Lake Express ferry schedule and guide
Lake Express runs the Milwaukee–Muskegon ferry, a seasonal high-speed car and passenger ferry across Lake Michigan between Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Muskegon, Michigan. The Lake Express ferry crosses in about 2 hours 30 minutes. Milwaukee is on Central time and Muskegon is on Eastern time, and each departure on this page is on its own port's clock.
Schedule up to date as of October 26, 2026
Contents
Lake Express ferry schedule
Closed for the season from October 20, 2026 to April 30, 2027.
Lake Express sails from Milwaukee and Muskegon every day of its season, with morning and afternoon departures from each port. On some summer days, Lake Express adds a night crossing each way.
Lake Express ferry times and the time zone change
Each Lake Express departure is on the clock of the port it leaves from, as Lake Express prints it. Milwaukee keeps Central time, and Muskegon keeps Eastern time, one hour ahead. A crossing from Milwaukee lands in Muskegon 3 hours 30 minutes later on the clock, and a crossing from Muskegon lands in Milwaukee 1 hour 30 minutes later.
Lake Express ferry fares
| Fare type | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|
| Classic cabin | ||
| Adult | $124.50 | $219.00 |
| Senior 65 and over | $116.00 | $207.00 |
| College student | $116.00 | $207.00 |
| Active military | $116.00 | $207.00 |
| Infant 4 and under | Free | Free |
| Premier cabin | ||
| Adult | $146.00 | $265.00 |
| Senior 65 and over | $132.00 | $237.00 |
| Vehicles | ||
| Car | $134.00 | $256.00 |
| Car with a trailer up to 18 feet long | $272.00 | $520.00 |
| Motorcycle | $82.00 | $164.00 |
| Motorcycle with sidecar or trailer | $139.00 | $278.00 |
| Trike | $99.00 | $198.00 |
| Bicycle | $8.00 | $16.00 |
- Each passenger and vehicle also pays a $6 fuel surcharge and a $9 port and security fee each way. Bicycles and infants pay neither. Vehicle fares do not include the driver or passengers. Premier cabin riders must be 12 or older.
Every rider buys a passenger ticket, infants included, and a vehicle ticket is on top of it. Each passenger ticket guarantees a seat inside the cabin. Children under 5 ride free, and minors must travel with a parent or legal guardian.
The Classic cabin has first-class airline seating and large tables. The Premier cabin adds steward service, work tables, power outlets and free soft drinks. Lake Express sells group fares for 15 or more riders.
Lake Express ferry details
| Operator | Lake Express |
|---|---|
| Crossing time | About 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Vehicles | Vehicles up to 8 feet 6 inches tall, 8 feet wide and 18 feet long, counting roof racks and anything mounted on the back. Trailers within the same limits are booked separately. |
| Reservations | Tickets are sold online, by phone and at the terminals, and popular trips sell out. A limited number of standby spaces may open on sold-out trips. |
| ID | Every rider shows one valid government-issued photo ID at check-in. |
| Bicycles | Carried for a bicycle fare |
| Motorcycles | Lake Express provides tie-downs, or riders bring their own. Riders secure their own motorcycles. |
| Pets | Pets ride in a free kennel on the vehicle deck, requested when booking, or in the owner's vehicle with the windows rolled up. No animals but service animals are allowed in the cabins. |
| Accessibility | The ship has an elevator and an accessible restroom. Both terminals keep a limited number of wheelchairs. |
| Restrooms and food on board | The ship sells food, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks. Riders may bring personal-size food, but no glass containers, coolers or alcohol. |
| Luggage | Drivers keep luggage in the vehicle. Walk-on riders can check large bags free at the curb, up to 2 per person. |
Milwaukee ferry terminal parking and directions
Lake Express leaves Milwaukee from the Milwaukee ferry terminal at 2330 South Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53207. Taxis usually wait at the Milwaukee ferry terminal when boats arrive, and Lyft and Uber serve it.
The city that owns the Milwaukee ferry terminal sets its parking fee, paid on arrival.
| Lot | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal parking | Milwaukee ferry terminal | $5 a day; free under 3 hours |
Muskegon ferry terminal parking and directions
Lake Express leaves Muskegon from the Muskegon ferry terminal at 1918 Lakeshore Drive, Muskegon, MI 49441. Grand Haven is 16 miles away, Holland 37 miles and Grand Rapids 42 miles, Lake Express says.
The city that owns the Muskegon ferry terminal sets its parking fee, paid on arrival. Taxis usually wait when boats arrive, and the Go2 by MATS on-demand minibus serves the Muskegon area.
| Lot | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal parking | Muskegon ferry terminal | $5 a day; free under 3 hours |
When to arrive for the Lake Express ferry
Lake Express recommends arriving 45 minutes before departure. Boarding starts about 90 minutes before departure, and the gates close 15 minutes before it.
Only the driver takes a vehicle aboard, with a boarding pass and the vehicle pass, and the rest of the party walks on by the passenger ramp. Nobody may stay in a vehicle on the car deck while the ship is underway.
Walk-on riders with special needs or children board first, then Premier cabin riders, then everyone else. Classic cabin seats are first come, first served. When weather cancels or delays a trip, Lake Express offers a full refund or a move to another trip.
Lake Express ferry FAQs
How long is the Lake Express ferry ride?
The Lake Express ferry crosses Lake Michigan between Milwaukee and Muskegon in about 2 hours 30 minutes. Muskegon clocks are one hour ahead of Milwaukee's, so the trip looks 3 hours 30 minutes long eastbound and 1 hour 30 minutes long westbound.
Does the Lake Express ferry run in winter?
The Lake Express ferry sails only from spring to fall and does not run in winter. The schedule at the top of this page says when Lake Express is closed and when its next season runs.
How much is parking at the Lake Express terminals?
Parking at the Milwaukee and Muskegon ferry terminals costs $5 a day, paid on arrival, and parking under 3 hours is free.
Do I need an ID for the Lake Express ferry?
Every Lake Express rider shows one valid government-issued photo ID at check-in and ticketing.
Can dogs ride the Lake Express ferry?
Dogs ride the Lake Express ferry in a free kennel on the vehicle deck or in the owner's vehicle with the windows rolled up. Only service animals are allowed in the passenger cabins.
More Lake Michigan and Wisconsin ferries
- SS Badger ferry, the car ferry across Lake Michigan between Ludington and Manitowoc
- Wisconsin ferries, every Wisconsin route on FerryRiders.com
- Michigan ferries, every Michigan route on FerryRiders.com