Getting to Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island can be reached from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace via Shepler’s and Star Line’s ferry service. The ferries start running as soon as the Straits of Mackinac is ice-free. Early on, there are only between 10-15 departures per day. By peak season, the boats run between the Mainland and Mackinac Island up to 50 times per day. When on either ferry line, be sure to take in the view of the Mackinac Bridge, Grand Hotel, and the West Bluff of the Island.
Mackinac Island can also be reached by one of the daily flights of Great Lakes Air from St. Ignace Airport to Mackinac Island Airport. During the winter, once the ferries stop running, this is the only method of reaching the Island until an ice bridge forms connecting Mackinac to St. Ignace. Then, it is possible to travel via snowmobile. Some years, the ice bridge doesn’t form, leaving residents of Mackinac Island totally dependent on Great Lakes Air.
Other methods of reaching Mackinac Island include arriving on a Great Lakes Cruise or traveling via private yacht or boat.
Getting to Mackinac Island - Table of Contents
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Getting to Mackinac Island by Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry Company
Star Line, Mackinac Island Ferry Company, has one dock in Mackinaw City, two docks in St. Ignace, and two docks on Mackinac Island, and is one of two ferry choices to get to Mackinac Island. Star Line has historically offered rides to the Island on their hydro-jet rooster-tail ferries.
In 2016, Star Line received a significant upgrade when they purchased the assets of Arnold Line, a former Mackinac Island ferry company. With the purchase of Arnold’s assets, Star Line acquired a catamaran as well as the slower traditional ferries.
Star Line provides a method of transportation for everyone whether they want to ride the catamaran, a rooster-tail ferry, a pirate ship, or a slower classic ferry.
Star Line’s 2024 Schedule can be found HERE.
Purchase Tickets for Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry Company
Star Line sells round trip tickets both at the dock and online. Purchase online to receive a cheaper price. The 2024 season ticket prices are as follows:
- Adult Round Trip fastPass with Priority Boarding – Adult – $46, Child – $36
- Adult Round Trip fastPASS to Mackinac Island – $34 ($31 Online)
- Child (age 5-12) Round Trip fastPASS to Mackinac Island – $22 ($21 Online)
- Children 4 and under – Free
- Dogs – Free
- Bike PASS Transport Fee – $17
Purchase Parking for Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry Company
Star Line offers a variety of parking options from free day parking to $50 a day secure overnight valet parking. All of the parking options are posted on their website. Some of the options include:
- Dockside DAY Parking (Mackinaw City Only) – $30
- Dockside DAY Parking (St Ignace ONLY) – $10
- Self-Park Overnight Secured Parking (Mackinaw City Only)- $20 per night
- Overnight Secured Valet Parking – Outdoor – $50 per night
Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry Company's classicPASS
Star Line offers a classicPASS fare as well from June 15th through August 18th. If you purchase a classicPASS ticket (adults $23.95, children $17.95) you will only be able to ride the slower classic ferries. The ride on the classic ferries takes 45 minutes and they are limited to around 10 departures per day.
Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry Company - Under the Bridge Departure
A few ferries will take a detour to go under the Mackinac Bridge. These will be marked on the schedule with a little picture of the Mackinac Bridge next to the time. I highly recommend going under the bridge if it fits into your schedule.
You will want access to your camera for the entire boat ride. Some of my favorite photos were taken on the ride to Mackinac Island.
This photo is available for purchase by clicking HERE.
Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry Company's Dock Locations
Star Line has one dock in Mackinaw City where the catamaran, hydro-jet rooster tail, and classic ferries all depart from.
In St. Ignace, Star Line has two docks. Dock three in St. Ignace is all hydro-jet rooster tail ferries and dock one is all classic ferries.
In Mackinac Island, there are two docks. Dock one handles all ferries going to Mackinaw City while dock two handles the ferries going to St. Ignace.
Star Line provides winter service to Mackinac Island via the “Mighty” Huron. Winter service is contingent on ice conditions and eventually is suspended when the ice becomes too thick.
Getting to Mackinac Island by Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry
Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry has one dock in Mackinaw City, one dock in St. Ignace, and one dock on Mackinac Island. Shepler’s began in 1945 when Captain William H. Shepler started transporting people to and from the Island. Over 70 years later, Shepler’s has continued to provide transportation to and from Mackinac Island from both Mackinaw City and St. Ignace.
Shepler’s boats are all very similar. They do not have rooster tails nor are they catamarans. What Shepler’s boats are is fast. Shepler’s offers the fastest service to and from Mackinac Island and also has departures every 15 minutes during peak times.
For Shepler’s 2024 schedule click HERE.
Purchase Shepler's Tickets
Shepler’s sells round trip tickets both at the dock and online. Like Star Line, purchase online to receive a lower price. The 2024 season ticket prices are as follows:
- Adult round-trip ticket: $36.00 ($34 Online)
- Child (ages 5-12) round-trip ticket: $24.00 ($23 Online)
- Children under 5 are FREE!
- Bikes and bike trailers: $21.00 each
Shepler’s offers some specials as well. They are only available online.
- 3 Adults: $90.00
- 2 Adults / 1 child (ages 5-12): $72.00
Purchase Shepler's Parking
Shepler’s has many different parking options including free day parking in Mackinaw City and St. Ignace. There is a shuttle service connecting the day parking to the dock. The ride from the day lot to the dock takes less than 5 minutes.
In Mackinaw City, there is overnight parking available for $45 per night dockside and $20 per night in the overnight lot. The overnight lot will require the use of the shuttle.
In St. Ignace, there is overnight parking available at the dock for $20 per night.
This photo is available for purchase by clicking HERE.
Shepler's Dock Locations
Shepler’s only has one dock per location. Unlike Star Line, all of their ferries are of the same model. Shepler’s also has some departures that go under the Mackinac Bridge. Look for the word “Mighty Mac Departures” on the schedule. Once again, be sure to have your camera out during the boat ride. You will get spectacular photos as you arrive at Mackinac Island.
Getting to Mackinac Island by Airplane
The easiest way to reach Mackinac Island via airplane is to fly on Great Lakes Air from St. Ignace Airport to Mackinac Island Airport. There are daily flights available and fares start at $35 each way.
Great Lakes Air also offers flights from Cheboygan to Mackinac Island starting at $60 each way. Reservations are recommended, but often a flight can be added with a minimum of three people. The fares include 50 pounds of luggage with additional weight available for purchase.
Flights arrive at Mackinac Island Airport, which is in the middle of the Island. A taxi will be needed to reach the various hotels or to get to Main Street.
In addition to Great Lakes Air, other companies offer charter flights from Pellston, Charlevoix, and other Northern Michigan Airports. These flights are by reservation only and come with a much higher price.
Recently, I was quoted the following prices: Pellston to Mackinac Island – $350 each way, Alpena to Mackinac Island – $750 each way, Sault Saint Marie (MI) to Mackinac Island – $350 each way, and Traverse City to Mackinac Island – $800 each way. These quotes were per flight and included luggage and up to four passengers.
The nearest airport that offers commercial flights is Pellston Regional Airport which is about 20 miles from the Mackinac Bridge. During the summer season, Delta Airlines runs flights from Minneapolis and Detroit to Pellston.
During my most recent visit to Mackinac, the yellow plane pictured below made at least five trips to the Island throughout an 8-hour timeframe. The yellow plane was easy to spot each time it approached Mackinac Island.
Getting to Mackinac Island by Private Boat
Mackinac Island State Harbor is open May 15th to October 14th. Rates for a boat slip range from $40 to $118 per night. Reservations are possible by going on the Michigan State Parks Website.
During the Chicago to Mackinac sailboat race, there is limited availability in the harbor. Mackinac Island State Harbor has the following amenities:
* water
* electricity (30 & 50-amp)
* restroom
* showers
* pump-out
* ice
* dog run
* day use dockage
* grills/picnic tables
* wifi/internet
* refuse receptacles
* recycle bins
* U.S. Customs check-in
Getting to Mackinac Island by a Great Lakes Cruise Ship
During the 2024 season, quite a few cruise ships visited Mackinac Island. Victory I, which travels between Chicago and Toronto was docked next to Star Line Dock 1 during a recent visit.
Other cruise ships that visited Mackinac Island in 2024 include:
Pearl Mist which went between Chicago and Toronto
The Grand Mariner which went between Chicago and Montreal
The Grand Caribe which went between Chicago and New York City via the Erie Canal
Victory II which went between Thunder Bay, Ontario and Detroit.
To learn more about cruises that stop at Mackinac Island, I recommend visiting THIS LINK.
