SS Badger ferry schedule and guide
Lake Michigan Carferry Service (Lake Michigan Carferry) runs the SS Badger, the Ludington–Manitowoc ferry, a seasonal car and passenger ferry across Lake Michigan between Ludington, Michigan and Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The Badger crosses in about 4 hours. Ludington is on Eastern time and Manitowoc is on Central time, and each departure on this page is on its own port's clock.
Schedule up to date as of October 26, 2026
Contents
SS Badger ferry schedule
Closed for the season from October 26, 2026 to May 13, 2027. The 2027 season schedule runs from May 14, 2027 to October 10, 2027.
Departures from Ludington, Daily
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 9:00 AM ET | Manitowoc |
Departures from Manitowoc, Daily
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 2:00 PM CT | Ludington |
Late departure from Manitowoc
This schedule replaces the 2027 season schedule on June 12, 2027.
Departures from Ludington
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 9:00 AM ET | Manitowoc |
Departures from Manitowoc
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 5:00 PM CT | Ludington |
Late departure from Manitowoc and no overnight crossings
This schedule replaces the 2027 season schedule on July 17, 2027; July 31, 2027; August 14, 2027.
Departures from Ludington
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 9:00 AM ET | Manitowoc |
Departures from Manitowoc
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 5:00 PM CT | Ludington |
No overnight crossings
This schedule replaces the 2027 season schedule on July 4, 2027; July 24, 2027.
Departures from Ludington
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 9:00 AM ET | Manitowoc |
Departures from Manitowoc
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 2:00 PM CT | Ludington |
Overnight crossings
This schedule replaces the 2027 season schedule on June 18, 2027 to August 20, 2027.
The 1:30 AM boat from Manitowoc leaves early the next morning, after the evening boat from Ludington arrives.
Departures from Ludington
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 9:00 AM ET | Manitowoc |
| 8:45 PM ET | Manitowoc |
Departures from Manitowoc
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 2:00 PM CT | Ludington |
| 1:30 AM CT | Ludington |
The SS Badger leaves Ludington in the morning and Manitowoc in the afternoon every day of its season. In midsummer, an evening boat from Ludington and a night boat back from Manitowoc add a night round trip, except on days with a shoreline cruise.
SS Badger ferry times and the time zone change
Each SS Badger departure is on the clock of the port it leaves from, as Lake Michigan Carferry prints it. Ludington keeps Eastern time, and Manitowoc keeps Central time, one hour behind. A crossing from Ludington lands in Manitowoc 3 hours later on the clock, and a crossing from Manitowoc lands in Ludington 5 hours later.
SS Badger ferry fares
| Fare type | Summer, one way | Spring and fall, one way |
|---|---|---|
| Passengers | ||
| Adult 16 and over | $95.00 | $83.00 |
| Senior 65 and over | $87.00 | $75.00 |
| Active military | $87.00 | $75.00 |
| Child 5 to 15 | $47.00 | $47.00 |
| Child 4 and under | Free | Free |
| Vehicles | ||
| Car, van, SUV or pickup truck | $109.00 | $109.00 |
| Pickup camper or Sprinter van | $122.00 | $122.00 |
| RV, camper or trailer, per foot | $12.00 | $12.00 |
| Bike rack or cargo carrier on a vehicle | $12.00 | $12.00 |
| Motorcycles and bicycles | ||
| Motorcycle | $61.00 | $61.00 |
| Motorcycle with sidecar or trailer, or trike | $91.00 | $91.00 |
| Motorcycle with sidecar or trike, with a trailer | $106.00 | $106.00 |
| Bicycle | $9.00 | $9.00 |
- Summer fares apply from May 31 to September 6, 2027, and spring and fall fares the rest of the season. A round trip costs twice the one-way fare. Vehicle fares do not include the driver or passengers. Trailers are measured from the tow vehicle's back bumper.
Every rider buys a passenger fare, and a vehicle fare is on top of it. Children under 16 must travel with an adult. Lake Michigan Carferry sells a private stateroom for the crossing and a discounted Great Lake Getaway round trip for walk-on riders who return within 3 days, booked by phone.
Riders can change a reservation until departure at no fee. A reservation cancelled before departure is refunded less a cancellation fee per fare, and booking fees are not refunded.
SS Badger ferry details
| Operator | Lake Michigan Carferry Service, part of Interlake Maritime Services |
|---|---|
| Crossing time | About 4 hours |
| Vessel | SS Badger, a 410-foot coal-fired steamship that entered service in . Lake Michigan Carferry calls the Badger the last coal-fired passenger steamship in operation in the United States, and it is a National Historic Landmark. |
| Capacity | 600 passengers and 180 vehicles |
| Vehicles | Cars, RVs, trailers, motorcycles, motor coaches, semi-trucks and oversized loads. The crew drives every vehicle on and off the ship. |
| Reservations | Strongly recommended, online or by phone, and Lake Michigan Carferry does not guarantee a spot without one. Reservations for RVs, trailers and oversized vehicles are highly recommended. |
| Bicycles | Carried for a bicycle fare |
| Motorcycles | Riders bring two tie-downs for each motorcycle. |
| Pets | No pets in passenger areas. Pets ride free in the owner's vehicle or in a kennel on the car deck, and a limited number of free kennels go first come, first served. Trained service animals may ride with their owners. |
| Accessibility | A chairlift carries wheelchairs and riders on and off the ship, up to 300 pounds, and motorized chairs ride the lift separately from their riders. The main deck has an accessible restroom, and free wheelchairs are available on board. No stairlift reaches the upper decks. |
| Restrooms and food on board | The Badger Galley sells concessions, the Upper Deck Café serves meals, and the Boat Bar serves drinks and coffee. Riders may bring water, soft drinks and prepackaged snacks, but no coolers and no alcohol. |
Ludington ferry terminal parking and directions
The SS Badger leaves Ludington from the Lake Michigan Carferry dock at 701 Maritime Drive, Ludington, MI 49431. Parking at the Ludington ferry terminal is free for paying passengers.
Ludington Mass Transit and local taxi companies serve the Ludington ferry terminal, and bike shops in Ludington rent bicycles.
Manitowoc ferry terminal parking and directions
The SS Badger docks in Manitowoc at 900 South Lakeview Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54220. Lake Michigan Carferry puts Manitowoc about an hour from Milwaukee.
Parking in Manitowoc is free for paying passengers, on the street in a secure, patrolled area, first come, first served. Several Manitowoc and Two Rivers taxi companies serve the Manitowoc ferry terminal.
When to arrive for the SS Badger ferry
Lake Michigan Carferry asks riders to reach the dock one hour before departure for ticketing and boarding. Reservations are held only until 30 minutes before departure, and then standby riders may take the space.
Drivers pass a security check by explosive detection dogs, check in at the ticket booth and park where an agent directs. Drivers leave the keys in the vehicle with the windows down, and the crew drives it aboard. The car deck is closed during the crossing, so riders take what they need for the trip before they leave the vehicle.
Walk-on riders board through the passenger area near the ticket office, where security checks bags. On arrival, drivers wait behind the safety chain until the crew parks their vehicle on the dock.
SS Badger ferry FAQs
How long is the SS Badger ferry ride?
The SS Badger crosses Lake Michigan between Ludington and Manitowoc in about 4 hours. Manitowoc clocks are one hour behind Ludington's, so the trip looks 3 hours long westbound and 5 hours long eastbound.
Does the SS Badger run all year?
The SS Badger sails only from spring to fall and does not run in winter. The schedule at the top of this page says when the Badger is closed and when its next season runs.
Do I need a reservation for the SS Badger?
Lake Michigan Carferry strongly recommends reservations for the SS Badger and does not guarantee a spot without one. A reservation is held until 30 minutes before departure.
Is parking free at the SS Badger docks?
Parking is free for paying SS Badger passengers in Ludington and in Manitowoc. Manitowoc parking is on the street, first come, first served.
Can dogs ride the SS Badger?
Dogs ride the SS Badger free, in the owner's vehicle or in a kennel on the car deck, and no pets are allowed in passenger areas. Service animals may ride with their owners.
Can I stay in my car on the SS Badger?
Riders cannot reach the SS Badger car deck during the crossing. The crew drives each vehicle aboard, and riders spend the crossing on the passenger decks.
More Lake Michigan and Michigan ferries
- Lake Express ferry, the high-speed car ferry across Lake Michigan between Milwaukee and Muskegon
- Mackinac Island ferry, from Mackinaw City and St. Ignace
- Michigan ferries, every Michigan route on FerryRiders.com