A 2026 S.S. Badger adult one-way fare costs $78–$89; vehicle fares are added separately, and reservations are strongly advised.
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Summer vehicle spaces can disappear before passenger spaces, so the cost is only half the decision. For most travelers, buying SS Badger ferry tickets means selecting a passenger fare for every rider, then adding a separate fare for the car, motorcycle, bicycle, RV, or trailer.
The S.S. Badger crosses Lake Michigan between Ludington, Michigan, and Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The scheduled crossing lasts four hours, saves the long drive around the lake, and lets passengers bring vehicles that range from bicycles to large RV combinations.
Reservations are strongly recommended because the operator does not guarantee walk-up space. The current availability calendar is the practical place to match passenger count, vehicle size, and sailing date:
SS Badger Ferry Fares And What Each Ticket Covers
S.S. Badger reservations are built from separate passenger and vehicle charges. A standard automobile fare never includes the driver, and every additional traveler needs the correct passenger ticket.
The 2026 season is split into spring, summer, and fall pricing. Spring runs May 15–June 18, summer runs June 19–September 7, and fall runs September 8–October 11.
2026 Sailing Times And The Time-Zone Trap
S.S. Badger crossings take four hours, but the printed arrival time can look one hour shorter or longer because Ludington uses Eastern Time and Manitowoc uses Central Time. Check the time zone shown beside each departure rather than calculating from the clock alone.
- Ludington to Manitowoc: The full-season daytime sailing leaves at 9:00 a.m. ET and arrives at noon CT.
- Manitowoc to Ludington: The usual daytime sailing leaves at 2:00 p.m. CT and arrives at 7:00 p.m. ET.
- Summer overnight service: From June 19 through September 7, selected sailings leave Ludington at 8:45 p.m. ET and Manitowoc at 1:30 a.m. CT.
Date check: Shoreline cruises alter several 2026 departures, including selected dates in June, July, and August. Confirm the live calendar before arranging a same-day connection.
How Much Do SS Badger Tickets Cost?
S.S. Badger passenger fares start at $78 one way for an adult in spring or fall and rise to $89 in summer. Vehicle prices are added to those passenger fares, so a summer one-way trip for one adult with a standard car totals $191 before online fees or optional extras.
The operator’s official 2026 fare schedule lists the current base prices below. Round-trip standard fares are twice the corresponding one-way amount.
| Ticket Or Vehicle | What It Covers | 2026 One-Way Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, age 16+ | One passenger | $78 spring/fall; $89 summer |
| Senior, age 65+ | One passenger | $70 spring/fall; $81 summer |
| Active military | One passenger | $70 spring/fall; $81 summer |
| Child, age 5–15 | One child with an adult | $44 in all seasons |
| Child, age 4 or younger | One child with an adult | Free |
| Standard automobile | Car, van, SUV, or pickup; passengers separate | $102 |
| Bicycle | One bicycle; passenger separate | $8 |
| Motorcycle | One motorcycle; passenger separate | $57 |
| RV, camper, or trailer | Measured vehicle or trailer length | $11 per foot |
| Private stateroom | Room with two twin beds, sink, and toilet | $61 |
Pickup campers and Sprinter vans use a separate $114 one-way vehicle category. Bike racks, cargo carriers, and similar extensions add $11 each way, while motorcycles need two owner-supplied tie-downs.
Discounts That Can Change The Total
The Great Lake Getaway reduces a passenger-only adult round trip completed within three days to $112. Two children ages 5–15 travel free per paying adult, and each extra child costs $64.
The Great Lake Getaway excludes vehicles apart from bicycles and must be reserved by phone at (800) 841-4243. Groups of 10 or more paying passengers can request group rates through the same number.
Boarding Rules That Prevent Missed Sailings
S.S. Badger asks passengers to arrive one hour before departure, and reservations are held only until 30 minutes before sailing. Check-in is at 701 Maritime Drive in Ludington and 900 South Lakeview Drive in Manitowoc.
Late arrivals may lose their reserved space when standby travelers begin clearing. Free parking is available at both docks, but Manitowoc parking is limited and may use nearby street spaces.
- Enter every passenger and the full vehicle type when reserving.
- Measure trailers from the tow vehicle’s rear bumper to the trailer’s farthest point.
- Keep medicine, documents, chargers, warm layers, and children’s supplies with you before the vehicle is loaded.
- Present the passenger QR codes during boarding and follow staff directions for vehicle staging.
The car deck is closed to passengers during the crossing. Crew members drive passenger vehicles on and off the ship, so leave the keys as instructed and wait in the marked area after arrival.
Where To Stay Before An Early Sailing
Ludington is the easier overnight base for travelers taking the 9:00 a.m. Eastern departure or arriving at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Staying near the port also removes the risk of a long same-morning drive before the one-hour check-in window.
The Ludington terminal is at 701 Maritime Drive. Use the accommodation map to compare places near the dock:
Changes, Cancellations And Trip Protection
Reserved tickets can be changed without a fee before departure, but they must be used within the same sailing season. Cancellations made before the reserved departure carry a $10 fee per child fare, $20 per adult fare, or $30 per adult-with-vehicle fare.
Optional trip protection costs 5% of the reservation total and permits a full refund when a covered reservation is canceled, while the protection charge itself is not refunded. Online booking fees are also nonrefundable.
What To Expect On Board
S.S. Badger passengers can move through indoor lounges and open decks during the four-hour crossing. Onboard facilities include food service, a museum, movies, board games, children’s activities, a shop, and a limited number of private staterooms.
- Food: Prepackaged snacks, water, and nonalcoholic drinks may be carried aboard; coolers stay in a vehicle or on the luggage cart.
- Pets: Pets ride without an added charge in a kennel or vehicle on the car deck and cannot enter passenger areas, apart from trained service animals.
- Accessibility: A boarding chairlift has a 300-pound limit, powered chairs travel separately from the rider on the lift, and upper-deck access is limited.
- Wi-Fi: Access codes cost $8 per device and are sold at the Cruise Director’s Office.
Which Ticket Should You Buy?
The right S.S. Badger ticket depends on whether the crossing is transportation, a short getaway, or part of a road trip. Reserve early when bringing a car, RV, trailer, or motorcycle because deck space is the part most likely to constrain a sailing.
- For a one-way road trip: Buy one passenger fare per traveler plus the exact vehicle category.
- For a passenger-only return within three days: Call for the $112 Great Lake Getaway rather than paying the standard round-trip adult fare.
- For a quieter crossing: Add a $61 stateroom, particularly on an overnight sailing or when traveling with young children.
- For flexible plans: Compare the 5% protection charge with the standard cancellation fee before paying.
Check the final reservation for passenger count, vehicle length, departure port, and time zone. Those four details prevent the most common fare and boarding errors.
References & Sources
- Lake Michigan Carferry Service.“S.S. Badger’s Fares for 2026.”Lists current passenger, vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, RV, and seasonal fares.