Today's boats by company and dock, the last boat home tonight, 2026 fares, mainland parking and the winter reality.
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Mackinac Island has no cars and no bridge — every trip on or off the island is a ferry. This page is the companies' published schedule, worked out from your clock, with fares and mainland parking, so you can see the last boat home before you set out.
It is not a live feed. Weather and ice change the real times, and winter boats run only when the water allows, so always check the ferry company too.
Times are your device’s clock against the published schedule — not a live feed.
This is the published schedule — not a live feed
| Season | To the island | Off the island | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak summer | 7:30 am – 10:00 pm | 10:30 pm | About every 30 minutes midday. |
| Spring (Apr–Jun) | See the schedule page | See the schedule page | Fewer boats — see the schedule page. |
| Fall (Sep–Oct) | See the schedule page | See the schedule page | Fewer boats — see the schedule page. |
| Season | To the island | Off the island | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak summer | 7:30 am – 10:00 pm | 10:30 pm | About hourly, more often at peak. |
| Spring (Apr–Jun) | See the schedule page | See the schedule page | Fewer boats — see the schedule page. |
| Fall (Sep–Oct) | See the schedule page | See the schedule page | Fewer boats — see the schedule page. |
Pets ride free on a leash. Priority boarding costs extra. Fares valid Apr 21–Oct 31, 2026.
Source: Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry, checked 21 June 2026 (3 weeks ago).
Add up a round trip for your group — ferry tickets plus mainland parking.
Plan around the last boat back — miss it and it’s a hotel night or a charter flight.
An estimate from the published fares below. Booking fees and exact prices are set by the companies — confirm at the dock.
Two prices people mix up. The outlying lots are cheaper — about $10–$15 a day, or $20–$25 overnight — and run a free shuttle to the dock. The secured dockside lots cost more, about $40–$75 a night. You never have to pay for dockside parking just to catch your boat. These are typical 2026 rates; the ferry companies set them, so confirm before you go.
| Lot | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Day lot (with shuttle) | Mackinaw City | $15 per dayFree shuttle to the dock |
| Overnight lot (with shuttle) | Mackinaw City | $25 per nightA few blocks away; free shuttle |
| Dockside, secured | Mackinaw City | $50 per nightMore on weekends |
| Day lot (with shuttle) | St. Ignace | $15 per dayFree shuttle to the dock |
| Overnight lot (with shuttle) | St. Ignace | $25 per nightFree shuttle |
| Dockside, secured | St. Ignace | $40 per night |
Free shuttle: Every outlying lot runs a free, continuous shuttle to the dock — paying for dockside parking is a choice, not a requirement.
Source: Parking on the mainland, checked 15 June 2026.
Winter: the boat runs until the ice wins
From about November 1 to April 20, Arnold Transit runs a few boats a day from the St. Ignace Classic Dock — but only as long as the ice isn't too thick. Once the harbor freezes, usually deep in winter, the ferries stop and the island is reached by small plane from St. Ignace until spring. Winter fares are higher than summer.
About the ferries after 2027
Live wind by Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0).
| Season |
|---|
| To the island |
|---|
| Off the island |
|---|
| How often |
|---|
| Winter | 7:30 am – 4:30 pm | 8:30 am – 5:30 pm | About 5 round trips a day; early boat Mon–Sat. Runs until the harbor freezes. |
| Season | To the island | Off the island | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak summer | See the schedule page | See the schedule page | Runs late April through October. Pick your date on Shepler's schedule page; the crossing is 16–26 minutes. |
| Season | To the island | Off the island | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak summer | See the schedule page | See the schedule page | Runs late April through October. Pick your date on Shepler's schedule page. |
Winter boats cost more (adult round trip about $44). Fares valid Apr 21–Oct 31, 2026.
Source: Arnold Transit Company, checked 21 June 2026 (3 weeks ago).