How Much Does Lake Michigan Ferry Cost?

Published on November 4, 2025 | Prices Last Reviewed for Freshness: November 2025
Written by Alec Pow - Economic & Pricing Investigator | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Educational content; not financial advice. Prices are estimates; confirm current rates, fees, taxes, and terms with providers or official sources.

Lake Express runs a fast catamaran that crosses in about two and a half hours, which can shave hours off a drive that threads Chicago traffic. The S.S. Badger is a larger, slower carferry that typically takes about four hours and operates a spring-to-fall season with some overnight crossings. Both carry walk-on passengers, cars, motorcycles, and bikes.

Cost is a top concern if you are weighing ferry versus driving, especially when bringing a vehicle or traveling during summer peak. Lake Express lists separate passenger and vehicle fares, then adds a fuel surcharge and a port and security fee, while S.S. Badger’s posted fares are base totals without fuel or port surcharges.

Article Highlights

• Lake Express adult Classic is $114.50 one-way or $199 round-trip; Premier is $136 and $245, plus $8 fuel and $9 port fees per way per ticket.
• S.S. Badger adult summer is $86 one-way or $172 round-trip; autos $99 one-way, with a three-day $108 round-trip foot-passenger deal.
• Lake Express surcharges stack per passenger and per vehicle; parking is $5/day at terminals.
• Two adults with one car round-trip total roughly $736 on Lake Express and about $542 on the Badger before optional upgrades.
• Check waves on the NWS Great Lakes Portal to avoid rough crossings.

How Much Does Lake Michigan Ferry Cost?

Lake Express publishes adult Classic Cabin prices of $114.50 one-way and $199 round-trip, with Premier Cabin at $136 one-way and $245 round-trip. Standard vehicle tickets start around $124 one-way or $236 round-trip, and the line adds a $8 fuel surcharge and a $9 port and security fee per passenger and per vehicle each way. Prices vary by day and inventory (also summarized by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in April 2025).

S.S. Badger lists adult summer fares at $86 one-way and $172 round-trip, spring and fall at $75 one-way and $150 round-trip. Autos are $99 one-way and $198 round-trip. The “Great Lake Getaway” promo offers round-trip, three-day returns without a vehicle for $108 per adult by phone booking.

Real-Life Cost Examples

One traveler reported paying $279 total for a Lake Express round-trip Premier ticket without a vehicle in May 2025 (including taxes and fees) and switched to a one-way rental car when seasickness derailed the return—useful as a walk-on benchmark in peak months (Business Insider).

A family of four described spending $748 round-trip on Lake Express with a car in November 2024; their write-up breaks out base fares, the vehicle charge, and $72 per leg in combined surcharges, showing how quickly mandatory fees raise the final bill (Business Insider family trip).

Cost Breakdown

Lake Express separates base fare and add-ons. For each one-way, add $8 fuel surcharge and $9 port and security fee to every passenger ticket and to every vehicle ticket. For a round-trip, that is $16 fuel and $18 port and security per passenger and again for the vehicle. Parking at both terminals is $5 per day, free for short stays under three hours (see the operator’s FAQ).

S.S. Badger posts all-in base fares for passengers and vehicles and does not add a separate fuel or port fee on top of the listed prices. Optional items, like a private stateroom at $59 each way, can increase the spend, and online booking fees are nonrefundable. Parking near the docks is free for paying passengers, which helps offset costs (see Badger’s FAQ).

Also read our articles on the cost of the Staten Island ferry and the Balboa Island ferry.

Factors Influencing the Cost

Season and day of week matter. Both lines are busiest from late June through August, which is when you will see full sailings and fewer discounted seats, and Lake Express frequently layers promotions like Kids Ride Free or seasonal motorcycle deals outside the core peak window (check current specials). Book early.

Vehicle type drives the total, and the difference is not small, since a car adds $236 round-trip on Lake Express and $198 round-trip on S.S. Badger, while oversize setups on the Badger, such as longer RVs and trailers, are priced per foot.

Alternative Products or Services

Driving around the lake is the obvious alternative. The Lake Express crossing is about two and a half hours, while the drive via the Chicago corridor typically runs four and a half to five hours with variable tolls and traffic. Your time value and stress tolerance decide a lot here.

Regional flights exist but can be pricey and may involve connections. If you skip bringing a car, rideshare or a local rental on the other side can change the math, especially if you use Badger’s free parking or Lake Express terminal parking at $5 per day and walk on.

Ways to Spend Less

Travel as a foot passenger when you can. On S.S. Badger, the three-day round-trip without a vehicle is $108 per adult by phone, an aggressive value for short visits. On Lake Express, summer Kids Ride Free and fall “Motorcycles Ride Free” deals can cut hundreds off a family or rider itinerary.

Flex your dates. Spring and fall have lower Badger passenger fares than summer, and midweek often has better Lake Express inventory for cheaper Classic seats. If you do not need Premier, skip it, since Premier round-trip starts at $245 before surcharges.

Expert Insights & Tips

Check waves and wind before you pay the higher tiers. The National Weather Service Great Lakes Portal and marine forecasts detail wave heights and gale warnings by zone, which can influence comfort, delays, and even your decision to switch to a drive. Short crossings still feel long in rough seas (see a representative nearshore forecast).

Arrive early if you are bringing a vehicle and confirm any trailer or rack measurements. Lake Express caps standard vehicle length at 18 feet and posts separate trailer booking rules, while the Badger prices long RVs and trailers by the foot. Measure twice, avoid surprises.

Table: Two Lake Michigan Ferries at a Glance

Sources: Lake Express rates page and FAQ, plus S.S. Badger fares and FAQ, with adult Classic and Premier Lake Express fare points also reported by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in April 2025. Verify live pricing before you book since sailings can sell out.

Total Costs

Worked example, Lake Express, two adults with one car, round-trip Classic in summer, all fees included. Base passenger $398 plus vehicle $236, add fuel $16 per passenger and $16 per vehicle for $48, add port and security $18 per passenger and $18 per vehicle for $54, total about $736, plus $5/day parking. It adds up.

Worked example, S.S. Badger, two adults with one car, round-trip in summer with no stateroom, base passenger $344 plus vehicle $198 equals about $542. If you add a stateroom both ways, increase by $118 to about $660, with free parking near the docks.

Hidden & Unexpected Costs

Lake Express charges the surcharges on every ticket, passenger and vehicle, so families pay them multiple times. Do not forget the $5/day parking at either terminal, change fees for modifications, and cancellation fees if you back out inside the window (see the operator’s terms and conditions).

On S.S. Badger, oversize RVs and trailers cost more because pricing is per foot for those categories, and a private stateroom is $59 each way. If you book online, be aware the booking fee is nonrefundable even when you cancel within policy.

Booking, Payment & Refund Options

Buy directly from the operator for best accuracy on inventory and for promotions. Lake Express sets cancellation and change fees by ticket type and has a seventy-two-hour cutoff for refunds (see
terms & conditions), while S.S. Badger details its cancellation fees by passenger and vehicle and notes that online booking fees are nonrefundable. Read the fine print.

If you are sensitive to motion, check the National Weather Service Great Lakes marine forecasts on the day of travel and consider rescheduling if a gale warning or large waves are expected. A calm forecast can make a cheaper Classic seat feel like a smart buy.

Answers to Common Questions

How much does it cost to ride the Lake Michigan ferry as a foot passenger?

Lake Express adult Classic is $114.50 one-way or $199 round-trip plus surcharges, while S.S. Badger adult summer is $86 one-way or $172 round-trip, with a $108 three-day round-trip deal without a vehicle.

Are there extra fees beyond the ticket price?

On Lake Express add $8 fuel and $9 port and security per passenger and per vehicle each way, plus terminal parking at $5/day. S.S. Badger does not post a separate fuel or port fee and offers free parking for paying passengers.

Can I bring a car, and how much does it cost?

Yes. Lake Express cars start near $124 one-way or $236 round-trip plus surcharges, while S.S. Badger autos are $99 one-way or $198 round-trip. Trailers and RVs have special rules and pricing.

Are there discounts for families or short trips?

S.S. Badger’s Great Lake Getaway is $108 round-trip per adult within three days without a vehicle, and Lake Express commonly runs Kids Ride Free in summer and Motorcycles Ride Free in late fall. Call or check the specials page.

What is cheaper, driving around or taking the ferry?

For solo travelers without a car, S.S. Badger’s three-day deal can be the cheapest. For couples with a vehicle, driving may cost less in dollars but more in time, since the ferry saves hours compared with the Chicago routing. Your priorities decide.