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Getting to Mackinac Island

Many people around the world have heard of Mackinac Island, but not everyone knows where Mackinac Island is. The Crown Jewel of the Great Lakes is right between Michigan’s two peninsulas, the Upper Peninsula and the Lower Peninsula.

Because Mackinac Island is surrounded by water with no bridge to the mainland, most visitors arrive by ferry boat. Some visitors catch a plane to Mackinac Island Airport, while others may even dock a private boat in the Mackinac Island harbor. Whatever route you take to Mackinac Island, getting here is part of the adventure!

Common Ways to Get to Mackinac Island

Here’s a rundown on the most common ways of making your way to Mackinac Island including ferries, flying to Mackinac Island, and taking a personal boat to the island.

 

Ferry Boats to Mackinac Island

For visitors who plan to arrive on Mackinac Island by ferry boat, there is service from both Mackinaw City, south of the Mackinac Bridge in the Lower Peninsula and St. Ignace, north of the Mackinac Bridge in the Upper Peninsula.

Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry and Arnold Transit Company offer passenger ferries back and forth from the mainland every 30 minutes or so during the primary tourist season, from late April through the end of October. Find answers to your ferry questions below.

Your luggage will come on the ferry to Mackinac Island with you, and you also may bring a leashed pet and your own bicycle on board if you wish. Once your ferry boat arrives at Mackinac Island, you can retrieve your luggage and bring it to your place of lodging. Some places to stay will have dock porters take care of your luggage for you and bring it from the ferry docks to your room. Horse-drawn taxi service is available.

Fly Directly to Mackinac Island

Instead of taking a ferry to Mackinac Island, some visitors choose to fly into Mackinac Island Airport with their personal plane or the air taxi service offered by Fresh Air Aviation from St. Ignace. The flight takes about 7 minutes. At some times during the winter when the water freezes in the Straits of Mackinac, flying is the only way to reach Mackinac Island for visitors and locals alike. Don't forget to order a horse-drawn taxi to take you and yours to town!

Yes, you can fly to Mackinac Island

Nearby Airports to Mackinac Island

Visitors taking a commercial flight into Michigan have several options for making their way to Mackinac Island. The closest airports are Pellston Regional Airport (PLN), 20 minutes south of Mackinaw City and Chippewa County International Airport (CIU), 30 minutes north of St. Ignace offer shuttle services to the Mackinac Island ferry docks. Traverse City Airport (TVC) is another popular regional airport 2 hours south of Mackinaw City.

Mackinaw Shuttle and Northern Transport & Shuttle both offer shuttle services. Renting a car for transportation to the ferry docks is also an option.

Charter flights directly to Mackinac Island Airport are also available from nearby airports around Michigan through Fresh Air Aviation.

Getting from the airport to the Mackinac Island ferry docks

Take Your Boat to Mackinac Island

While many Mackinac Island visitors board a commercial ferry from the mainland in either St. Ignace or Mackinaw City, it’s also possible to take your own personal boat to Mackinac Island. Mackinac Island State Harbor has a public marina with 80 slips, most of which are available for transient use by the day or overnight. Private boat slips also are available in the Mackinac Island harbor for both day dockage and overnight stays.

Where to dock your boat for overnight stay on Mackinac Island

Marina Infographic

Take a Cruise to Mackinac Island

You can even visit Mackinac Island on a cruise! Mackinac Island is a popular port of call for a growing number of Great Lakes cruise lines. Mackinac Island’s location is perfect for cruise ships navigating the world’s largest system of freshwater lakes, and cruise goers love Mackinac Island’s Victorian charm. Cruise ships typically dock at Mackinac Island in the morning, enabling passengers to enjoy a full day of exploration.

Visit Mackinac Island on a Great Lakes cruise

Mackinac Island Ferry FAQ

Q: How do I get Mackinac Island ferry tickets?

A: You can buy ferry tickets when you get to the dock or buy Mackinac Island ferry tickets online (usually at a reduced rate) and then bypass ticket lines at the dock.

TIP: When buying ferry tickets, take a look at the special deals that package a ferry ride with Mackinac Island attractions such as horse-drawn carriage tours or Fort Mackinac admission 

Q: Do I need reservations for the ferry?

A: Tickets are good for any day and time, so you can choose the ferry that works for you. Both companies run several boats a day to Mackinac Island in season, with rides departing as often as every 15 minutes in the peak summer season. If there’s a particular boat you want to catch, be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes early to make sure you can get on it.

Q: Which ferry company should I ride with?

A: Both Arnold Transit Company and Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry offer safe, fast, and reliable ferry service to and from Mackinac Island. They have similar schedules and ticket prices so either one will be a great choice!

Q: Where do the ferries leave from? Where do they arrive on Mackinac Island?

A: Both ferry companies provide service from the Mackinaw City in the Lower Peninsula (south of the Mackinac Bridge) and St. Ignace in the Upper Peninsula (north of the Mackinac Bridge). They both arrive right in the heart of downtown Mackinac Island at their respective docks. Downtown Mackinac Island is about 3 blocks and where the action begins!

Q: Where do I park my vehicle?

A: Day-trippers can park their vehicles in designated ferry parking lots in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace. For overnight guests, Mackinac Island ferry companies offer a range of parking options. There is a fee for parking and more information can be found at the respective websites for Arnold Transit Company and Shepler's Ferry Company to see up to date rates.

Q: How much is a ferry ticket?

A: There are a variety of ferry ticket options including roundtrip tickets, child pricing, and more. Visit the respective websites for Arnold Transit Company and Shepler's Ferry Company to see up to date rates.

Q: What is the earliest ferry to the island? What is the latest ferry off the island?

A: Ferry schedules vary throughout the season but in general, the ferries run every 1/2 hour - sometimes every 15 minutes during peak season or on the hour during the slower season. The first ferry to the island is generally at 7:30 am and the last ferry off is 8:00 pm in the slower season and as late as 10:00 pm during peak season. *Be sure to double check the ferry schedule, port city, and times when you travel to and from Mackinac Island. 

Q: What do I do with my luggage when I arrive on Mackinac Island?

A: If you’re staying overnight on Mackinac Island, the ferry company will take your luggage and transport it to Mackinac Island free of charge. You can claim your bags when you arrive, although some places to stay on Mackinac Island have dockporters deliver your luggage right to your room.  

Q: Can I bring dogs on the ferry to Mackinac Island? How about strollers or bicycles?

A: Yes! You can bring dogs to Mackinac Island on ferry boats free of charge. Dogs must be leashed or crated for the ride.  

Strollers are welcome on ferry boats free of charge and are stored on the boat during the ride as children sit in their own seat or on a parent’s lap. Bicycles.

Since bicycling is one of the primary ways of getting around on Mackinac Island, it can be handy to have a bike available whenever you need it. There also are several vendors on Mackinac Island that rent a variety of bikes by the hour or by the day. Here's how much it costs to rent bikes on Mackinac Island.