I think we were right in that ballpark. Visiting Port Ludington, Michigan The S.S. Badger's home port is in Ludington, Michigan, at about the halfway point between the northern and southern tips of Lake Michigan. We will never share your information. Travelling on weekdays is often cheaper than travelling at weekends. Its faster. That included movie headphones, non-alcoholic beverages, steward service, Wi-Fi and large work-friendly table seating with electrical plugins. What else can I tell you? New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Its $109 or $206, depending on if youre going one-way or roundtrip. The ferry experience was well, Ill say it again. Im guessing it would have taken us closer to 9 1/2 hours, just based on frequent bathroom breaks, food stops and traffic. So, Ill share a little about my own circumstances, and answer some of the questions I got once we told our friends and family that we had booked the trip. Lake Michigan car ferry SS Badger makes maiden voyage to Manitowoc And then we got stuck in severe traffic and the trip back took WAY too many hours, and I got all, I should have just sucked it up and paid for the ferry!. Google Maps said that would have been about 7 hours, 30 minutes down and through Chicago. Lake Michigan Car Ferry purchased the historic S.S. Badger in December 2020, and Shelby Soberalski, director of marketing and sales for that segment of the company, told Streetwise they are seeing a lot of passenger interest and reservations for the 2021 season are steady. If you are travelling on a ferry between two countries, you will most likely need your passport to check-in. There arent a lot of great answers. I had separated out some juice boxes and changes of clothes, just in case, but once your car is parked, you leave it down below deck for the duration of the trip. ONBOARD - Famous Badger Bingo - Shopping in the "Boatique" - Staterooms - Free Movies - Video Entertainment system available on your own device - Lounging indoor and out - Open Deck for Walking and Fresh Air - Board Games . Lake Michigan S.S. Badger Carferry - Visit Ludington A local subreddit for the State of Wisconsin. Her store often sees more foot traffic from people coming to Manitowoc to get onto the Badger than from people getting off the ship for the two-hour layover, she said. Unfortunately, there was no skeet shooting, shuffleboarding, gambling or hot tubbing on the ferry, which would have been nice. Ive already gotten some recommendations to try out the Badger, which goes between Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan. My husband and I decided wed take the ferry across with our SUV and two children, for a July trip to the Gaylord, Michigan area. Reddit, Inc. 2023. You cant stay with your car; you leave it down below. Visit https://www.ssbadger.com/trip-planner/ for details or to make reservations. Do I need tickets in advanced to cross from Muskegon to Milwaukee? Its not high-speed, but the cost is comparable, so perhaps next summer well test it out and Ill report back. But its really neat! Lake Michigan's high speed auto passenger ferry - Lake Express A classic kids ticket is normally $43 (or $74 RT), but this summer, we were able to get our kids passes free of charge, thanks to a summer promotion. Outdoor spaces at the Milwaukee ferry terminal feature views of Lake Michigan and downtown Milwaukee. A brief ceremony included remarks from Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels and new owners of the car ferry, Lake Michigan Car Ferry, a subsidiary of Interlake Maritime Services. Upon realizing Id be locked out due to my middle-class status, I got all, Help me, Im poor, a la Bridesmaids, but really -- $380 and I couldnt even respond to Snapchats? And then I learned about the Lake Express. Still, things are pretty nice inside the cabin. Bay View resident Stacy Dent often drives over the. Book Now - SS Badger He met us in the main cabin probably 10 minutes after we sat down. It has since been updated. She is passionate about preserving and protecting these natural habitats, and her mission is to share her knowledge with others with hopes of saving the nature. For more information, please see our Have you tried this ferry, or something similar? 168 reviews #1 of 10 Tours & Activities in Muskegon Sightseeing Tours Open now 4:00 AM - 11:00 PM Write a review See all photos About Lake Michigan car-passenger ferry that runs between Muskegon and Milwaukee. You keep your car packed, as well. If youre looking to cross Lake Michigan, you have the option of taking a ferry. Free Parking At Both Locations! The crossing takes approximately 3.5 hours. Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Is there a ferry across Lake Michigan? - LazyTrips SS Badger/ Lake Express ferry : r/wisconsin - Reddit Maybe youre in Michigan, with family in Wisconsin (or vice versa). Or perhaps youre planning some sort of trip across state lines, and you came across the idea of using a ferry to save some time around the Great Lakes. I had separated out some juice boxes and changes of clothes, just in case, but once your car is parked, you leave it down below deck for the duration of the trip. Premiere seats, for what its worth, will run you $121 one-way or $215 roundtrip (this is kind of like first class). The signage at the port was well-marked, the four of us got all checked in from our car, and the instructions inside the waiting area were more than clear. My husband drove our SUV onto the ferry and parked it, while I walked on board with the kids. SS Badger Ferry Amenities & Entertainment While You Travel The best kind of boat to cross Lake Michigan in would be a large one, around 23 feet long. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-78050367', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Toronto to western Canada in late September, via the US route. We didnt have any of that, and although Ive spent a lot of time on boats growing up and throughout the years, I didnt notice anyone else on our ferry who was outwardly struggling or downing Dramamine. But it was a really cool option. We were able to shave many miles and costs off by using the ferry to bridge Wisconsin to Michigan. . The Lake Michigan Carferry Service operates a ferry between Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan. Maybe another time! She is equipped to handle RVs, motorcycles, motor coaches, and commercial trucks. I do think for the price, all passengers should be allowed to use the WiFi. Historic Lake Michigan car ferry bringing back overnight - mlive She has traveled around the globe to discover hidden gems in the depths of these bodies of water. It felt kind of surreal to be crossing a Great Lake by ferry. The high-speed ferry goes from downtown Milwaukee right into Muskegon, Michigan. SS Badger Semi Truck & Oversized Load Ferry Rates & Info Lake Express (Muskegon) - What to Know BEFORE You Go (2023) - Tripadvisor What is the cheapest day to travel by ferry? Note: Reviewed and updated July 14, 2020. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. The senior fare for a one-way trip is $62, and the fare for a round trip is $112. Or should I head south from Milwaukee, cutting through Chicago, which always looks like a shorter trip on Google Maps, but comes with city traffic, seemingly endless construction (Im looking at you, Indiana), and almost guaranteed traffic jams? You can check the special offers section of our website for the most current deals. The ferry experience was well, Ill say it again. While onboard you can enjoy everything the ship has to offer. We did not travel with a pet, but found information on the ferry companys website that should answer your question. Going to be in your area the weekend of August 14-15- will be traveling from Muskegon to Milwaukee. These car ferries provide a convenient and affordable way to travel between the two states, and they offer a unique experience that you cant find anywhere else. Incredibly organized. Plus, its an experience, right? Phew. Both of these ferries offer cross-lake service for vehicles and passengers between Michigan and Wisconsin. Its website, http://www.lake-express.com, includes online booking and you can also call its reservation number at 866-914-1010. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-78054847', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car And it is an adventure :-). Refund and Cancellation Policy. This includes RVs, motorcycles, motor coaches, and commercial trucks. To bring a vehicle on board is another expense. The S.S. Milwaukee is smaller, with a capacity of 300 passengers and 60 vehicles. No other service offers the same convenience and speed. The ship travels at a top speed of 34 knots (39 mph; 63 km/h) and makes the 68-nautical-mile (78 mi; 126 km) trip three times daily from each side of the lake during the peak of its operational schedule. Im considering using it but a little leery. Over 2.5 million passengers served, connecting Manitowoc WI to Ludington MI. The catamaran can carry 46 cars, 12 motorcycles, 20 bicycles and 250 people on each trip. Premiere seats, for what its worth, will run you $121 one-way or $215 roundtrip (this is kind of like first class). DESTINATIONS How long does it take to cross Lake Michigan on the Ludington ferry. That just seemed wrong. 41 reviews 12 helpful votes Which car ferry to cross Lake Michigan? LUDINGTON, MI - Michigan's historic S.S. Badger car ferry is prepping for a full season of cross-lake service at full capacity after the COVID-19 pandemic caused a shortened season with. Thanks for the heads up! Adult fare is $67 one way, $100 RT, standard auto fare is $70 each way. Sign up for our free monthly email newsletter. It was WINDY up top aboard the boat, and you really can go explore the ferry as its moving, but you might not want to, especially with young children. How was your experience? This is a great deal for anyone planning a trip to Mackinac Island! <p>I've been daydreaming about driving from Minnesota to upstate New York, and was using Google maps to compare the drive time for the standard through Chicago route vs taking the ferry across Lake Michigan & cutting through Canada. The Lake Express, built for speed, has been in service since 2004. I had separated out some juice boxes and changes of clothes, just in case, but once your car is parked, you leave it down below deck for the duration of the trip. My husband drove our SUV onto the ferry and parked it, while I walked on board with the kids. Ferry Services | Michigan Children ages 5-15 are just $70 each and children under 5 are free. If it were just me, Id have spent more time up top. GEAR REVIEWS, Great gift ideas for hikers, outdoor, nature and national park lovers with 2020 updates, Holiday gift ideas for the active traveler, Popular gift idea for 2020: Exploring the world from home with top travel books, Updates for 2020: Gift ideas for the traveler on your list, Pictured Rocks: Michigans hidden jewel along Lake Superior. The Badger is significantly slower than the catamaran that goes to Milwaukee but it will deliver you to a location farther North, so you need to figure out drive time vs boat time. And it should save you from a traffic headache, thats for sure. The Badger goes from Ludington to Manitowoc. But it was a really cool option. He met us in the main cabin probably 10 minutes after we sat down. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. For mid-distance journeys, a trip by car (and, if needs be, ferry) can be a lot cheaper per passenger than even the most budget-friendly flights. The high-speed ferry goes from downtown Milwaukee right into Muskegon, Michigan. We are all really looking forward to it., RELATED: Savor Manitowoc has lunch at Holla restaurant. This story was first published in 2021. Its about a 2 1/2-hour ride, and although the price packs a punch, my family finally tried it out this summer, and we found it to be well worth the cost. The weather will determine the roughness but the ferry from Ludington is a bigger ship and has more nostalgia IMHO. Changes to reserved tickets may be made and are subject to the payment of a change fee of $10.00 per Child or Adult fare (1-way or roundtrip) covered by the reservation and $5.00 per Vehicle fare (1-way or roundtrip) covered by the reservation. Theres ample seating, there are little tables where you can set up and have a snack or a meal (we did bring food and then ordered some more once we were about a hour into our trip, which was basic fare but fine), and you can even see where the boat is on its trek across Lake Michigan, like on a digital map. Plenty of boaters were out, it was a gorgeous afternoon, and the views were unbeatable. Both of these ferries offer cross-lake service for vehicles and passengers between Michigan and Wisconsin. A night sky cruise in Northern Michigan, Polynesian wayfinder history lessons in Hawaii, and more. My husband said the parking was ridiculously organized, too. The SS Badger can accommodate up to 600 passengers and 180 vehicles during her sailing season. Also, can we expect a very rough crossing in late September? Heat and storms continue in the Orlando area. You keep your car packed, as well. The child fare for a one-way trip is $25, and the fare for a round trip is $45. But with a 3- and 5-year-old in tow, we thought it would be worth a try. It has since been updated. Ride aboard SS Badger a throwback to bygone era, Savor Manitowoc has lunch at Holla restaurant, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. I was recently feeling out the possibility of a summer road trip around the entire Great Lakes. These ferry employers seem like they have the process down to a science. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. The Lake Express is a catamaran ferry that provides service between Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Muskegon, Michigan. You dont have to get there too early, by the way -- the website recommends arriving about 45 minutes ahead of departure, just to be safe. Seeing as it was our first time on the ferry, I couldnt justify roundtrip tickets (what if my kids hated it? A shortcut built for bikes Hit the open road in safety and comfort when you enjoy the Lake Michigan shortcut between the home of Harley-Davidson and the scenic roads of West Michigan. And then the ride across Lake Michigan was, as promised, 2 hours, 30 minutes. Reserved tickets cancelled prior to the reserved departure time are refundable minus the following cancellation fees: $10.00 cancellation fee per Child fare (1-way or roundtrip) covered by the reservation. It sure beat pulling off the freeway every hour or so! Plus, its an experience, right? But with a 3- and 5-year-old in tow, we thought it would be worth a try. Assuming the ferry travels on Sundays. The S.S. Badger is the larger of the two ferries, and can accommodate up to 600 passengers and 120 vehicles. Or should I head south from Milwaukee, cutting through Chicago, which always looks like a shorter trip on Google Maps, but comes with city traffic, seemingly endless construction (Im looking at you, Indiana), and almost guaranteed traffic jams? The Lake Express high-speed ferry across Lake Michigan travels about 45 mph and covers the trip in approximately 2.5 hours. $20.00 cancellation fee per Adult fare (1-way or roundtrip) covered by the reservation. Let us know in the comments below. and our And its website was easy to navigate for reservations. Overall, we enjoyed crossing Lake Michigan by boat. If you can travel on a weekday, youll find it generally costs less than travelling at weekends. Published May 24, 2019 at 3:09 PM CDT Listen 4:30 Angelina Mosher Salazar / The Lake Express ferry heading out across Lake Michigan. Ferry between Petoskey, Bay Harbor and Harbor Springs kicks off - mlive Grand Traverse is a cross-lake car ferry that traverses Lake Michigan between Traverse City, Michigan and Green Bay, Wisconsin. If you are bringing other vehicle types not listed here please call our reservations office Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-8 p.m. at 1-800-841-4243 to speak with one of our agents. Its about a 2 1/2-hour ride, and although the price packs a punch, my family finally tried it out this summer, and we found it to be well worth the cost. Complimentary pet kennels for cats and dogs are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. It's about a 2 1/2-hour ride, and although the price packs a punch . Either route will work well for us. The Badger is one piece in the tourism piece that will help this area get rockin again, Hollahan said. If we had just driven? The options leaving from Muskegon include 10:15 a.m., 4:45 p.m. and 11 p.m. Ludington MI To Manitowoc WI SS Badger People & Car Ferry By that point, the boat had slowed way down, so it felt calmer. The Badger has a capacity of approximately 4,500 passengers and 610 vehicles. To bring a vehicle on board is another expense. What else can I tell you? Each trip across Lake . Schedule : S.S Badger Ferry crew will follow federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention coronavirus protocols and the ship will continue to be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, Soberalski said. The ferry itself (Michelle Ganley/GMG photo). For two adults and one car, it was $373 total, once you added in port and security fees, and a fuel surcharge. And then once we docked in Michigan, it was like, THATS when the annoying travel part really started. The SS Badger is the last surviving coal-fired passenger steamship in the United States. Children, ages 5-15 are just $70 each and children under 5 are free. That just seemed wrong. Contact reporter Patti Zarling at 920-606-2586 or send an email to pzarling@gannet.com. The Straits of Mackinac is a 70-mile connecting link between Lakes Michigan and Huron. We occasionally have special and seasonal offers available throughout the year. But were pretty slow-moving these days, so maybe you could go faster if youre without small children. MANITOWOC -There was plenty of pomp and circumstance as the S.S. Badger car ferry made its maiden voyage of the season across Lake Michigan Thursday and arrived at the Manitowoc dock on South Lakeview Drive. I've done both. With multiple daily crossings and record-setting speed, the ferry makes it easy to get across Lake Michigan. Lake Express 329 Reviews #29 of 173 things to do in Milwaukee Transportation, Ferries 2330 S Lincoln Memorial Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53207-1055 Open today: 4:00 AM - 11:00 PM Save eagl3s MILWAUKEE 18 49 Just TOO Expensive.even at SENIOR rates Review of Lake Express Reviewed August 25, 2009 Took the ferry one-way from Milwaukee. I need some crazy in my life and what better way to break loose than crossing Lake Michigan by ferry. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "acccb57d2557e7759ba91a5661886857" );document.getElementById("a67ad6e162").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); 2023 World lakes - Explore the Wonders of the World's Lakes. Were ready to crush this season, said Myke Hollahan, owner of Holla restaurant in downtown Manitowoc. I travel between the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area and Michigan pretty often -- at least every other month or so; sometimes more. But its really neat! And it should save you from a traffic headache, thats for sure. This offer is valid for travel round trip without a vehicle returning within 48 hours. To bring a vehicle on board is another expense. Upon realizing Id be locked out due to my middle-class status, I got all, Help me, Im poor, a la Bridesmaids, but really -- $380 and I couldnt even respond to Snapchats? The high-speed ferry goes from downtown Milwaukee right into Muskegon, Michigan. Let us know in the comments below. Maybe under choppier conditions, this can be an issue, but whenever I scanned the cabin, it just looked like happy people playing cards and enjoying a beverage or two. Alternatively, you may use, Baymont by Wyndham Bridgeport/Frankenmuth, Where to ditch the crowds for a peaceful Memorial Day Weekend. Maybe under choppier conditions, this can be an issue, but whenever I scanned the cabin, it just looked like happy people playing cards and enjoying a beverage or two. We took the 6 a.m. ferry and also absorbed the Lake Michigan sunrise. Whatever the reason is, these ferries do exist -- there are two of them that I considered for a recent vacation -- and Im here to report back and confirm the entire experience is incredibly cool. My kids, Analisa, 5, and Robby, 3. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. We took this trip in early August, choosing from Milwaukee departure times of 6 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Enjoy convenient highway access to both I-94 and I-43 providing fast and convenient connections to Green Bay, Madison, Minneapolis and St. Paul Minnesota and beyond. Ive already gotten some recommendations to try out the Badger, which goes between Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan. The S.S. Badger will carry passengers and cargo, running at a full 600-person capacity in 2021. If it were just me, Id have spent more time up top. Like other business owners, Weier said he feels good about the upcoming 2021 summer season. Milwaukee to Muskegon. 03, 2023, 12:14 p.m. SAFE + HEALTHY This story was first published in 2021. She has provided a fun, reliable and affordable shortcut across beautiful Lake Michigan for more than 70 years and has transported millions of passengers since her re . For two adults and one car, it was $373 total, once you added in port and security fees, and a fuel surcharge. Whatever the reason is, these ferries do exist -- there are two of them that I considered for a recent vacation -- and Im here to report back and confirm the entire experience is incredibly cool. It takes 2.5 hours to travel the 80 miles across Lake Michigan. The latest local, regional and national news events are presented by the Local 10 News Team along with updated sports, weather and traffic. I travel between the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area and Michigan pretty often -- at least every other month or so; sometimes more. It's about a 2 1/2-hour ride, and although the price packs a punch . Privacy Policy. Check with Lake Express for the latest information. The fares are one-way or round-trip. 2 Great Ferry Options For Crossing Lake Michigan And Taking A Break From Traffic January 9, 2015 Tom Transportation, United States Save Pricing updates below. The S.S. Badger comes into port at Manitowoc, Wisconsin, on . Fares : S.S Badger The four-hour journey is a perfect opportunity to sit back and enjoy the scenery, or to explore the ship and learn about its rich history. I do think for the price, all passengers should be allowed to use the WiFi. Id heard horror stories beforehand, involving the boat breaking down or travelers experiencing seasickness. And then the ride across Lake Michigan was, as promised, 2 hours, 30 minutes. Historic Lake Michigan car ferry now booking 2021 crossings It is 4 miles wide at the Mackinac Bridge and has a depth of 290 feet below lake level. Simply drive on to start your trip and drive off within minutes of completing your Lake Michigan crossing. What else can I tell you? Clearly, Mike is someone who is not afraid of adventure and is always looking for new experiences. If we had just driven? Id love to hear about your experience. : ). The ferry had a lovely sunset departure from Ludington, and we had a peaceful ride across Lake Michigan. But Im tired of being predictable. This cruise is the perfect way to enjoy the scenery of Lake Michigan while enjoying the comforts of home. Kudos to him for taking on this journey! Have you tried this ferry, or something similar? Its $109 or $206, depending on if youre going one-way or roundtrip. Maybe under choppier conditions, this can be an issue, but whenever I scanned the cabin, it just looked like happy people playing cards and enjoying a beverage or two. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. I tend to leave late at night to avoid or minimize the whole Chicago traffic-jam situation. And docking in Muskegon was beautiful. (from Muskegeon to Milwaukee). I like the Lake Express very much. This high-speed catamaran zips between Muskegon Michigan and Milwaukee Wisconsin in 2.5 hours. The experience might not save you a ton of time, depending on your final destination, but if you have kids, if you can afford it, if you want to see what the middle of Lake Michigan looks like, its well worth it for the memories. The four-hour, 60-mile cruise between Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan has all the comforts of home and more. The high-speed ferry goes from downtown Milwaukee right into Muskegon, Michigan. Even if youre never going to do it again, its one of those things you should try once, just to say you did it, if its at all convenient or can be worked into an upcoming trip. Free wifi and food service are available for travelers. Lake Express High Speed Ferry | Michigan And then we got stuck in severe traffic and the trip back took WAY too many hours, and I got all, I should have just sucked it up and paid for the ferry!. Oh, and this goes well beyond the quickie ferry to Mackinac Island, for Michigan people! ), so like I said, we only took the boat to Muskegon, and not back to Milwaukee. To ride in the classic cabin (which is just like, equivalent to a basic economy ticket on an airplane; nothing special is built in), its $99.50 for an adult, one-way, or $169 roundtrip. Sylvia Hill is a renowned explorer of some of the world's most famous lakes. $30.00 cancellation fee per Adult fare with Vehicle . For our ferry across Lake Michigan, we paid a little more for the premier cabin experience because, after all, we were on vacation. Incredibly organized. The brewpub is adding outdoor dining as well. We got to the Milwaukee terminal in about 10 minutes. By that point, the boat had slowed way down, so it felt calmer. She has traveled around the globe to discover hidden gems in the depths of these bodies of water. Maybe another time! And once the boat docked, we drove about three hours to our familys lodge near Gaylord. One of the bonuses is being one of the fewer places open on holiday weekends such as Memorial Day or Fourth of July so I get that extra traffic.. How many miles is the Lake Michigan ferry. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Google Maps said that would have been about 7 hours, 30 minutes down and through Chicago. This is because most international routes require this form of ID. 7 Michigan beach towns for a summer getaway, Embrace lake life, Midwestern-style, at these Michigan beach towns, 9 stellar stargazing experiences in the US to book now.
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