If you are visiting the San Juan Islands but don’t have a reservation for your car, don’t want to worry about transportation. You can park your car at the Anacortes Ferry Terminal and travel on the ferry as a walk-on passenger without missing any of the beauty that San Juan Island has to offer. If you are interested in renting a car once you get to the island — for the day or your entire trip — you have a few options to choose from. There are also mopeds, bikes, and seasonal shuttle busses to get you where you want to go. Let’s explore!
Transportation Option A: Susie’s Mopeds
Susie’s Mopeds is open seasonally from March through October. They offer mopeds and three-wheeled scoot coupes, as well as several Chevy Trackers, for rent by the hour or the day. Susie’s recommends making a reservation ahead of time, and in the colder months they offer blankets to take along on your ride, so you don’t have to worry about catching a chill during your island adventure.
The mopeds and scoot coupes are great options for you if you are looking to have a little adventure on the island. You’ll have the fresh sea air blowing through your hair while you take in this beautiful island. Cruise around on a moped or, if you are enjoying a romantic trip for two or are traveling with younger children in tow, consider the scoot coupe as an option. They seat two people and are safer for children. The scoot coupe sits low to the ground and resembles a large g- cart (or a small Volkswagen bug with the top down!). The Chevy Trackers offer convertible tops and will get you to get from point A to B anywhere on the island without any worry. They can seat up to four people. Check the website for current pricing and availability.
Transportation Option B: M&W Auto
M&W Auto is our local car rental company. They offer a range of vehicles to rent for just the day or longer. M&W Auto is open year-round, so if you are a fall or winter traveler, they have you covered.
M&W offers a few options for you to choose from. If you are a solo traveler or on a vacation with the entire family, their vehicles will be able to accommodate all of you. Their smaller cars are $49.95 a day in the winter months and $59.95 in the summer months and can accommodate up to four people. Their medium-sized cars are $55 a day in the winter months and $65 in the summer months. This is an SUV-style car that will seat up to five people comfortably. Their larger cars are $59 a day in the winter and $69 a day in the summer and are going to be your minivans and larger SUVs. M&W Auto also offers an eco-friendly Smart car that seats two people comfortably. These are $47.95 all year round.
Transportation Option C: Meat Machine Cycles
If you are looking for the ultimate in eco-friendly island travel, Meat Machine Cycles offers a selection of high-end bikes for rent. Each rental includes a helmet, lock, flat tire kit, trunk bag, and — upon request — specialty pedals and lights. Reservations can be made online via their website and are available from May through August, the peak of the travel season here on the islands. Travel throughout the island at your pace. A basic bike costs $30 for same-day pickup and return and $20 for each subsequent day. These bikes are great for casual rides through town or to get to and from your desired location. A carbon fiber road bike costs $60 for same-day pickup and return and $30 for each subsequent day. These bikes will get you anywhere on the island with ease and comfort.
Meat Machine Cycles also offers E-Bikes. E-Bikes are electric-powered bikes perfect for traveling longer distances faster without the noise and pollution of a car. An E-Bike rental costs $55 per day. They are cost-effective and you’ll be able to get a break every once in a while with a bit of an electric boost. Even if it sounds intimidating at first, they are just like riding a human-powered bike. You just get a little extra help when it is most needed.
Transportation Option D: Jolly Trolly
Oh, the joys of the Jolly Trolly! Not only does it put a smile on your face just saying “Jolly Trolly,” but once you step aboard you know you are going to have a joyful experience. The Jolly Trolly is a locally run transit service that started about five years ago. They currently have seven trolleys and plan on buying a few more for the seasons to come. The Jolly Trolly is an open-air trolley that takes you to all of the popular destinations in Friday Harbor such as the Ferry Landing, Pelindaba Lavender Farm, Lime Kiln State Park, Roche Harbor Resort, and many more. The service is a wonderful experience for riders of all ages.
The trolly runs from May through September. They begin service at 10:30 a.m. and pick up at the Ferry Terminal every hour. The last loop ends in Friday Harbor around 6:00 p.m. Everybody riding the trolly pays a $20 ticket price to be able to hop on and off all day long.
When staying at The Tucker House Inn & Harrison Suites, you will also have the option to borrow one of our bikes, which are freely available for guest use on a first-come/first-served basis. We are located right in the heart of Friday Harbor, making the town easily accessible on foot as well. We can’t wait to have you stay with us!
