. If you come across a station when returning the car, you can avoid the rental company's steep charges for topping off the tank.

Since you have some time before renting a car for Esprit, you might consider signing up for a "club membership" at any of the major rental companies. You will usually get a discount as a club member. Alternatively, you might have entertainment discount coupon books and these often have discount car rental rates. Weekly rates are generally cheaper than daily rates. If you work for a major company or the government, you may get a corporate discount rate just by showing company ID. Shop around and the numbers will sort themselves out. Rental car company web sites are often difficult to use so you may prefer to just talk to a rental advisor on the phone.

If you are traveling to Esprit by train or plane as your first leg, you won't have to worry about parking your own car. Rental companies have offices right at the station or airport. If you are driving part of the way on your own and then renting, you will need somewhere to put your own car and not all rental places have parking lots for that purpose.

If you're traveling en femme, call ahead to the actual office you will be renting from and have a word with the manager regarding ID. Find out if it is OK for a crossdresser heading to a convention to have ID that might have a photo that doesn't match the gender of the person renting the car. The manager should be able to make a note in your reservation record so you don't get hassled by whoever serves you. Expect to show lots of ID, proof of insurance, a driver's license, and your credit card or some other approved form of security deposit when you pick up the car.

Check with your own insurance company and find out whether rentals are covered. Ask your insurance company which of the rental company add-on insurance packages they recommend. At $10 each, these options add up. Another approach is to ask for a short-term coverage on your personal policy. Most insurance companies will add short-term rental coverage for a modest price. If you rent under a corporate/government rate, you might already be covered by a negotiated insurance package. Check with your employer and find out if it applies for a non-business rental.

All the major rental companies have good maps and computerized map stations that print out custom directions, but those don't always come up with the best answers. You should map out your route on your own and bring that with you and compare it with what their maps suggest. Also be prepared for detours along the way due to construction. Experience has shown that detours are well marked and generally not a problem, although they can result in a lot of extra distance traveled.

You can spend some extra money and get a car with a GPS navigation system. With those you get a computerized display that shows your location on a constantly updated map and the system alerts you to upcoming turns that you have to make. The guidance is, of course, dependent on whether the system has the latest map stored in its memory. But for most situations, these systems are great for getting around town or just getting a general feel for where you are.

You could consider a shuttle service. These will carry you door-to-door between any two points. However, since the price of a taxi or even a shared shuttle from Bothell to Sea-Tac (about an hour) is $50-$75, a shuttle that goes twice as far to the peninsula probably won't save you much money. On the other hand, if a worry-free trip is what you want, then the extra price is worth it and it is nice to be picked up by someone holding a sign with your name on it. Interestingly, there isn't much price difference between a taxi, a "limousine" service (actually just a very nice taxi), and a shared shuttle. Avoid the true luxury limousines because those are truly expensive. Limousines and taxis are private; shared shuttles will usually have you sitting with strangers. Esprit does not have any specific advice on good shuttle services so a web search and probing questions are the best guidance we can offer. And of course, if you really don't have to have a personal car (they usually just sit in the sun all week at the hotel or get used once or twice to go to the store), let people know what your travel plans are and maybe you will get a carpool offer.