How to Get to Mackinac Island: Your Journey to Michigan's Car-Free Paradise

I still remember the first time someone told me about Mackinac Island. "There are no cars," they said, and I thought they were pulling my leg. An entire island in Michigan where automobiles have been banned since 1898? It sounded like something out of a storybook. But after spending countless summers making the journey across Lake Huron's waters, I've come to appreciate that getting to Mackinac Island is half the adventure—and understanding your options can make or break your trip.

The thing about Mackinac Island is that it sits in Lake Huron like a jewel between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas, which means you can't just drive there and park. This isolation is precisely what has preserved its Victorian charm and horse-drawn carriage culture. Every visitor must cross the water, and that journey becomes part of the island's magic.

The Ferry Routes: Your Main Gateway

Most people reach Mackinac Island by ferry, and honestly, it's the most practical option unless you own a private plane or yacht. Three ferry companies have been shuttling visitors for decades, and each has its own personality and loyal following.

Shepler's Ferry operates from both Mackinaw City (on the Lower Peninsula) and St. Ignace (on the Upper Peninsula). They've been at this since 1945, and their crews have that easy confidence that comes from knowing every mood of the Straits of Mackinac. The crossing takes about 16-20 minutes, depending on weather and which dock you're using.

Star Line Ferry, with its distinctive red boats, also runs from both peninsulas. Founded in 1969, they're the relative newcomer, but don't let that fool you—their hydro-jet ferries are smooth operators. I've noticed Star Line tends to run a few minutes faster, though when you're watching the Mackinac Bridge grow larger or smaller behind you, those extra minutes hardly matter.

Arnold Transit is the granddaddy of them all, operating since 1878. They only depart from Mackinaw City, but their catamaran ferries handle rough water better than most. If you're prone to seasickness and the weather's looking dicey, Arnold might be your best bet.

Here's something the brochures won't tell you: during peak summer weekends, especially around the Fourth of July and Labor Day, these ferries can get packed tighter than a jar of pickles. I've learned to book the first morning departure or wait until after 3 PM when the day-trippers start heading home.

Choosing Your Departure Point

The eternal question: Mackinaw City or St. Ignace? Both have their merits, and your choice often depends on where you're coming from and where you're headed afterward.

Mackinaw City feels more touristy, with its fudge shops and souvenir stores lining the main drag. But that's not necessarily bad—it means plenty of parking options, restaurants for that pre-ferry breakfast, and hotels if you need to stay overnight before catching an early boat. The municipal marina parking lot is my go-to spot; it's huge, reasonably priced, and just a short walk to all three ferry docks.

St. Ignace has a quieter vibe, more like a working waterfront town that happens to send ferries to a famous island. The parking situation is generally easier here, with lots of street parking and smaller lots near the docks. If you're coming from the north or west, St. Ignace saves you from crossing the Mackinac Bridge twice, which matters when bridge tolls and gas prices add up.

One quirk about St. Ignace: the ferry ride is slightly shorter from here, maybe by five minutes. It doesn't sound like much, but on a choppy day when your stomach's doing flip-flops, those five minutes feel like a gift.

The Private Plane Option

Now, if you're feeling fancy or happen to be a pilot, Mackinac Island Airport offers another way in. This public airport has a 3,500-foot paved runway that can handle small aircraft. I've only flown in once, hitching a ride with a friend who owns a Cessna, and landing on an island with no cars waiting for you is surreal.

The airport sits in the island's interior, about a mile from downtown. Since there are no car rentals (obviously), you'll need to arrange a horse-drawn taxi in advance or be prepared for a pleasant walk through the woods. Great Lakes Air runs scheduled flights from St. Ignace, which takes all of six minutes—probably the shortest commercial flight you'll ever take.

Private Boats and Charters

The Mackinac Island State Harbor can accommodate private boats up to 200 feet, though most visitors arrive in more modest vessels. The harbor has both seasonal and transient slips, but here's the catch: during peak season, transient slips fill up faster than you can say "fudge." Call the harbormaster well in advance if you're planning a weekend visit between June and August.

I've watched plenty of sailors navigate these waters, and the Straits of Mackinac can be tricky. The currents where Lake Michigan meets Lake Huron create some interesting conditions, and fog rolls in without much warning. If you're not experienced with Great Lakes sailing, consider hiring a local captain or joining a flotilla.

For those without their own boat, several charter companies operate out of both peninsulas. It's pricier than the ferry but gives you flexibility on timing and the chance to see the Mackinac Bridge from water level—a perspective that never gets old.

Winter Access: When the Ferries Stop

Here's something that surprises many people: Mackinac Island doesn't shut down in winter. About 500 hardy souls live there year-round, and from January to March, getting to the island becomes an adventure worthy of Jack London.

When the ferry companies suspend service (usually early January through late March), transportation shifts to small planes and, when ice conditions permit, snowmobiles. Yes, you read that right—when the Straits freeze solid enough, a marked ice bridge allows snowmobiles to cross from St. Ignace. It's not for the faint of heart, and locals know to check ice conditions obsessively.

Great Lakes Air and Fresh Air Aviation provide year-round service, weather permitting. These small planes become lifelines for islanders, carrying everything from groceries to medical supplies. If you're planning a winter visit, flexibility is key—weather can ground flights for days.

Practical Details That Matter

Let me share some hard-won wisdom about the logistics. First, parking at either peninsula will run you about $20-30 per day, depending on the lot. Some hotels offer park-and-ride packages that can save money if you're staying overnight before or after your island visit.

Ferry prices vary by company but expect to pay around $30-35 for adults round-trip. Kids usually get a discount, and some companies offer family packages. Here's a tip: buy your return ticket open-ended. You might fall in love with the island and want to catch a later ferry, or conversely, bad weather might send you scurrying back earlier than planned.

The ferries run from roughly late April through October, with limited service into November depending on weather. During peak season (mid-June through August), ferries depart every 30 minutes or so. Spring and fall see reduced schedules, sometimes only four or five crossings daily.

Pack light if you can. While the ferry crews will help with luggage, remember that on the island, your bags will need to fit in a horse-drawn taxi or bicycle basket. I've seen tourists wrestling enormous suitcases onto carriages, and it's not pretty.

The Journey as Destination

After all these years of crossing to Mackinac Island, I've realized the journey itself offers something special. Standing on the ferry deck, watching the mainland recede while the island grows larger, creates a physical and mental transition. You're leaving behind a world of highways and hurry, approaching a place where the fastest thing on wheels is a horse at full trot.

The 15-minute ferry ride forces you to slow down, to notice the color of the water (impossibly blue on sunny days), the seagulls riding the wind currents, maybe even a freighter heading to or from the Soo Locks. By the time you dock at Mackinac Island, you're already operating on island time.

Some of my best island memories actually happened on the journey there: the morning we saw the sunrise paint the Mackinac Bridge pink and gold, the afternoon a pod of dolphins raced our ferry, the evening when fog turned the crossing into a mystical voyage through clouds.

Getting to Mackinac Island requires effort and planning, no doubt about it. You can't just hop in your car and drive there on impulse. But that's precisely the point. The island's inaccessibility has preserved it, creating a living museum of 19th-century life dressed up for 21st-century visitors. Every ferry ride, every small plane flight, every winter crossing on a snowmobile becomes part of your Mackinac Island story.

So whether you choose the crowd-pleasing ferry from Mackinaw City, the quieter departure from St. Ignace, or splurge on a private plane, remember that your Mackinac Island adventure begins the moment you leave the mainland behind. The journey across the water isn't just transportation—it's your initiation into a different way of being, a place where time moves at the pace of horseshoes on pavement and the biggest traffic jam involves a wedding carriage meeting a dray loaded with fudge.

Authoritative Sources:

Armour, David A. 100 Years at Mackinac: A Centennial History of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, 1895-1995. Mackinac Island State Park Commission, 1995.

McCabe, John. Grand Hotel Mackinac Island. Unicorn Press, 1987.

Michigan Department of Transportation. "Mackinac Bridge History and Statistics." Michigan.gov, 2023.

Porter, Phil. Mackinac: An Island Famous in These Regions. Mackinac State Historic Parks, 2016.

Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau. "Transportation and Ferry Schedules." Mackinac.org, 2023.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources. "Mackinac Island State Harbor." Michigan.gov/DNR, 2023.

United States Coast Guard. "Local Notice to Mariners - District 9." USCG.mil, 2023.