Guides › Washington State › Bellingham, WA
City guide

Bellingham, WA

S. state of Washington.

Type City

Why go

  • City in Washington, United States.
  • Served by Bellingham International Airport (BLI).

History

Bellingham is a city in and the county seat of Whatcom County in the U.S. state of Washington. It lies 21 miles (34 km) south of the Canada–United States border, between Vancouver, British Columbia, 52 miles (84 km) to the northwest and Seattle 90 miles (140 km) to the south.

Airports

Bellingham International Airport (BLI) 4.1 mi to the centre
Bellingham, WA, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 2 airlines (Allegiant Air, Alaska Airlines) · direct flights to 9 destinations incl. Las Vegas, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Mesa, Oakland… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Serves Vancouver (43 mi) — the low-cost way in
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 2 airlines, 9 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) 20 mi to the centre
Abbotsford, BC, CA — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (WestJet) · direct flights to 2 destinations incl. Calgary, Edmonton (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 2 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Orcas Island Airport (ESD) 20 mi to the centre
Eastsound, WA, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (Kenmore Air) · direct flights to 1 destination incl. Friday Harbor (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 1 direct destination

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Anacortes Airport (OTS) 20 mi to the centre
Anacortes, WA, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Skagit Regional Airport (MVW) 20 mi to the centre
Burlington, WA, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Blakely Island Airport (BYW) 20 mi to the centre
Blakely Island, WA, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Bellingham
Ferry terminal · 2.7 mi from the centre · Alaska Marine Highway System
Outdoor
Bellingham Cruise Terminal
Ferry terminal · 2.7 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Gooseberry Point
Ferry terminal · 9.1 mi from the centre · Whatcom County
Outdoor
Lummi Island
Ferry terminal · 9.8 mi from the centre · Whatcom County
Outdoor
Alaska Marine Highway - Bellingham ↔ Ketchikan
Ferry route · Alaska Marine Highway
Outdoor
Bellingham - Ketchikan
Ferry route · Alaska Marine Highway
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Bellingham International Airport (BLI); 7 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: BLI has direct flights to 9 destinations on 2 airlines (incl. Las Vegas, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Mesa, Oakland…). By water: 4 ferry terminals within 12 mi (nearest: Bellingham, 2.7 mi); routes include Alaska Marine Highway - Bellingham ↔ Ketchikan, Bellingham - Ketchikan.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Bellingham, WA. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Local transit

Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data
Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data
Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach