How to Go to Mackinac Island, Michigan | Ferry First

Most visitors reach Mackinac Island by a 15–20-minute ferry from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace; cars stay on the mainland.

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Most trips begin with one practical choice: Mackinaw City or St. Ignace. For travelers planning how to go to Mackinac Island, Michigan, the standard route is to drive or take a shuttle to one of those mainland ports, park there, and board a passenger ferry that lands downtown.

Mackinaw City is usually simpler from Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, while St. Ignace fits travelers arriving through the Upper Peninsula. Direct air taxi service from St. Ignace is the main alternative, especially when winter ice interrupts ferry operations.

Getting To Mackinac Island: Every Route Compared

The ferry is the simplest route for almost every leisure trip. Driving ends at the mainland dock because Mackinac Island has no bridge and does not permit ordinary visitor cars.

Travelers approaching through the Lower Peninsula can compare ground connections to the main ferry route here:

Passenger ferries leave from Mackinaw City and St. Ignace during the main visitor season. Both ports serve the same downtown waterfront, so the right choice usually depends on which side of the Mackinac Bridge you reach first.

Which Ferry Port Should You Use?

Use Mackinaw City when approaching from Detroit, Grand Rapids, Traverse City, or most Lower Peninsula routes. Use St. Ignace when arriving from Sault Ste. Marie, Marquette, Wisconsin through the Upper Peninsula, or Chippewa County International Airport.

• Mackinaw City: The natural choice before crossing the Mackinac Bridge from the south.
• St. Ignace: The natural choice after reaching the Upper Peninsula from the north or west.
• Either port: Shepler’s direct ferries typically take about 16 minutes; bridge-view departures take about 10 minutes longer.
• Peak dates: Boats may leave as often as every 15 minutes, but weather and passenger demand can change the schedule.

Ferry Tickets, Parking, And Timing

Buy a round-trip ferry ticket, allow about an hour at the mainland terminal, and budget separately for parking. Current schedules and weather still determine which sailing you can board.

Shepler’s published 2026 basic fare is $39 round trip for adults and $27 for children ages 5–12, with a $2 booking fee per ticket. Children under 5 need a boarding ticket but ride without a passenger fare. Published rates can change, so check the operator’s current ticket screen before paying.

Shepler’s lists day parking at $15 and standard overnight parking at $25 per night at both mainland ports. Online ferry tickets are valid for any departure during the navigational season, seats are first-come-first-served, and the operator advises arriving one hour before the departure you hope to catch.

Carry the return QR code. Ferry staff scan tickets in both directions, and a screenshot helps when cellular service is slow.

The official Mackinac Island getting-here page confirms both ferry ports, nearby airport transfers, direct air taxis, and private-boat access.

Can You Drive To Mackinac Island?

No, visitors cannot drive to Mackinac Island, and the Mackinac Bridge connects Michigan’s two peninsulas rather than the island. Leave the vehicle in a ferry-company lot in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace.

Ferry crews transport ordinary luggage without a separate handling charge. Leashed pets and strollers ride without a fare on Shepler’s scheduled service, while standard bicycles carry a separate round-trip charge; the published 2026 price is $21.

After docking, travelers move around on foot, by bicycle, by horse-drawn taxi, or with an approved mobility device. Overnight guests should ask their lodging whether dock porters will transfer tagged bags from the ferry to the property.

Where To Stay After You Arrive

Staying near downtown keeps the ferry docks, restaurants, and horse-drawn taxis within an easy walk. Properties farther inland or along the shoreline can be quieter, but confirm luggage transfer and taxi plans before arrival.

Compare island lodging locations against the ferry docks and your planned activities on the map:

Flying To Mackinac Island

Flying directly to Mackinac Island Airport is faster than the ferry crossing but costs more and requires advance coordination. Air taxis from St. Ignace take about seven minutes, and charter service may be arranged from other Michigan airports.

Pellston Regional Airport is the closest scheduled-airport choice for Mackinaw City. Chippewa County International Airport works well for St. Ignace, while Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City leaves a road transfer of about two hours.

Direct arrivals should reserve a horse-drawn taxi from Mackinac Island Airport to town before landing. In winter, ferry service can stop when ice becomes too thick, making a reserved flight the dependable route on affected days.

The Easiest Door-To-Dock Plan

The smoothest plan is to use the mainland port on your side of the Mackinac Bridge, arrive one hour early, park, tag checked bags, and take the next direct ferry. A longer bridge-view sailing suits travelers who prefer scenery over the shortest crossing.

1. Choose Mackinaw City from the Lower Peninsula or St. Ignace from the Upper Peninsula.
2. Check the operator’s live schedule for your travel date and the final return boat.
3. Buy a round-trip ticket and save the QR code offline.
4. Reach the dock about one hour before the sailing you want.
5. Unload passengers and bags before moving the car to the assigned lot.
6. Keep medicines, valuables, and one warm layer with you on the boat.
7. On arrival, collect bags or confirm that your lodging’s dock porter has them.

For speed, take a direct ferry from the nearest mainland port. For a fly-in trip, use Pellston with a Mackinaw City transfer or reserve the seven-minute St. Ignace air taxi. For winter travel, confirm ferry conditions and secure both the flight and island taxi before leaving the mainland.