Mackinaw City or St. Ignace?
From the south, Mackinaw City usually saves you crossing the bridge. From the Upper Peninsula, St. Ignace. Compare both gateway choices below.
Home / Travel tools / Mackinac Island Ferry Prices & Kids Fares
Ferries
Mackinac Island ferry tickets, family prices and parking
Pick your travel date and compare Shepler’s with Arnold Transit. See kids’ ticket prices, military rates, parking, bikes and the right ferry dock, then buy directly from the operator.
Leave room at the dock
Allow for the drive, parking and boarding. The best departure is the one you make comfortably, not the one you almost make.
Plan the ride home, too
Day trips need a return that fits. Overnight trips can keep the return flexible.
2026 ferry decision engine
Find the right boat, parking lot and total family fare
Compare Shepler's and Arnold Transit from Mackinaw City and St. Ignace. Include children, bikes, military discounts and the cost of leaving your vehicle on the mainland. Start with the trip, not a ticket ad.
Choose your party and date to compare 2026 ferry fares.
2026 published fares, not a live ticket quote. Arnold's booking fee is not published as a flat amount; any applicable fees are shown as extra. Ferry tickets do not reserve a departure. Confirm schedules and weather notices with the operator before driving. Arnold fares · Shepler's fares.
Get to the right dock
From the parking lot to Mackinac Island
Your results identify the right mainland terminal and parking instructions. Use the address for your parking lot, not always the ferry dock: the two can be different.
Kids and strollers
2026 standard round-trip fare: Shepler's 5–12 $27, under 5 free with required ticket. Arnold Fast 5–12 $25; Arnold Classic fare pages conflict ($0 or $19 for ages 5–12). Arnold’s age-four wording also conflicts between pages; the calculator shows a price range rather than assuming free travel. Ages 13+ pay adult fare. Passenger strollers travel free, but adults must hold children during the crossing.
Military, groups and special discounts
Both operators publish military round-trip rates of $24 adults and $16 children 5–12, purchased in person with military ID. Shepler's extends its stated benefit to qualified spouses and household dependents. Shepler's lists group discounts for 20+; Arnold offers group quotes for schools, reunions and tours, including a wedding-party offer with complimentary bride-and-groom ferry tickets and dockside parking. Shepler's group rates ↗ · Arnold group offers ↗. Do not assume a general senior or AAA fare without a published rate.
Bikes, e-bikes and pets
Standard bikes cost $21 round trip on Shepler's and $19 on Arnold. Bike attachments and tandems use different fares. E-bikes require special Island authorization and cannot be booked as standard bikes. Shepler's carries leashed pets free; check Arnold's current pet-handling rules before departure.
Service and weather
Published 2026 Fast Ferry service: April 21–October 31. Arnold Classic ran May 23–September 6. The crossing is roughly 20 minutes on fast boats and 30–40 minutes on Classic. Wind, waves and fog can alter operations: a forecast is not a cancellation notice. NWS Straits marine forecast ↗.
Verify schedules and any discounts before paying: Shepler's tickets and rules · Shepler's parking · Arnold tickets · Arnold parking map · Arnold schedule.
At the dock
What to expect
Ferries run from both Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, and the crossing itself is short. Park, check in and give yourself a buffer: summer weekends and event days are busy.
Luggage and bikes can come with you; ask your ferry line how it’s handled. If you’re staying on the Island, your hotel may have porters meeting the boats.
How to plan it
Find your boat in three steps
Add your date, starting city and leave time
That tells us which departures you can realistically reach.
Compare both ports
Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, side by side for your trip.
Confirm with the ferry line
Schedules and service can change; the operator has the final word.
Good to know
Local knowledge worth having
Coming from the south
Mackinaw City usually saves you from crossing the bridge.
Coming from the Upper Peninsula
St. Ignace is usually the simpler way over.
A better boat can beat a shorter drive
Now and then a slightly longer drive puts you on the Island much earlier.
Overnight returns can stay open
If you’re staying over, you don’t need to pick a boat home now unless you have somewhere to be.
Before you go: Ferry times come from published schedules. Operators have the final say on service, weather cancellations and changes; check before you go.
Good questions
Before you go
Mackinaw City or St. Ignace, which is better?
Usually the one on your side of the bridge. Your starting city and the departure times can change that, so compare both.
Do I need to pick an exact return ferry for an overnight trip?
No. Unless you have a deadline, keep the return flexible; the planner shows the options for your return day.
Does the planner use live traffic?
No. Drive times are planning estimates with a buffer added, not live traffic.
One crossing, a clear answer
Ready to choose your ferry?
See your total family fare, dock, parking and official purchase options without a separate trip-planning questionnaire.