How much does it cost to go to Mackinac Island?

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 $4,675 a night. Or a discounted rate of $27,400 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 under $100 a night.

There’s a variety of ways to experience the charming beauty of Mackinac Island, and at a variety of price points. But 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

  • Mackinac Island is special in that automobiles are prohibited. Most Mackinac Island visitors arrive by ferry boat from the mainland, departing in either Mackinaw City at the northern tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula or St. Ignace at the southern tip of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. You can get a round-trip ferry ticket for under $30 per adult, with cheaper rates for kids and even free boarding for young children and pets.

• • Flying into Mackinac Island is also a great option. It’s a little more expensive, with rates ranging from $35 to $45 for one-way service from St. Ignace, but the 7-minute flight makes for a memorable experience.

• • 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 (about $10), half-day (about $40), full day (about $60) or for 24 hours (about $75). 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.

• • 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.

• Places to Stay

  • Since there are no chain hotels on Mackinac Island, each hotel, resort, B&B, condo and cottage offers a unique lodging 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. View different types of Mackinac Island lodging here.

• • 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.

• • Mackinac Island lodging packages and deals 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.

• Dining

  • 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.

• • Of course, samples of world-famous Mackinac Island fudge are always free!

• • 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.

• Activities

  • A narrated horse-drawn carriage tour of Mackinac Island is perhaps the most popular attraction. The tour lasts almost two hours and costs about $30 for adults and $10 for kids.

• • 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 in 2021 is $13.50 for adults and $8 for kids and includes entry into the Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, the Biddle House Mackinac Island Native American Museum and the attractions in Historic Downtown Mackinac.

• • 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 including the incredible Arch Rock and Sugar Loaf.

There’s no one way 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.