Mackinac Island ferry schedule and guide
Two operators run the Mackinac Island ferry across the Straits of Mackinac from Mackinaw City and St. Ignace to Mackinac Island, Michigan. Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry (Shepler's) and Arnold Transit Company (Arnold) carry passengers, bicycles and luggage. Mackinac Island allows no cars, so drivers park on the mainland. Riders need no reservation with either operator, and Arnold runs a winter ferry from St. Ignace.
Schedules up to date as of October 26, 2026
Contents
Mackinac Island ferry schedule Fall 2026
- Shepler's: The Fall 2026 schedule runs from October 26, 2026 to October 31, 2026.
- Arnold fast ferry: The Fall 2026 schedule runs from October 26, 2026 to October 31, 2026.
- Arnold winter: Closed for the season from October 26, 2026 to October 31, 2026.
Shepler's
Departures from Mackinaw City, Daily
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | Mackinac Island |
| 9:00 AM | Mackinac Island |
| 10:30 AM | Mackinac Island |
| 12:30 PM | Mackinac Island |
| 2:30 PM | Mackinac Island |
| 4:30 PM | Mackinac Island |
Departures from St. Ignace, Daily
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | Mackinac Island |
| 9:00 AM | Mackinac Island |
| 10:30 AM | Mackinac Island |
| 12:30 PM | Mackinac Island |
| 2:30 PM | Mackinac Island |
| 4:30 PM | Mackinac Island |
Departures from Mackinac Island, Daily
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Mackinaw City |
| 8:00 AM | St. Ignace |
| 9:30 AM | Mackinaw City |
| 9:30 AM | St. Ignace |
| 11:00 AM | Mackinaw City |
| 11:00 AM | St. Ignace |
| 1:00 PM | Mackinaw City |
| 1:00 PM | St. Ignace |
| 3:00 PM | Mackinaw City |
| 3:00 PM | St. Ignace |
| 5:00 PM | Mackinaw City |
| 5:00 PM | St. Ignace |
Arnold fast ferry
Departures from Mackinaw City, Daily
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | Mackinac Island |
| 8:30 AM | Mackinac Island |
| 10:00 AM | Mackinac Island |
| 12:00 PM | Mackinac Island |
| 2:00 PM | Mackinac Island |
| 4:30 PM | Mackinac Island |
Departures from St. Ignace, Daily
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | Mackinac Island |
| 8:30 AM | Mackinac Island |
| 10:00 AM | Mackinac Island |
| 12:00 PM | Mackinac Island |
| 2:00 PM | Mackinac Island |
| 4:30 PM | Mackinac Island |
Departures from Mackinac Island, Daily
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Mackinaw City |
| 8:00 AM | St. Ignace |
| 9:00 AM | Mackinaw City |
| 9:00 AM | St. Ignace |
| 10:30 AM | Mackinaw City |
| 10:30 AM | St. Ignace |
| 12:30 PM | Mackinaw City |
| 12:30 PM | St. Ignace |
| 2:30 PM | Mackinaw City |
| 2:30 PM | St. Ignace |
| 5:00 PM | Mackinaw City |
| 5:00 PM | St. Ignace |
Mackinac Island ferry fares
Shepler's
| Fare type | Fare |
|---|---|
| Passengers | |
| Adult, round trip | $39.00 |
| Child 5 to 12, round trip | $27.00 |
| Child under 5 | Free |
| Bicycles | |
| Bicycle, round trip | $21.00 |
| Tandem bicycle, round trip | $42.00 |
- Shepler's tickets are round trip, good for any departure from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace from April 21 to October 31, 2026, and not refundable. Shepler's adds a $2 booking fee to each ferry ticket. Shepler's sells one-way tickets only in person at its docks.
Arnold fast ferry
| Fare type | Fare |
|---|---|
| Passengers | |
| Adult, round trip | $37.00 |
| Adult, one way | $25.00 |
| Child 5 to 12, round trip | $25.00 |
| Child 4 and under, round trip | Free |
| Bicycles | |
| Bicycle | $19.00 |
| Tandem bicycle | $36.00 |
- Arnold's fast ferry fares apply from Mackinaw City and the St. Ignace Main Dock from April 21 to October 31, 2026. Tickets are good all season and not refundable, and a booking fee applies to each. Bicycle fares include the $2 island fee.
Shepler's and Arnold tickets are good for any departure in the season they are sold for, and neither operator refunds them. A Shepler's ticket works from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace. Both operators sell military fares in person at their ticket offices, with a military ID.
Shepler's Enhanced Boarding tickets board ahead of other riders, after groups and commuters. Holders still wait for the next boat once one is full. Arnold sells priority boarding tickets.
Mackinac Island ferry details
| Operators | Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry (Shepler's); Arnold Transit Company (Arnold) |
|---|---|
| Crossing time | About 16 minutes on Shepler's direct departures from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace, and about 25 minutes on its Mighty Mac departures under the Mackinac Bridge. About 20 minutes on the Arnold fast ferry. |
| Vehicles | Shepler's and Arnold carry passengers only. Mackinac Island bans motor vehicles. |
| Reservations | Neither operator takes or needs reservations. Arnold boards first come, first served. |
| Payment | Shepler's takes Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express online and at its ticket offices in Mackinaw City, St. Ignace and Mackinac Island. Arnold sells tickets at its docks and online, delivered by text or email. |
| Bicycles | Both operators carry bicycles, tandems and bike trailers for a fare. Arnold's bike pass also serves as the bicycle's Mackinac Island license. E-bikes ride only with a permit from the City of Mackinac Island, and Arnold carries them on an outside deck or with the battery removed. |
| Pets | Shepler's carries leashed or caged pets free and keeps them off the seats. Arnold carries dogs on a leash. |
| Luggage | Shepler's and Arnold carry personal luggage free. Strollers and passenger wagons ride free on both. |
| Accessibility | Every Shepler's boat has ramp access to its aft deck. Shepler's older boats have steps to the main cabin, and its Miss Margy and William Richard have level or ramped cabin access. Arnold's crew helps wheelchair riders up the ramp. |
| Restrooms and food on board | Shepler's boats have no restrooms, and its docks do. Shepler's allows no eating or drinking on its scheduled ferries. |
Mackinac Island ferries by port and dock
The Mackinac Island ferries leave from separate docks in Mackinaw City and St. Ignace. Shepler's and Arnold land at their own docks on Mackinac Island.
| Ferry | Leaves from | Lands at |
|---|---|---|
| Shepler's, from Mackinaw City | 556 East Central Avenue, Mackinaw City | Shepler's dock, 7431 Main Street |
| Shepler's, from St. Ignace | 601 North State Street, St. Ignace | Shepler's dock, 7431 Main Street |
| Arnold fast ferry, from Mackinaw City | Mackinaw City Dock, 801 South Huron Avenue | Arnold's Main Dock |
| Arnold fast ferry, from St. Ignace | St. Ignace Main Dock, 587 North State Street | Arnold's Main Dock |
| Arnold winter ferry | St. Ignace Classic Dock, 99 North State Street | Arnold's Main Dock |
Shepler's and the Arnold fast ferry stop for the winter. Arnold's winter ferry then sails from the St. Ignace Classic Dock only.
Mackinac Island ferry tickets and when to arrive
Shepler's asks riders to arrive one hour before their departure. Arnold asks riders to arrive 45 minutes before departure, since its ferries board first come, first served.
Shepler's emails online tickets as one QR code, which riders show at boarding. Riders keep the ticket for the trip back, since Shepler's scans it again on Mackinac Island. A rider without it buys a one-way ticket to the mainland.
Riders with Arnold tickets bought online go straight to the boarding line with the barcode. Arnold bike passes bought online are printed at the ticket window before boarding.
Every Shepler's rider needs a ticket, children under 5 included, though they ride free. Shepler's Mighty Mac departures pass under the Mackinac Bridge, with a short talk from the captain, at no extra charge.
Mackinaw City ferry terminal parking and directions
The Mackinac Island ferries leave Mackinaw City from two docks. Shepler's Mackinaw City dock is at 556 East Central Avenue, Mackinaw City, MI 49701. The Arnold Mackinaw City Dock is at 801 South Huron Avenue, Mackinaw City, MI 49701.
Shepler's Mackinaw City parking
Shepler's day riders park in the Day Lot at 311 South Nicolet Street, off I-75 exits 338 and 339. A free shuttle runs from the Day Lot to the dock, and riders with bicycles can ride to the dock instead. Overnight riders park in the Premium Dock Lot or the Standard Overnight Lot at 199 Wendell Street, four blocks away, with a free shuttle.
Shepler's sells no parking online, and riders pay at the lot. Overnight riders with a lot of luggage, bicycles or strollers go to the dock first, where staff help with luggage. Shepler's shuttle also serves commercial lodging within 1.5 miles of its Mackinaw City dock.
Arnold Mackinaw City parking
Arnold runs standard, premium dockside and valet parking in Mackinaw City, with a free shuttle from every lot. Overnight rates begin at midnight, and Arnold enforces parking 24 hours a day. Drivers with a motor home or trailer call Arnold a few days ahead for an off-site space.
| Lot | Location | Operator | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day Lot | 311 South Nicolet Street, with a free shuttle | Shepler's | $15 a day |
| Standard Overnight Lot | 199 Wendell Street, with a free shuttle | Shepler's | $25 a night |
| Premium Dock Lot | 556 East Central Avenue, at the dock | Shepler's | $50 a night Sunday through Wednesday, $75 Thursday through Saturday |
| Standard parking | Arnold lots, with a free shuttle | Arnold | $10 a day, $20 a night |
| Premium dockside parking | At the Arnold Mackinaw City Dock | Arnold | $40 a day |
| Valet parking | At the Arnold Mackinaw City Dock | Arnold | $65 a day, $130 overnight |
St. Ignace ferry terminal parking and directions
The Mackinac Island ferries leave St. Ignace from three docks on State Street. Shepler's St. Ignace dock is at 601 North State Street, St. Ignace, MI 49781. The Arnold St. Ignace Main Dock is at 587 North State Street, and the Arnold St. Ignace Classic Dock is at 99 North State Street, next to Ace Hardware.
Shepler's St. Ignace parking
Shepler's day riders park in the Premium Dock Lot at the St. Ignace dock until midnight, or in indoor self-park at the dock. Overnight riders park in the Premium Dock Lot or the Standard Overnight Lot at 736 North State Street, with a free shuttle. Shepler's shuttle also serves commercial lodging within 3 miles of its St. Ignace dock.
Arnold St. Ignace parking
Arnold runs standard, premium dockside and valet parking at the St. Ignace Main Dock, and standard parking at the Classic Dock. A free shuttle runs from every Arnold lot.
| Lot | Location | Operator | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Dock Lot, day parking | 601 North State Street, at the dock | Shepler's | $15 a day |
| Indoor self-park | 601 North State Street, at the dock | Shepler's | $90 a day or night |
| Premium Dock Lot, overnight | 601 North State Street, at the dock | Shepler's | $50 a night Sunday through Wednesday, $75 Thursday through Saturday |
| Standard Overnight Lot | 736 North State Street, with a free shuttle | Shepler's | $25 a night |
| Standard parking | Arnold St. Ignace Main Dock lots, with a free shuttle | Arnold | $10 a day, $20 a night |
| Premium dockside parking | At the Arnold St. Ignace Main Dock | Arnold | $40 a day, $40 a night |
| Valet parking | At the Arnold St. Ignace Main Dock | Arnold | $65 a day, $130 a night |
| Standard parking | At the Arnold St. Ignace Classic Dock | Arnold | $15 a day, $25 a night |
Drivers coming from Mackinaw City cross the Mackinac Bridge to St. Ignace and pay its toll.
Mackinac Island ferry docks
Shepler's lands at its own Mackinac Island dock at 7431 Main Street, and Shepler's has a ticket office on the island. Arnold lands at its Main Dock on Mackinac Island.
Mackinac Island has no cars. Visitors get around on foot, by bicycle or by horse-drawn carriage, and several shops on the island rent bicycles and wheelchairs. The city also bans hammocks, Segways and drones.
E-bikes are allowed only for riders with a qualifying mobility disability and a permit. The Mackinac Island Police Department asks for the application at least 14 days before the visit. Dogs stay on a leash on the island, by city ordinance.
Mackinac Island ferry in winter
Arnold runs a winter ferry to Mackinac Island from the St. Ignace Classic Dock. Shepler's and the Arnold fast ferry from Mackinaw City and the St. Ignace Main Dock do not run in winter.
The earliest boats on Arnold's winter timetable do not run on Sundays. Arnold changes its timetable on Thanksgiving and for the island's Tree Lighting and Christmas Bazaar, and runs no ferry on Christmas Day.
Arnold's winter service boat, the Huron, has a reinforced steel hull that breaks through forming ice.
Mackinac Island ferry FAQs
How long is the ferry ride to Mackinac Island?
The Mackinac Island ferry takes about 16 minutes on Shepler's direct departures and about 20 minutes on the Arnold fast ferry. Shepler's Mighty Mac departures under the Mackinac Bridge take about 25 minutes.
Does the Mackinac Island ferry take reservations?
The Mackinac Island ferry takes no reservations. Shepler's and Arnold tickets are good for any departure in their season, and Arnold boards first come, first served.
Can cars go to Mackinac Island?
No car can go to Mackinac Island, which bans motor vehicles. Shepler's and Arnold carry passengers and bicycles, and drivers park in the operators' lots in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace.
Can bikes ride the Mackinac Island ferry?
Shepler's and Arnold carry bicycles on the Mackinac Island ferry for a fare. E-bikes need a permit from the City of Mackinac Island.
Can dogs ride the Mackinac Island ferry?
Leashed dogs ride the Mackinac Island ferry on Shepler's and Arnold. Shepler's carries pets free and keeps them off the seats.
Does the Mackinac Island ferry run in winter?
The Mackinac Island ferry runs in winter from St. Ignace only, on Arnold's winter ferry from the St. Ignace Classic Dock. Shepler's and the Arnold fast ferry stop for the winter.
Where to park for the Mackinac Island ferry
Shepler's riders park in Shepler's lots in Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, and Arnold riders in Arnold's lots there, with a free shuttle to the dock. Both operators charge by the day and the night.