Jet Express to Put-in-Bay
The Jet Express is the fast catamaran that docks right in downtown Put-in-Bay - steps from the bars, DeRivera Park and the hotels. It costs more than the Miller Ferry and takes no cars, but it is the fastest boat and the only one that runs late into the night. Here is the 2026 schedule, fares, docks and parking.
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. Kids 5 and under ride free on every route.
| Route | Adult | Youth 12–16 | Child 6–11 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Clinton ↔ Put-in-Bay (round trip) | $35.00 | $15.00 | $8.00 |
| Port Clinton → Put-in-Bay (one way) | $20.00 | $7.50 | $4.00 |
| Sandusky → Put-in-Bay (round trip) | $40.00 | $15.00 | $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.
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 - lock yours in before you book the boat.
Check Put-in-Bay hotel pricesDocks: 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. 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 typically runs until around 11:45 pm - 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. 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), capped around $54 for a multi-day stay. A long-term lot a short walk away runs about $11 a day, cash only, paid before you enter. The lots are secured. 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 | Catawba Point |
| Lands at | Downtown Put-in-Bay | Lime Kiln Dock (2 mi south) |
| Adult round trip | ~$35 (Port Clinton) | $18 |
| Crossing | ~25 min (45 from Sandusky) | ~18 min |
| Last boat | Late - ~11:45 pm summer weekends | 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.
Check Put-in-Bay hotel pricesJet Express FAQ
How much is the Jet Express to Put-in-Bay in 2026?
From Port Clinton the 2026 Jet Express fare is about $35 round trip for adults, or $20 one way; youth 12-16 are $15 round trip, kids 6-11 are $8 and children 5 and under ride free. From Sandusky to Put-in-Bay it is about $40 round trip for adults ($23 one way). Bikes are $11.50. It costs roughly twice the Miller Ferry, 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 Sandusky at 101 W. Shoreline Drive (about 45 minutes). 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?
Yes - late-night service is the Jet Express’s signature. On summer Friday and Saturday nights the last boat off Put-in-Bay typically runs until around 11:45 pm, well after the Miller Ferry has stopped, and it docks downtown so you walk straight off the bar strip onto the boat. 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), capped around $54 for longer stays. A long-term lot down the street runs about $11 a day, cash only, paid before entering. The lot is secured. 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. That is by design: 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. Coolers, food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed aboard; drinking, smoking and vaping on the boat are not.
Can I take the Jet Express to Kelleys Island or Cedar Point?
Yes. From Sandusky the Jet Express runs seasonal 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). It is the easiest way to pair Cedar Point with an island day without driving around the bay.