How much does it cost to visit Mackinac Island? Well, that depends. You can stay in the luxurious four-bedroom Masco Cottage at Grand Hotel with a personal chef, fully stocked bar and a private outdoor hot tub for about $5,000 a night. Or a discounted rate of around $30,000 a week.
On the other hand, you can find a room elsewhere on Mackinac Island for a mid-week stay in spring or fall for just $100 a night.
There’s a variety of ways to experience the charming beauty of Mackinac Island, and at a range of price points. To give you a general idea of the kinds of costs you might incur on a trip to Mackinac Island, here’s a rundown:
Transportation Costs on Mackinac Island
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- What you’ll notice right away is that there are no cars on Mackinac Island. Because you can’t drive all the way here, most Mackinac Island visitors arrive by ferry boat from the mainland. You can get a round-trip ferry ticket for about $30 per adult, with cheaper rates for kids and even free boarding for young children and pets. Here’s where to catch the ferry to Mackinac Island.
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- Flying to Mackinac Island is also a great option. It’s a little more expensive, with rates upwards of $35 for one-way service from St. Ignace, but the 7-minute flight makes for a memorable experience.
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- Whether you take a plane or a ferry boat, the primary ways of getting around Mackinac Island once you arrive are by horse, bicycle and foot. You can take your own bike on the ferry for under $15 or rent a bicycle from one of several vendors on Mackinac Island. Rates are available by the hour, half-day, full day or for 24 hours. A popular activity is to bike all the way around the outer rim of Mackinac Island, which takes about an hour-and-a-half at a leisurely pace. Here’s what it costs to rent a bike on Mackinac Island.
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- Horse-drawn taxis are available on Mackinac Island by calling the dispatch office and requesting a ride. Fares typically range from $5 to $10 per person depending on where you want to go, with half-price rates for kids.
Cost to Spend the Night on Mackinac Island
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- Since there are no chain hotels on Mackinac Island, each hotel, resort, B&B, condo and cottage offers a unique experience. Prices vary based on location and services offered. For example, full-service resorts including Grand Hotel, Island House and Mission Point Resort tend to cost more than hotels because they offer more on-site amenities to enjoy during your stay. Check out this post on Choosing Where to Stay on Mackinac Island: B&Bs, Condos, Cottages, Homes, Hotels and Resorts.
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- Generally, prices to stay overnight on Mackinac Island are lower in the spring and fall and higher in the summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Be aware that some accommodations require a 2-night minimum stay at certain times of the year or on certain days of the week.
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- Mackinac Island specials can save you time and money. In some cases, you may be able to get a discount on ferry tickets, narrated horse-drawn carriage tours and admission to historic Fort Mackinac by booking them as part of a lodging reservation.
RELATED: How many nights should you stay on Mackinac Island?
Dining Costs on Mackinac Island
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- Just like lodging, there are places to eat for all tastes and all budgets on Mackinac Island. Check out the Mackinac Island Dining Guide for a look at menu pricing.
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- Of course, samples of world-famous Mackinac Island fudge are always free!
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- Mackinac Island is home to Doud’s Market, which is the oldest grocery store in America. You can find all the ingredients you need for a picnic on the water, in Marquette Park or atop Mackinac Island’s highest point at Fort Holmes. Here are 9 ‘absolutely stunning’ places for a picnic on Mackinac Island.
Cost of Activities on Mackinac Island
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- A narrated horse-drawn carriage tour of Mackinac Island is perhaps the most popular attraction. The tour lasts almost two hours and costs less than $40 for adults and under $20 for kids.
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- Visiting Mackinac Island’s historic Fort Mackinac is a memorable experience for all ages. The fort that dates to 1780 features some of the oldest buildings in Michigan and offers an eye-opening look into the past. Admission costs about $15 for adults and $10 for kids and includes entry into several other Mackinac State Historic Parks attractions including the Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, the Biddle House Mackinac Island Native American Museum and the attractions in Historic Downtown Mackinac.
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- There’s lots of outdoor recreation to enjoy on Mackinac Island including horseback riding, kayaking, fishing, golf and more, with costs varying by activity. There’s also lots to do for free in Mackinac Island State Park including sightseeing at famous rock formations such as the incredible Arch Rock and Sugar Loaf.
There’s no one way or single price point to enjoy the historic charm and natural beauty of Mackinac Island. Find a place to stay and start planning your own unique itinerary on Mackinac Island.
