Faqs – Lightbox

No.  All ferry tickets are valid for any departure from either Mackinaw City or St. Ignace during the current navigational season (April 21 – October 31, 2023).

An hour before your departure.  We suggest that guests arrive one hour in advance of their preferred departure time to assure a hassle free Shepler’s experience.

16-26 minutes.  Direct departures are typically 16 minutes from both Mackinaw City and St. Ignace.  Mighty Mac departures traveling under the Mackinac Bridge take approximately 10 minutes longer.  Please note that wind, current, and other natural factors beyond our control may play a small role in our travel time.

Yes.  Complimentary day parking and paid overnight parking options are available at both Shepler’s mainland locations.  Visit either our Mackinaw City or St. Ignace parking pages for more details.

There is no charge for the transportation of luggage to and from Mackinac Island.

Yes.  All tickets are round trip and can be used from either Mackinaw City or St. Ignace.  One-way tickets may only be purchased in person at any Shepler’s dock location.

When purchasing tickets online, all tickets and add-ons will be presented in one QR Code sent to you via email conformation.

Yes.  Shepler’s accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express online and in person at all three ticket office locations (Mackinaw City, St. Ignace, and Mackinac Island).

Yes.  Our 3-Ticket Online Special can be used individually.  Please note each guest must have a valid mobile or printed confirmation with QR code for boarding. For parties not traveling together, please assure each guest has a copy of the confirmation for boarding.

No.  If traveling for the day, you will proceed directly to the boarding area for scanning of your printed or digital confirmation.  The QR code on your confirmation is required for scanning at boarding.  If staying overnight on the Island, please see our parking page for details on how to proceed in both Mackinaw City and St. Ignace.

No.  All ticket sales are final and non-refundable.  Please visit our terms and conditions page for additional information.

Yes.  First and foremost thank you to you or your family member for your/their service to our country.  Shepler’s offers the following discounted rates for all active and retired U.S. military.  Our military rates are only available in person at either Shepler’s ticket office.  Valid military ID is required when purchasing and the discount applies active/retired member, spouse, and dependent children in the household.  Military Rates: Adult $24.00 and Child (5-12) $16.00.

Guests staying at Grand Hotel or Mission Point Resort will receive $2 off adult tickets and $1 off child tickets at our ticket offices. This $2/$1 discount is also offered automatically when purchasing tickets online.

Yes.  View complete 2023 ticket and package pricing here.

A ticket or QR code.  For guests purchasing online, the QR code from your emailed confirmation will be scanned at boarding.  A hard copy, the emailed version on your mobile device, or even a screen shot of the QR code may all be used upon arrival.  For guests purchasing tickets at our ticket office, the QR code on each ticket will be scanned.

Yes.  Tickets or confirmation QR codes must also be available when departing Mackinac Island.  Passengers unable to provide their ticket or verify their confirmation code may be required to purchase a one-way ticket back to the mainland.

Support.  Please call 800-828-6157 to speak with our in-house guest services team.
(Mon-Fri 9am – 5pm Eastern Standard time).

Yes.  The United States Coast Guard requires a valid ticket for passengers of all ages.  Children ages 5-12 require a paid ticket and children under 5 travel at no charge. Visit our tickets page for details and to purchase online.

There is no charge and tickets are not required for bringing strollers and passenger wagons to and from Mackinac Island.  For their safety, children must be removed from strollers and passenger wagons and seated with an accompanying adult.  Strollers and passenger wagons will be securely stored on the aft deck of our motor vessels while underway. Any type of carrier intended to be used for non-passenger use will be subject to a roundtrip utility cart fee.

No.  Eating, drinking, or smoking is not permitted on any scheduled departure between Mackinac Island and the mainland.

Yes.  Definitely!  Please be sure so share your memories using #RideSheplers

Online or in print.  View our online schedule for current departure information from both Mackinaw City and St. Ignace (Mighty Mac departures are noted in blue).  Our printed schedule is color-coded for added convenience. Departures in black operate daily throughout the season. Departures in blue are our Mighty Mac Departures that also operate daily. All other colors are additional departures that operate on specific dates noted at the bottom of the schedule.

A fun ride under the bridge!  Our Mighty Mac departures are regularly priced departures which travel under the Mackinac Bridge for a brief narrated tour via our captain while also offering great photo opportunities.  There is no additional charge for our Mighty Mac departures.  Guests traveling on a Mighty Mac departure should anticipate a 25 minute trip to Mackinac Island.  View Mighty Mac departure times.

Yes.  Bikes, burleys, and bike trailers each require their own round trip ticket for travel ($21 each).  Tandem bike tickets are $42.  Purchase bike/burley/trailer tickets online when you purchase your ferry tickets here!

Joint effort.  After purchasing tickets, guests with bikes should proceed directly to the boarding area at the dock.  Shepler’s cast members will be available at boarding to assist in loading and unloading bikes from the aft deck of the ferry.  For safety reasons, please walk bikes and refrain from riding bikes on Shepler’s dock or while in line.

Yes.  Several bike rental locations are available throughout downtown Mackinac Island.  Please visit mackinacisland.org for additional information.

We recommend families bringing their bikes for the day to ride them to our main dock from the Day Lot. It is about a 5-7 minute bike ride down Mackinaw Crossings Drive to our main dock located at 556 E. Central Ave. Shuttles have limited space to take bikes on the shuttle. In addition, please fold  your strollers when boarding the shuttle to save room for other guests.

E-bikes on Mackinac Island are prohibited, with some exceptions. It is your responsibility to view those exceptions at cityofmi.org or call 906-847-3300 directly. Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry is not responsible should your E-bike be impounded or fines if you are ticketed.

Yes.  Each Shepler’s ferry is completely ADA compliant.  Our helpful cast members are ready to assist any guests requiring special assistance.  Our motor vessels built prior to 1990 include steps down to the main cabin.  Guests unable to manage the steps with assistance may ride comfortably on the aft deck in their wheelchair or scooter.  The Miss Margy (launched 2015) and William Richard (launched 2020) both feature a more barrier free design, allowing guests unable to transfer from their chairs or scooter to access the main cabin and ride at the front of the cabin without transferring.  Please note that wheelchairs, scooters, or strollers may not block the aisles for safety reasons.  We welcome questions from any guest requiring special assistance.  Please contact us so that we may be of service in assuring a comfortable ride to Mackinac Island.

Yes.  Each parking area features an appropriate number of accessible spaces per the ADA.

Yes.  Wheelchair accessible trams and shuttles operate at both Mackinaw City and St. Ignace.  Please note that not all trams and shuttles are fully accessible and able to carry wheelchairs/scooters, but we will make sure an accessible vehicle is dispatched.  Please ask the nearest Shepler’s cast member should you require assistance in boarding an accessible tram or shuttle.

Yes.  Wheelchairs are available for rent at various island bike rental locations.  Visit mackinacisland.org for additional information.

No.  Complimentary day parking is available in both Mackinaw City and St. Ignace.  Premium Dock Lot parking is also available in Mackinaw City at $45 per night or St. Ignace for $40 per night.   Please view our Mackinaw City or St. Ignace  direction pages for details and instructions before your visit.

Yes. Overnight parking is available in  both Mackinaw City and St. Ignace. We offer our standard parking at an off-site, self-park lot a couple blocks away from our dock for $20 per night. In addition, we offer premium on-site parking in both Mackinaw City ($45 per night) and St. Ignace ($40 per night). Visit our Mackinaw City or St. Ignace parking pages for details and instructions before your visit.

Yes.  Day parking for motorcycles is complimentary at both Mackinaw City and St. Ignace.  Please inquire about overnight parking options on arrival.  Limited indoor parking for motorcycles is available in St. Ignace.

Yes.  Parking for RVs is available in both Mackinaw City and St. Ignace.  Please contact us for details on parking your RV either for the day or overnight.

Yes.  Current fares are $4.00 per passenger vehicle or $2.00 per axle. For all other vehicles the fare is $5.00 per axle. Please visit Mackinac Bridge Authority for additional information.

Cars plus a whole lot more.  The City of Mackinac Island banned motorized vehicles in 1898.  In addition to vehicles, hammocks, Segways, and drones are also prohibited.  Should you have questions about any of above (or unlisted) items, please contact the City of Mackinac Island to avoid fines and/or ejection from the island.

Yes.  Leashed (or caged) pets are welcome on all ferry departures between Mackinac Island and the mainland.  Only trained service animals are permitted on our cruises and private charters.

Non-service pets are welcome to remain at your feet next to your person, or in your lap.  Pets are not permitted on seats designed for guest enjoyment.  There is no additional charge for pets.

Guests wishing to board their pet for the day can do so in Mackinaw City at Trails End Kennel.  Guests may not under any circumstance leave pets unattended in their vehicles.