How much does it cost to take the ferry boat to Mackinac Island?
How much does it cost to take the ferry from
$34. Save $2 off the regular adult ticket price of $36 by purchasing online in advance of your Mackinac Island visit! Tickets valid for any date and departure during the 2024 season. All round-trip tickets are entirely non-refundable and reservations not needed.
Star Line. Star Line is the area's only fast, frequent, fun and friendly Hydro-Jet Ferry service with a direct line to and from Mackinac Island. Founded in 1978, the Star Line Ferry Service offers rich history, with a new, comfortable flare.
Two ferry companies service Mackinac Island with rides that take 16 to 18 minutes and bring you right into the heart of town. Day-trippers can park their car for free in designated ferry lots in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace. For overnight guests, Mackinac Island ferry companies offer a range of parking options.
Are reservations required? No. All ferry tickets are valid for any departure from either Mackinaw City or St. Ignace during the current navigational season (April 21 – October 31, 2023).
What is the cheapest ferry to Mackinac Island? Two main ferry companies serve Mackinac Island: Shepler's Ferry and Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry. The cheapest option is to take the Star Line ferry, which costs $18 round-trip for adults and $9 for children. The ferry ride is about 40 minutes each way.
- Avoid peak times - If you can, avoid booking at times of peak demand, such as during school holidays.
- Book in advance - Generally, the lowest fares are available when you book in advance.
Otherwise, prices are about the same (unless you have a package deal from one of the island hotels). They won't sell out, but depending on the time of day, you could have a wait (which you would whether you buy tickets online or not). I would suggest getting to the ferry line as early in the day as possible.
In fact, in some ways, October is the best time of year to visit Mackinac Island! After all, you can still relive what it was like to be here in the 1800s by spending a day at historic Fort Mackinac.
Because if you miss that boat, then you'll be spending an unplanned night on Mackinac Island! Once that last boat leaves, there's no looking back. The ferries won't return until early the next morning. The time the last ferry leaves the dock on Mackinac Island varies over the course of the season.
How much does it cost to stay in the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island?
| Weekday: Sunday – Thursday | Weekend: Friday – Saturday |
|---|---|
| Double: Rates starting at $359.00 per person, per night | Double: Rates starting at $395.00 per person, per night |
| Single: Rates starting at $643.00 per night | Single: Rates starting at $715.00 per night |
For a relaxed visit that gives you time to really get to know Mackinac Island, you may want to consider spending an entire weekend, or even an entire week.
Your car – Ask someone what they know about Mackinac Island, and you'll likely hear that there's lots of fudge, bicycles, and horses, but no cars. Since 1901, cars have been banned in Mackinac Island State Park. There are numerous accounts of early automobiles causing problems with horses and carriages.
Tolls for vehicles crossing the Mackinac Bridge have been set at $2.00 per axle or $4.00 per car. This includes passenger cars, motorcycles, station wagons, SUVs, pick-ups, vans, and school buses. Other vehicles (tractor trailers, buses, step or cube vans, and motor homes) cost $5.00 per axle.
Ignace is much cheaper. But you get what you pay for in a lot of cases. Thanks to all for your advice. We will pick Mac City for the night before and then ferry over for a few days on the island!
If you decide to make your way around the coast of Mackinac Island, walking will take approximately 2.5-4 hours without stopping. You can also bring your own bicycle or rent one from one of the many bicycle shops located on Mackinac Island. It will take you approximately 1 hour to bike without stopping.
Passenger Vehicle – $2.00 per axle or $4.00 per car
Passenger car, van, motorcycle, station wagon, SUV, pick-up truck, and school bus. (A van is a two-axle four tire vehicle not primarily intended for carrying cargo or commercial goods.)
Day Guest Parking
Guests departing St. Ignace for a day trip have two choices for day parking. These include complimentary day parking in our Premium Dock Lot until midnight, or indoor self-park also at our dock for $50 per day/night.
Many people choose to stay in Mackinaw City vs. on Mackinac Island. It's a lot less expensive and regardless of where you stay, you still need to take the ferry over to Mackinac Island. Mackinaw City has more modern, less expensive rooms and more extensive night life.
Plus you will get to explore a little more of the country at the same time! Sail during the week. Generally a Tuesday is the cheapest day to sail, closely followed by Wednesday and then Thursday.
When should I book ferry tickets?
Ferry bookings can be made any time, even up to the day of the travel. However, if you wish to book in advance for your own peace of mind, this is fine too. All ferry companies differ about when you can actually make a commercial ferry booking. These can range from 2 months to 7 days in advance.
Tips for restaurant staff on Mackinac Island
Just as you would tip wait staff and bartenders at a sit-down restaurant off the island, you should tip 18% of your bill on Mackinac Island – and 20% or more for excellent service.
The Mackinac Bridge currently accepts the following payment types at our toll booths: cash, credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. If you are a frequent crosser or would like the convenience of a prepaid account, check out our MacPass.
Is transportation provided between the ferry docks and the hotel? Grand Hotel is a 15- to 20-minute walk from the boat docks. For your convenience, Grand Hotel operates horse-drawn carriages between the docks and the hotel.
Memorial Day is the beginning of peak tourism season on Mackinac Island. From the end of May through the beginning of September, there's a buzz and excitement as visitors from around the world flock to enjoy the distinctive traits of Mackinac Island.
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