Put-in-Bay ferry schedule and guide
Two operators run the Put-in-Bay ferry across Lake Erie to South Bass Island, Ohio. Miller Boat Line (Miller) carries passengers, bicycles and vehicles from Catawba to its Lime Kiln Dock, and also sails from Catawba to Middle Bass Island. The Jet Express carries passengers from Port Clinton and Sandusky to downtown Put-in-Bay. Miller takes no reservations for riders or cars to Put-in-Bay, and the Jet Express does not run in winter.
Schedules up to date as of October 26, 2026
Contents
Put-in-Bay ferry schedule Late October 2026
- Miller Put-in-Bay: The Late October 2026 schedule runs from October 26, 2026 to November 1, 2026.
- Miller Middle Bass: The Fall 2026 schedule runs from October 26, 2026 to November 24, 2026.
- Jet Express Port Clinton: Closed for the season from October 26, 2026 to April 30, 2027.
- Jet Express Sandusky: Closed for the season from October 26, 2026 to May 21, 2027.
Miller Put-in-Bay
Departures from Catawba, Daily
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | Put-in-Bay |
| 8:30 AM | Put-in-Bay |
| 9:30 AM | Put-in-Bay |
| 10:30 AM | Put-in-Bay |
| 11:30 AM | Put-in-Bay |
| 12:30 PM | Put-in-Bay |
| 1:30 PM | Put-in-Bay |
| 2:30 PM | Put-in-Bay |
| 3:30 PM | Put-in-Bay |
| 4:30 PM | Put-in-Bay |
| 5:30 PM | Put-in-Bay |
Departures from Put-in-Bay, Daily
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Catawba |
| 8:00 AM | Catawba |
| 9:00 AM | Catawba |
| 10:00 AM | Catawba |
| 11:00 AM | Catawba |
| 12:00 PM | Catawba |
| 1:00 PM | Catawba |
| 2:00 PM | Catawba |
| 3:00 PM | Catawba |
| 4:00 PM | Catawba |
| 5:00 PM | Catawba |
Miller Middle Bass
Departures from Catawba, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 9:15 AM | Middle Bass Island |
| 11:45 AM | Middle Bass Island |
| 4:15 PM | Middle Bass Island |
Departures from Catawba, Fridays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 9:15 AM | Middle Bass Island |
| 2:15 PM | Middle Bass Island |
| 4:15 PM | Middle Bass Island |
Departures from Catawba, Sundays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 10:15 AM | Middle Bass Island |
| 2:15 PM | Middle Bass Island |
| 4:15 PM | Middle Bass Island |
Departures from Middle Bass Island, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 8:15 AM | Catawba |
| 10:45 AM | Catawba |
| 3:15 PM | Catawba |
Departures from Middle Bass Island, Fridays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 8:15 AM | Catawba |
| 1:15 PM | Catawba |
| 3:15 PM | Catawba |
Departures from Middle Bass Island, Sundays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 9:15 AM | Catawba |
| 1:15 PM | Catawba |
| 3:15 PM | Catawba |
Put-in-Bay ferry fares
Miller Put-in-Bay
| Fare type | Fare |
|---|---|
| Passengers | |
| Adult 12 and older | $9.00 |
| Child 6 to 11 | $1.50 |
| Child under 6 | Free |
| Bicycles | |
| Bicycle | $2.50 |
| Vehicles | |
| Vehicle | $23.00 |
| Motorcycle | $16.00 |
- Miller fares are one way. A vehicle or motorcycle fare does not include its driver's passenger fare. U.S. military members and veterans save $2 on a round trip with a military ID at the Miller ticket booth.
Miller Middle Bass
| Fare type | Fare |
|---|---|
| Passengers | |
| Adult 12 and older | $11.50 |
| Child 6 to 11 | $3.00 |
| Child under 6 | Free |
| Bicycles | |
| Bicycle | $3.50 |
| Vehicles | |
| Vehicle | $30.00 |
| Motorcycle | $23.00 |
- Miller fares are one way. A vehicle or motorcycle fare does not include its driver's passenger fare, and vehicles need a reservation. U.S. military members and veterans save $2 on a round trip with a military ID at the Miller ticket booth.
Jet Express Port Clinton
| Fare type | Fare |
|---|---|
| Passengers | |
| Adult, round trip | $41.99 |
| Adult, one way | $26.50 |
| Youth 12 to 16, round trip | $17.00 |
| Child 6 to 11, round trip | $8.00 |
| Child 5 and under | Free |
- Jet Express tickets are good for the 2026 season only and are not refundable unless Jet Express cancels a trip for weather. AAA, AARP, Golden Buckeye and military members save $2 on an adult round trip at the ticket window. A bicycle, e-bike or kayak costs $5.75 each way.
Jet Express Sandusky
| Fare type | Sandusky to Kelleys Island | Sandusky to Put-in-Bay | Between Kelleys Island and Put-in-Bay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passengers | |||
| Adult, round trip | $42.00 | $50.00 | $30.00 |
| Youth 12 to 16, round trip | $17.00 | $17.00 | $17.00 |
| Child 6 to 11, round trip | $8.00 | $8.00 | $8.00 |
| Child 5 and under | Free | Free | Free |
- Jet Express tickets are good for the 2026 season only and are not refundable unless Jet Express cancels a trip for weather. AAA, AARP, Golden Buckeye and military members save $2 on an adult round trip at the ticket window.
Riders buy Miller passenger tickets online or at the Catawba ticket booth. Miller prices RVs, trailers and jet ski trailers by length on top of the vehicle fare.
The Jet Express sells round-trip and one-way tickets online and at its ticket windows. A rider who misses a Jet Express boat or stays overnight exchanges the ticket at the window for the next boat with seats.
Put-in-Bay ferry details
| Operators | Miller Boat Line (Miller); Jet Express |
|---|---|
| Crossing time | Under 20 minutes on Miller from Catawba. About 25 minutes on the Jet Express from Port Clinton, and about 45 minutes from Sandusky. |
| Distance | 12.5 miles from Port Clinton to Put-in-Bay on the Jet Express |
| Vessels | Miller runs five car ferries, the largest the Mary Ann Market. The Jet Express runs four high-speed catamarans. |
| Vehicles | Miller carries cars, motorcycles, RVs and boats on trailers. The Jet Express carries passengers only. |
| Reservations | Miller takes no reservations for passengers or private vehicles to Put-in-Bay. Jet Express riders can buy tickets ahead online. |
| Payment | Miller and the Jet Express take Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. Both Miller docks and the Jet Express Port Clinton dock have an ATM. |
| Bicycles | Miller carries bicycles for a fare. The Jet Express carries bicycles, e-bikes and kayaks for a fare. |
| Pets | Miller carries pets free on a leash or in a cage, on the lower deck. The Jet Express carries pets free on a leash or in a carrier. |
| Luggage | The Jet Express has a free luggage cart at its docks. Miller has passenger and luggage drop-off areas at the top of its docks. |
| Accessibility | Miller's docks, the lower decks of its ferries and its dock restrooms are wheelchair accessible. No Miller ferry has a wheelchair-accessible restroom on board. The Jet Express boards with no stairs. |
| Restrooms and food on board | Every Jet Express boat has restrooms, and riders may bring coolers, food and drinks but may not drink alcohol on board. Miller prohibits open alcohol containers on its ferries and docks. |
Put-in-Bay ferries by port and dock
The Put-in-Bay ferries leave from three mainland ports and land at two docks on South Bass Island. Miller lands at the Lime Kiln Dock, 2 miles from downtown Put-in-Bay. The Jet Express lands at its downtown dock.
| Ferry | Leaves from | Lands at |
|---|---|---|
| Miller, from Catawba | 5174 East Water Street, Port Clinton, at the end of OH-53 | Lime Kiln Dock, 2190 Langram Road |
| Miller, from Catawba to Middle Bass Island | 5174 East Water Street, Port Clinton | Middle Bass Island dock |
| Jet Express, from Port Clinton | 3 Monroe Street, Port Clinton | Downtown dock, 239 West Bayview Avenue |
| Jet Express, from Sandusky by way of Kelleys Island | 101 West Shoreline Drive, Sandusky | Downtown dock, 239 West Bayview Avenue |
The Jet Express Sandusky boats stop at Kelleys Island on the way, and some stop at Cedar Point. The Kelleys Island ferry page covers them, with the Kelleys Island Ferry Boat Line from Marblehead.
Put-in-Bay ferry with a car
Miller is the only Put-in-Bay ferry that carries cars, and it takes them first come, first served. Miller does not take a car to Put-in-Bay and back on the same Saturday, Sunday or holiday. Drivers bringing a car on a weekend need proof of a place to stay on the island.
Cars leaving Put-in-Bay must be in line by a check-in time Miller posts for each season, earlier on Sundays and holidays, to be sure of a crossing. Friday afternoons and evenings to the island and Sundays and holidays off it are the busiest times for cars, and Miller may add trips then.
Commercial vehicles over half a ton can reserve with Miller by phone the day before. Miller allows two 5-gallon containers of gasoline or propane, carried inside a vehicle. Miller suggests day visitors leave the car in a free Miller lot and cross on foot.
Put-in-Bay ferry tickets and when to arrive
The Jet Express asks riders to arrive 30 minutes before departure. Boarding begins 15 minutes before departure, and riders should be in line at least 5 minutes before. Riders show a ticket on a phone or printed, and the ticket window helps riders with a photo ID.
The Jet Express has a dress code: shoes, shirts and pants or shorts. It does not allow swimsuits, see-through clothing or visible underwear on board.
Miller riders who need help boarding ask at the Catawba ticket booth, and a golf cart takes them to the ferry. At the Lime Kiln Dock, a golf cart carries riders who need help up the hill from the ferry.
Catawba ferry terminal parking and directions
The Miller ferry dock is at 5174 East Water Street, Port Clinton, OH 43452, at the north end of OH-53 on Catawba Island. Drivers on OH-2 take exit 124 for OH-53 North and follow it about 7 miles to its end. From downtown Port Clinton, drivers follow OH-163 east to OH-53 North.
Miller has five free parking areas near the Catawba dock, and all of them take day and overnight parking. Passenger and luggage drop-off areas sit at the top of the dock.
Port Clinton ferry terminal parking and directions
The Jet Express Port Clinton dock is at 3 Monroe Street, Port Clinton, OH 43452. The Island Port passenger terminal at the dock has a bar and an ATM, and taxis usually wait at the dock.
The Jet Express runs a main lot across the street from the dock and a long-term lot down the street. The long-term lot takes cash only, gives no change and is paid on entry.
| Lot | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Main lot | 49 Jackson Street, across from the dock | $18 a day, up to $54, cash or card |
| Long-term lot | 110 Harrison Street | $11 a day, cash only |
Sandusky ferry terminal
The Jet Express Sandusky dock is at 101 West Shoreline Drive, Sandusky, OH 44870. A free public garage at 158 West Market Street is a short walk from the dock.
Put-in-Bay ferry docks
Miller's Lime Kiln Dock is at 2190 Langram Road, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456, 2 miles from downtown. Riders without a car rent a golf cart or bicycle, take the bus or a taxi, or walk. A bike path runs between the Lime Kiln Dock and downtown.
The Jet Express dock is at 239 West Bayview Avenue in downtown Put-in-Bay. Golf cart and bicycle rentals are at the dock, and taxis usually wait there.
Put-in-Bay has a grocery store, a hardware store, a library, a gas station and a post office. The island has no pharmacy or hospital.
Middle Bass Island ferry
Miller runs the only mainland ferry to Middle Bass Island, from the same Catawba dock as its Put-in-Bay ferry. The crossing takes about 40 minutes, and the South Bass is the usual boat.
Middle Bass Island passengers need no reservation. Vehicles do, by phone up to two weeks ahead and by the afternoon before, and weekend reservations open on Thursday. Drivers must be in line 20 minutes before departure, or the reservation lapses.
Miller does not take a car to Middle Bass Island and back on the same Saturday, Sunday or holiday. High water can keep some vehicles off for clearance. Middle Bass Island has a grocery store and Middle Bass Island State Park.
Put-in-Bay ferry in winter
Miller starts each season at the spring thaw and runs until weather or ice stops it. When Miller sails past its printed timetable, it posts the extra trips on its website. The Jet Express does not run in winter.
Miller changes its timetable or cancels trips in high winds. Miller sails in the rain.
Put-in-Bay ferry FAQs
How long is the ferry ride to Put-in-Bay?
The Put-in-Bay ferry takes under 20 minutes on Miller from Catawba. The Jet Express takes about 25 minutes from Port Clinton and about 45 minutes from Sandusky.
Can cars go to Put-in-Bay?
Cars go to Put-in-Bay on Miller from Catawba, first come, first served and with no reservation. The Jet Express carries passengers only.
Which Put-in-Bay ferry goes downtown?
The Jet Express lands in downtown Put-in-Bay. Miller lands at the Lime Kiln Dock, 2 miles away, with buses, taxis and golf cart rentals at the dock.
Does the Put-in-Bay ferry run in winter?
The Put-in-Bay ferry runs from the spring thaw until winter ice on Miller from Catawba. The Jet Express does not run in winter.
Can dogs ride the Put-in-Bay ferry?
Dogs ride the Put-in-Bay ferry free on Miller and the Jet Express, on a leash or in a carrier. Miller keeps pets on the lower deck.
Where to park for the Put-in-Bay ferry
Miller riders park free in five lots near the Catawba dock, day or overnight. Jet Express riders park in its paid lots in Port Clinton or a free public garage in Sandusky.