Put-in-Bay Ferry: Miller vs Jet Express (2026)
Miller Ferry from Catawba is the cheapest: about $18 adult round trip, free parking, and the only boat that takes a car or golf cart. It lands at Lime Kiln Dock. Jet Express from Port Clinton (or Sandusky in summer) costs more ($41.99 or $50 adult round trip), docks downtown Put-in-Bay, and runs the latest boats back at night.
Sort the room before the boat
On summer weekends the island sells out rooms before ferry seats. If you are staying over, lock in a Put-in-Bay hotel now, then pick your crossing below.
Check Put-in-Bay hotel pricesWorth booking before you sail
Hotel first, then a guided experience if you want time on the water without owning a boat. These are Viator deep links with our partner ID - availability and final prices are on Viator.
A guided paddle from the Kelleys Island State Park launch along the limestone shoreline, gear and beginner instruction included.
Why we recommend it: The most-reviewed tour on the island and the easiest way onto the water if you did not bring a boat. Calm, first-timer-friendly, and the shoreline geology looks completely different from the lake.
A guided loop through the state parks and preserves, from the Glacial Grooves to the island’s Devonian-era rock, on foot and by bike.
Why we recommend it: The best-value way to have someone who knows the island’s Ice-Age geology explain it, without renting your own bike and guessing at the trails. Active but easygoing.
A private two-hour sunset sail that passes Cedar Point from the water, the Marblehead Lighthouse and the Lake Erie Islands. You’re welcome to bring your own drinks.
Why we recommend it: A quieter evening after a day on the coasters or the bar strip, with the same skyline seen from the calm side of the rail. It’s the whole boat for your group, so it splits well across a family or a couple of couples.
Checking the Put-in-Bay live webcams and Miller Ferry Catawba dock cam before you leave is the quickest way to see line length and harbor chop on a busy Saturday. If you are trailering your own boat, read the wave forecast for zone LEZ143 (Reno Beach to The Islands) instead of a phone weather app.
Which ferry: quick pick
- Cheapest / bringing a car or cart: Miller Ferry from Catawba (Lime Kiln landing).
- Downtown bars / late boat home: Jet Express from Port Clinton.
- Kelleys Island with a car: Kelleys Island Ferry from Marblehead.
- Already on Put-in-Bay, hopping to Middle Bass: Sonny S from the Boardwalk.
- Luggage from Miller to a downtown hotel: rent a cart at Lime Kiln (E's or Erie Island) or take an island taxi. There is no Jet-style downtown shuttle at Miller.
Miller Ferry
Cheapest passenger option (~$18 adult RT); ONLY ferry carrying cars or golf carts to Put-in-Bay.
Jet Express
High-speed catamaran landing right in downtown Put-in-Bay. Runs late-night return boats for nightlife.
Kelleys Island Ferry
Direct car & passenger ferry from Marblehead to Kelleys Island - longest operating season.
Sonny S
A 10-minute island hopper between Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Island across the harbor.
| Ferry | Route | Crossing | Fare (round trip) | Carries | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miller Ferry | Catawba Point → Put-in-Bay (Lime Kiln Dock); also → Middle Bass Island | ~20 min | Adult $18 RT; kids 6–11 ~$3; car $23 each way | Passengers, cars, golf carts, bikes | Lowest fares, vehicles, families |
| Jet Express | Port Clinton & Sandusky (summer only) → downtown Put-in-Bay; summer Kelleys Island service | ~25 to 60 min | Adult $41.99 RT (Port Clinton), $50 (Sandusky, summer only; ended Sep 7 in 2026); kids 6–11 $8; youth 12–16 $17 | Passengers & bikes only | Speed, downtown docking, late nights |
| Kelleys Island Ferry | Marblehead (510 W. Main St) → Kelleys Island | ~20 min | Adult $26 RT; kids 5–11 $16; car $46 RT ($23 each way) | Passengers & vehicles | Kelleys trips, longest season |
| Sonny S | Put-in-Bay (Boardwalk) → Middle Bass Island | ~10 min | Adult $20 RT; kids 6–12 $10 | Passengers only | The island-to-island hop |
Miller Ferry: the workhorse from Catawba Point
Miller Boat Line runs the cheapest crossing: boats leave Catawba Point about every half hour in peak season, take about 20 minutes, carry cars and golf carts, and land at Lime Kiln Dock on the island's south shore, about 2 miles from downtown. Parking at Catawba is free. Get the Miller Ferry to Put-in-Bay fares & schedule for 2026, vehicle rules and dock details.
Jet Express: fast boats to downtown Put-in-Bay
Jet Express catamarans leave 3 Monroe St in downtown Port Clinton (and Sandusky in summer; that route ended September 7 in 2026), dock in downtown Put-in-Bay, take no vehicles and run the latest boats back on summer nights. Get the Jet Express schedule & fares for 2026, docks and late-night boats.
Kelleys Island Ferry: the year-round island boat
The Kelleys Island Ferry leaves Marblehead about every hour, carries cars, and runs the longest season of any island boat. Miller Ferry does not go to Kelleys. Get the Kelleys Island Ferry fares & schedule, then plan the day with our Kelleys Island guide.
Miller's published 2026 schedule runs through November 25 and the Jet Express ends October 25; after that the Port Clinton island air taxi is the winter connection.
Sonny S: the island-to-island hop
The Sonny S runs from the Boardwalk in downtown Put-in-Bay to Middle Bass Island, about ten minutes across. It is the classic add-on for a Put-in-Bay trip: ride over for lunch and the Lonz Winery pavilion, ride back for the evening. See the Middle Bass Island guide.
Is there a ferry across Lake Erie to Canada?
Yes, in summer. The Pelee Island ferry, run by Ontario Ferries, sails from Sandusky to Pelee Island, Ontario, in about 1 hour 45 minutes, with onward boats to Leamington or Kingsville. Every passenger needs a reservation and non-Canadians need a passport. None of the Ohio island boats cross the border. Read the full answer in ferry across Lake Erie: what actually runs.
Day trips vs overnight stays
A lot of visitors discover Put-in-Bay on a day trip: camp at Cedar Lane or another Catawba campground, ride Miller Ferry over in the morning, rent a cart, and be back on the mainland by evening. The full hour-by-hour plan is in our Put-in-Bay day trip guide. Jet Express from downtown Port Clinton works the same way if you want to walk off the boat into the bar strip without a cart. Overnight is worth it when you want fireworks over the lake, a quieter morning before the day-trippers arrive, or enough time for Perry's Monument, the caves and a winery without watching the clock.
Pairing islands is common in summer: Cedar Point in Sandusky one day, Put-in-Bay or Kelleys Island the next. In summer, Jet Express runs service between Sandusky, Put-in-Bay and Kelleys Island so you can string the trip together without driving the peninsula twice (that route ended September 7 in 2026). For fall 2026, Cedar Point runs HalloWeekends select nights through November 1.
Parking at the docks
Both operators run their own lots at the mainland docks, and both fill up on summer weekends. You do not need a car on the island, so leaving it in a mainland lot and walking on is the normal move. Typical 2026 rates:
| Dock | Operator lot | Typical day rate | Overnight / long-term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jet Express, Port Clinton | Main lot at 49 Jackson St (dock at 3 Monroe St) | ~$18/day | Capped ~$54 multi-day; long-term lot at 110 Harrison St ~$11/day |
| Miller Ferry, Catawba Point | Five large lots at the tip of the peninsula | Free | Free day & overnight parking; arrive early on Saturdays |
| Kelleys Island Ferry, Marblehead | Dock lot at 510 W. Main St | $20 per vehicle | The $20 pass is good for one month; $200 season pass; fills on summer weekends |
Get there early on a Saturday or holiday: the lots and the boats both back up by mid-morning.
Which dock to pick based on where you slept
Pick the dock closest to your base so you are not fighting Saturday traffic across the peninsula.
| If you stayed… | Take this ferry | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Port Clinton or Route 163 waterfront | Jet Express (3 Monroe St) | Walk or drive 5 minutes to the dock; land downtown Put-in-Bay |
| Catawba, Cedarlane or Walleyes RV Park | Miller Ferry (Catawba Point) | Closest ramp; cheapest fare; golf carts meet every boat at Lime Kiln |
| Marblehead, Lakeside or East Harbor campground | Kelleys Island Ferry or Miller for Put-in-Bay | Marblehead dock for Kelleys; Miller is a 15-minute drive across the peninsula for Put-in-Bay |
| Sandusky or Cedar Point area | Jet Express (Sandusky dock, summer only) | One boat to downtown Put-in-Bay or seasonal Kelleys service; no peninsula drive |
| Already on Put-in-Bay | Sonny S (Boardwalk) | Ten-minute hop to Middle Bass for lunch and the Lonz pavilion |
Need a place near the right dock? See where to stay and camping.
Boat sorted? Book the rest
Summer Saturdays sell out the island in this order: rooms, golf carts, dinner reservations. Get ahead of it: browse Put-in-Bay hotels & lodging and reserve a golf cart for the day you land.
Check Put-in-Bay hotel pricesPut-in-Bay ferry FAQ
Which Put-in-Bay ferry should I take, Miller Ferry or Jet Express?
Take Miller Ferry from Catawba Point if you want the lowest fare or need to bring a vehicle or golf cart; it lands at Lime Kiln Dock on the south side of the island. Take Jet Express from downtown Port Clinton (or Sandusky in summer) if you want the fastest passenger-only crossing, docking right in downtown Put-in-Bay, with the latest boats back at night.
How much does the ferry to Put-in-Bay cost?
Miller Ferry is the budget option: about $18 round trip for adults and just $3 for kids 6-11, with vehicles $23 each way and free parking at Catawba. Jet Express lists adult round trips at $41.99 from Port Clinton and $50 from Sandusky (summer only; that route ended September 7 in 2026); kids 6-11 are $8 and youth 12-16 are $17. It costs more than Miller but is faster and docks downtown. The Kelleys Island Ferry is about $26 round trip. Prices change season to season, so confirm with each operator before you go.
How long is the ferry ride to Put-in-Bay?
About 20 minutes from Catawba Point on Miller Ferry, about 25 to 30 minutes from Port Clinton on Jet Express, and about 45 minutes from Sandusky on Jet Express in summer.
Can I bring my car to Put-in-Bay?
Yes, but only on Miller Ferry from Catawba Point, which carries cars, trucks and trailers to Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Island. Most visitors leave the car in the dock lots and rent a golf cart on the island instead; the island is under 4 square miles.
Where do I park for the Put-in-Bay ferry?
Miller Ferry parking at Catawba Point is free, with five lots for day and overnight use. Jet Express uses a paid lot at 49 Jackson St in downtown Port Clinton, about $18 a day (its dock is a block away at 3 Monroe St). Summer Saturdays fill up by mid-morning; arrive early for holiday weekends.
Do the Put-in-Bay ferries run in winter?
No. Miller Ferry typically starts in late March and runs a reduced late-season schedule into late November (its published 2026 schedule ends November 25); the Jet Express season ends in late October (October 25 in 2026). In winter, island air taxi service from Port Clinton is the only link; see our airports page.
How do I get to Kelleys Island?
The Kelleys Island Ferry sails from Marblehead and carries both passengers and vehicles, with the longest season of any island boat. Jet Express also runs summer-only passenger service to Kelleys Island from Sandusky and Put-in-Bay (it ended September 7 in 2026).
Can I bring my dog on the ferries?
Yes. Miller Ferry and the Kelleys Island Ferry allow leashed pets on the open decks, and Jet Express allows leashed pets on the outdoor decks as well. Bring water; the crossings are short but summer decks get hot.
I am staying downtown Put-in-Bay. Which ferry should I use to leave at night?
Jet Express. It is the only operator that docks downtown, so you walk straight off the boat into DeRivera Park and the bar strip. It also runs the latest boats back to Port Clinton and Sandusky on summer nights. Miller lands at Lime Kiln Dock on the south shore, so a late return means a taxi or cart ride across the island before you even board.
How long is the wait to bring a car on Miller Ferry?
On a summer Saturday or holiday weekend, the vehicle line at Catawba can stretch to two or three hours, and island parking for cars is scarce once you arrive. Most visitors park free at Catawba, walk on as passengers, and rent a golf cart on the island instead.
Can I do a Put-in-Bay day trip without staying overnight?
Yes, and it is how a lot of first-timers try the island. Camp at Catawba or stay in Port Clinton, take Miller Ferry for the cheapest crossing or Jet Express to land downtown, and ride the last boat home. Book a golf cart ahead if it is a summer Saturday; carts sell out faster than ferry seats. The hour-by-hour plan is in our Put-in-Bay day trip guide.
Is Millers Ferry the same as Miller Ferry to Put-in-Bay?
Yes. People search both "Miller Ferry" and "Millers Ferry." The operator is Miller Boat Line from Catawba Point to Lime Kiln Dock on Put-in-Bay (and Middle Bass). Same boats, same dock cams, same fares.
Is there a ferry across Lake Erie to the islands?
Yes. From the Ohio mainland you take Miller Ferry (Catawba), Jet Express (Port Clinton, or Sandusky in summer), or the Kelleys Island Ferry (Marblehead). None of those three cross the border.
Is there a ferry across Lake Erie to Canada?
Yes, in summer. The MV Pelee Islander sails from Sandusky to Pelee Island, Ontario, in about 1 hour 45 minutes and carries cars as well as walk-on passengers; a second boat continues from Pelee to Leamington or Kingsville on the Ontario mainland. Sandusky sailings run roughly May through September, every passenger needs a reservation (1-800-661-2220), and non-Canadians need a passport.
How do you get to Kelleys Island by ferry?
Most visitors use the Kelleys Island Ferry from Marblehead (passengers and vehicles, longest season): $26 round trip for adults and $46 for a car in 2026. Jet Express also runs summer-only passenger boats to Kelleys from Sandusky and Put-in-Bay (ended September 7 in 2026). Our Kelleys Island Ferry page has the full fall and winter schedule.