Jet Express Put-in-Bay: Downtown Dock & ~$42 RT
The Jet Express is the passenger-only catamaran that lands downtown Put-in-Bay at DeRivera Park: about $42 adult round trip from Port Clinton, a 25-minute crossing, and the late boats Miller does not run. No cars. 2026 fares, docks, parking, and when the cheaper Miller Ferry is the better pick.
For current Miller boat times, see the Miller Ferry Put-in-Bay guide.
Land downtown, stay downtown
Because the Jet Express docks in the middle of town, a downtown Put-in-Bay hotel means you walk off the boat and drop your bags minutes later. Rooms on the strip sell out first on summer weekends, so lock yours in before you book the boat.
Check Put-in-Bay hotel pricesWorth booking before you sail
Hotel first, then a guided experience. Try the Black Pearl sunset sail from Sandusky or a Kelleys kayak. All write-ups: Lake Erie tours.
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 webcam before you leave helps you see downtown docks and harbor chop. For waves if you are bringing your own boat, use the NWS nearshore forecast for LEZ143. For the cheaper car ferry, see the Miller Ferry guide or the full ferryboats comparison.
Jet Express 2026 fares
Current Jet Express fares for the 2026 season. Round-trip fares differ by mainland port. Port Clinton is the cheaper, shorter run; Sandusky costs a little more and runs in summer only (it ended September 7 in 2026). Kids 5 and under ride free on every route.
| Route | Adult | Youth 12–16 | Child 6–11 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Clinton ↔ Put-in-Bay (round trip) | $41.99 | $17.00 | $8.00 |
| Port Clinton → Put-in-Bay (one way) | $26.50 | $17.00 | $8.00 |
| Sandusky → Put-in-Bay (round trip) | $50.00 | $17.00 | $8.00 |
| Sandusky → Kelleys Island | $42.00 | $17.00 | $8.00 |
| Sandusky → Cedar Point | $13.00 | $9.00 | $8.00 |
| Inter-island: Kelleys Island ↔ Put-in-Bay | $30.00 | $17.00 | $8.00 |
Children 5 and under ride free; bicycles are $11.50. Group discounts are available for 15 or more. Fares change season to season, so confirm current prices with the Jet Express before you travel.
Docks: downtown in, downtown out
The Jet Express boards at two mainland docks and lands right in town:
- Port Clinton dock, 3 Monroe Street, on the Portage River in downtown Port Clinton. About a 25-minute crossing. The Island Port passenger terminal here has a full-service bar while you wait.
- Sandusky dock, 101 W. Shoreline Drive (summer only; ended September 7 in 2026). About 45 minutes across, and the boat that also serves Kelleys Island and Cedar Point.
- Put-in-Bay dock, 239 W. Bayview Avenue, right in downtown Put-in-Bay. Walk off the boat into DeRivera Park, the bars and the downtown hotels.
That downtown-to-downtown routing is the whole point of the Jet Express: no drive out to Catawba, no 2-mile gap between the dock and the action. Arrive about 30 minutes before departure, and bring a light jacket for the ride home; lake breezes cool off fast after sunset, even in July.
Driving in to catch the Jet?
The Jet Express docks are in downtown Port Clinton and Sandusky, easy drives from Cleveland or Toledo. Flying in first? Compare rental car prices for the trip to the dock, then leave the car in the lot and ride over.
Compare rental car pricesLate-night boats: the Jet Express advantage
This is the reason to pay more. On summer Friday and Saturday nights the last Jet Express off Put-in-Bay runs until around midnight (12:15 am on the latest 2026 summer schedules), hours after the Miller Ferry has stopped for the night, and because it docks downtown, you walk straight off the bar strip and onto the boat. If your plan is an evening at the Bay and a ride home the same night, the Jet Express is the boat. On the fall 2026 weekend schedule the last Friday and Saturday boats leave at 11:00 pm, and the season ends October 25. Times vary by day and season, so confirm the last departure before you rely on it.
Parking in Port Clinton
The main Jet Express lot is at 49 Jackson Street, directly across from the 3 Monroe Street dock, at about $18 a day (cash or card), topping out around $54 for a multi-day stay. A long-term lot a short walk away runs about $11 a day, cash only, and you pay before you enter. The lots are secure. On summer Saturdays and holiday weekends they fill by mid-morning, so arrive early or come the night before.
Jet Express vs Miller Ferry, quickly
The two boats suit different trips. Here is the short version; our full Put-in-Bay ferry guide compares all four island boats.
| Jet Express | Miller Ferry | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves from | Downtown Port Clinton & Sandusky (summer only) | Catawba Point |
| Lands at | Downtown Put-in-Bay | Lime Kiln Dock (2 mi south) |
| Adult round trip | ~$42 (Port Clinton) | $18 |
| Crossing | ~25 min (45 from Sandusky) | ~18 min |
| Last boat | Late: around midnight on summer weekends; 11:00 pm fall Fri & Sat | Earlier evening |
| Parking | ~$18/day | Free |
| Carries vehicles? | No (passengers & bikes only) | Yes (cars, carts, bikes) |
| Best for | Downtown docking, late nights, speed | Lowest fare, vehicles, families |
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. If you are coming back the same night, follow the Put-in-Bay day trip plan.
Check Put-in-Bay hotel pricesJet Express FAQ
What is the Jet Express boat to Put-in-Bay?
Jet Express is the fast passenger ferry (no cars) that docks downtown Put-in-Bay near DeRivera Park. It leaves from Port Clinton (and from Sandusky in summer; that route ended September 7 in 2026), runs later than Miller Ferry on summer nights, and costs more. Use it when you want the downtown dock or a late boat back.
How much does the Jet Express cost compared with Miller Ferry?
Jet Express adult round trips are typically about $42 from Port Clinton and about $50 from Sandusky in summer (kids cheaper). Miller Ferry from Catawba is about $18 round trip for adults with free parking. Pay more on Jet Express for downtown docking and late boats; take Miller to save or to bring a car.
How much is the Jet Express to Put-in-Bay in 2026?
For 2026, Jet Express lists adult Port Clinton–Put-in-Bay service at $41.99 round trip or $26.50 one way; youth 12-16 are $17 round trip, kids 6-11 are $8, and children 5 and under ride free. Sandusky–Put-in-Bay, a summer-only route that ended September 7 in 2026, is $50 round trip for adults. Bikes are $11.50. It costs more than Miller, but it lands you downtown and runs the latest boats.
Where does the Jet Express dock at Put-in-Bay?
Right in downtown Put-in-Bay at 239 W. Bayview Avenue. You walk off the boat straight into DeRivera Park, the bars and the downtown hotels, with no taxi or shuttle needed. That downtown landing is the Jet Express’s biggest advantage over the Miller Ferry, which lands 2 miles south at Lime Kiln.
Where does the Jet Express leave from?
Two mainland docks: downtown Port Clinton at 3 Monroe Street (about a 25-minute crossing) and, in summer only, Sandusky at 101 W. Shoreline Drive (about 45 minutes; the 2026 Sandusky season ended September 7). The Sandusky boat also serves Kelleys Island and Cedar Point, so you can string islands together without driving the peninsula twice.
How long is the Jet Express ride to Put-in-Bay?
About 25 minutes from Port Clinton and about 45 minutes from Sandusky. The catamarans run up to 40 mph, making the Jet Express the fastest ride out of downtown Port Clinton.
Does the Jet Express run late at night?
In summer, yes. Late-night service is the Jet Express’s signature. On peak summer weekend nights the last boat off Put-in-Bay runs until around midnight (12:15 am on the latest 2026 summer schedules), well after the Miller Ferry has stopped, and it docks downtown so you walk straight off the bar strip onto the boat. On the fall 2026 weekend schedule (through October 25) Friday and Saturday boats run until 11:00 pm and the last Sunday boat is 6:30 pm. Times vary by day and season, so confirm the current schedule before you count on the last boat.
Where do I park for the Jet Express, and what does it cost?
The main Port Clinton lot is at 49 Jackson Street, directly across from the dock, at about $18 a day (cash or card), topping out around $54 for longer stays. A long-term lot down the street runs about $11 a day, cash only, and you pay before entering. The lot is secure. Summer Saturdays fill by mid-morning, so arrive early.
Can I bring a car on the Jet Express?
No. The Jet Express carries passengers and bikes only, no vehicles. Almost nobody needs a car on Put-in-Bay. Leave it in the Port Clinton lot, ride over, and rent a golf cart downtown. If you must bring a car or golf cart, take the Miller Ferry from Catawba instead.
Jet Express or Miller Ferry: which is better?
Take the Jet Express if you want to land right downtown, avoid the drive out to Catawba Point, ride the fastest boat, or catch a late-night return after the bars. Take the Miller Ferry if you want the lowest fare, free parking, or need to bring a car or golf cart. Downtown hotel guests and bar-hoppers usually prefer the Jet Express; families and vehicle travelers prefer Miller.
Is the Jet Express pet-friendly and accessible?
Yes on both. Leashed or caged pets ride free on the outdoor decks, and the boats and docks are ADA accessible; let the crew know if you need assistance when planning your trip. Jet Express allows coolers, food and non-alcoholic drinks aboard but bans drinking, smoking and vaping on the boat.
Can I take the Jet Express to Kelleys Island or Cedar Point?
In summer, yes. From Sandusky the Jet Express runs summer-only service to Kelleys Island (Casino Dock) and to Cedar Point Marina, plus inter-island hops between Kelleys Island and Put-in-Bay (about $30 adult); in 2026 that route ended September 7. In season it is the easiest way to pair Cedar Point with an island day without driving around the bay. For fall 2026, Cedar Point runs HalloWeekends select nights through November 1.