Lake Michigan Car Ferry: The Complete Guide to the SS Badger (2026)
wanderingmichiganwisconsin.com – All fares and schedules verified
There is no drive quite like the one that skips the drive entirely. That is exactly what the Lake Michigan ferry — the legendary SS Badger — lets you do. Instead of grinding through Chicago traffic or adding hours of highway miles around the bottom of the lake, you load your car onto a 410-foot steamship, pour a cup of coffee, and watch the shoreline disappear behind you. When you come back out on deck, you are on the other side of one of the Great Lakes.
Wandering Michigan Wisconsin contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of the links below, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we use and trust.
Read our disclaimer for more information.
My husband and I have been watching the Badger from a distance for years. She is part of the soul of this region — a ship named after the Wisconsin Badgers, built in 1952, that has been crossing Lake Michigan for more than 70 years. When you live in central Wisconsin and love both sides of this lake the way we do, the Badger is not just convenient transportation. She is the punctuation mark at the end of a great road trip.
This guide gives you everything you need to plan a crossing in 2026 — hard-to-find accessibility details, honest pet policy information, real motion sickness talk, current pricing, and what to do in both port cities before or after you sail.
What Is the SS Badger?
The SS Badger is the last coal-fired passenger steamship operating in the United States. She began her life in 1953 hauling railroad cars for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway across Lake Michigan — a shortcut that let trains avoid the congested rail yards in Chicago. When rail ferry service declined, the Badger sat idle until Lake Michigan Carferry relaunched her as a passenger and vehicle ferry in 1992.
She measures 410 feet and weighs 6,650 tons. On a crossing, she carries up to 600 passengers and 180 vehicles — everything from motorcycles and bicycles to full-size RVs and commercial trucks. She cruises at roughly 18 miles per hour across 62 miles of open water between Ludington, Michigan, and Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
In 2016 the U.S. Department of the Interior designated the Badger as a National Historic Landmark — one of the rare NHLs that actually moves. She is also a registered historic site in both Michigan and Wisconsin, a distinction essentially no other vessel in the country can claim.
The ship’s owners, Interlake Maritime Services, are studying a conversion from coal to cleaner fuel. That conversation is ongoing as of 2026. If you have ever wanted to experience a working coal-fired steamship, this is your window.
2026 Lake Michigan Ferry Schedule
The 2026 sailing season runs May 15 through October 11. Daily crossings operate in both directions between Ludington and Manitowoc.
Standard daily departures:
- Depart Ludington at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) → Arrive Manitowoc at 12:00 p.m. (Central Time)
- Depart Manitowoc at 2:00 p.m. (Central Time) → Arrive Ludington at 7:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)
Overnight crossings (June 19 – September 7 only):
- Depart Ludington at 8:45 p.m. (ET) → Arrive Manitowoc at 11:45 p.m. (CT)
- Depart Manitowoc at 1:30 a.m. (CT) → Arrive Ludington at 6:30 a.m. (ET)
One detail almost no travel article covers: the crossing spans two time zones. Westbound feels like three hours; eastbound feels like five. The ship is at sea for four hours each way. Set your phone to update on arrival and plan dinner accordingly.
The Badger is also an official segment of U.S. Highway 10, which runs from Bay City, Michigan, all the way to Fargo, North Dakota. Book early — summer weekends sell out well in advance. Reserve at ssbadger.com or call 1-800-841-4243.
2026 Lake Michigan Ferry Fares
Passenger fares and vehicle fares are priced separately. Spring: May 15–June 18 | Summer: June 19–September 7 | Fall: September 8–October 11.
Passenger (One Way)
| Passenger Type | Summer | Spring / Fall |
|---|---|---|
| Adult 16+ | $89 | $78 |
| Senior 65+ | $81 | $70 |
| Active Military | $81 | $70 |
| Child 5–15 | $44 | $44 |
| Child 4 & Under | FREE | FREE |
Vehicle (One Way)
| Vehicle Type | Summer | Spring / Fall |
|---|---|---|
| Auto, Van, SUV, Pickup | $102 | $102 |
| Motorcycle | $57 | $57 |
| Bicycle | $8 | $8 |
| RV / Camper / Trailer | $11/foot | $11/foot |
| Pickup Camper / Sprinter Van | $114 | $114 |
Staterooms add $61 each way. The Great Lake Getaway deal offers round-trip passage without a vehicle for $112 per adult (37% off), with two children under 16 free per paying adult. Call 1-800-841-4243 to book — this package cannot be reserved online.
What Is the Crossing Like? An Honest Account
Four hours on open water in the middle of a Great Lake is not the same as a lake cruise. On calm days the ride is smooth — passengers read, nap, play bingo, and barely notice the motion. On rough days, particularly in September and October when autumn storms push across the lake, you will feel it.
If you are prone to motion sickness, take Dramamine or a similar remedy 30 to 60 minutes before boarding — not after you start feeling queasy. Looking at the horizon from the open deck helps far more than sitting below.
You will not have access to your vehicle once the car deck closes. Pack a day bag with medications, a jacket, snacks, kids’ entertainment, and anything you need for four hours.
What to Do Onboard the SS Badger
Four hours passes faster than you expect. Badger Bingo is the legendary social centerpiece — the caller is enthusiastic, the prizes are real, and the competitive spirit is something you did not know you needed. The onboard museum walks through the Badger’s full history from railroad days through her 1992 rebirth; the original railroad tracks are still embedded in the car deck floor.
The Upper Deck Café serves full meals. The Badger Galley handles casual concessions. The Boat Bar serves a full bar and coffee bar. Free movies run in the lounge throughout the crossing. Kids have a scavenger hunt, coloring contest, game room, and the Kid’s Port Play Area.
wanderingmichiganwisconsin.com
Open deck space is ample. Walking the deck, watching for birds, and simply being on a Great Lake with nothing but water in every direction is an experience that earns the price of the ticket on its own.
Accessibility on the Lake Michigan Ferry
The SS Badger has accessibility accommodations — and it is worth understanding exactly what they do and do not provide, because the honest picture matters more than a simple yes.
Mobility
A stairlift transports wheelchair users and passengers needing assistance when boarding and disembarking (400-pound maximum capacity). Motorized wheelchairs must ride the lift separately from their users. Free manual wheelchairs are available first-come, first-served. The Movie Lounge and Badger Boatique are wheelchair accessible from the port-side passageway. A handicap-accessible restroom is on the main deck.
Upper deck access is limited. The Badger has no stairlift to upper deck areas — passengers with significant mobility limitations will be restricted to the main deck. If you need assistance, call 1-800-841-4243 ahead of time and arrive at least 90 minutes early.
Vision
Crew has been described across multiple reviews as helpful with orientation.
Hearing
Announcements are made over the PA system — passengers with hearing loss should inform crew at boarding.
Sensory
The engines produce constant low vibration and ambient sound; coal smoke may be detectable on deck under certain wind conditions. Indoor lounge areas buffer most stimuli.
Service animals are permitted in all passenger areas. Emotional support animals travel as pets.
Pet Policy on the Lake Michigan Ferry
Pets are not permitted in any passenger area. Your dog must stay in your vehicle or in a free kennel on the car deck. Once the car deck closes, you cannot visit your pet until the Cruise Director makes a midway announcement — weather permitting. Use windshield sunscreens in warm months. Service animals travel with their handlers throughout.
Honest answer: if your dog handles being alone in the car for four hours without distress, the crossing is manageable. If your dog has separation anxiety or becomes destructive when confined, plan a different route.
Tips for Planning Your Lake Michigan Ferry Crossing
- Book early. Summer Friday–Sunday sailings and fall color weekends sell out well in advance.
- Arrive at least 60 minutes early (90 minutes if you have accessibility needs). Staff drive your car aboard.
- Pack a day bag. Medications, jacket, camera, kids’ supplies — you cannot return to your vehicle.
- Layer up. The open deck drops 15 degrees below shore temperature even on warm days.
- Seasick caution: Take Dramamine 30–60 minutes before boarding, not on the ship.
- Time zone trick: Westbound gains an hour (feels short). Eastbound loses one (plan dinner accordingly).
- The overnight crossing is underrated — $61 stateroom, perfect for making the most of a Michigan day.
Port City Guide: Ludington, Michigan
The Badger’s home port sits at roughly the midpoint of Michigan’s western shoreline. Ludington is not overrun, not underdeveloped — exactly the kind of lakeside town that earns loyalty. The ferry dock is at 701 Maritime Drive, a five-minute walk from downtown.
The Ludington North Breakwater Lighthouse is accessible on foot from the beach. Ludington State Park, 8 miles north, is consistently ranked among Michigan’s finest — miles of dune trails, Hamlin Lake, lake swimming, and a lighthouse hike. Arrive early in summer; parking fills. Table 14 and Ludington Bay Brewing are worth your evening before departure.
wanderingmichiganwisconsin.com
Port City Guide: Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Manitowoc rewards more time than most passengers give it. The Wisconsin Maritime Museum houses the USS Cobia — a World War II submarine you can tour — along with exhibits on Great Lakes shipbuilding and a recreation of a car ferry pilot house. It sits directly across the river from the Badger’s dock.
The Wharf restaurant on the river has drawn strong reviews from Badger passengers for years. Downtown along 8th Street has independent restaurants and shops within walking distance. In 2026, the Badger arrives daily at noon — sail westbound and you have a full afternoon in Wisconsin before any hotel check-in.
The Manitowoc Breakwater Lighthouse on Lake Michigan, seen from the SS Badger arriving from Ludington. Photo: Mary / wanderingmichiganwisconsin.com
Arriving into Manitowoc — the riverwalk, bear sculpture, and downtown visible from the Badger’s upper deck. Photo: Mary / wanderingmichiganwisconsin.com
The giant fishing bobber welcome landmark at the dock is the first thing you see stepping off the Badger on the Wisconsin side — a detail unique to Manitowoc that no other port in the region can match.
SS Badger vs. Lake Express: Which Ferry Is Right for You?
The SS Badger crosses Ludington–Manitowoc, 62 miles in four hours. More affordable for families with vehicles, loaded with activities, a genuine experience. Adult one-way from $78 spring/fall, $89 summer, plus vehicle fee.
The Lake Express crosses Muskegon–Milwaukee in 2.5 hours at higher speed. Round-trip adult rates start around $207; vehicles add $253 or more. Choose the Lake Express if speed is the priority and Milwaukee or Muskegon fits your route better. Choose the Badger if the experience matters and you are in the Ludington / Manitowoc corridor.
Is the Lake Michigan Ferry Worth It?
A family of four with a vehicle pays roughly $460 round trip on a summer weekend. That buys eight hours of open-water Great Lake experience, activities, history, food, and the avoidance of Chicago traffic. You are also supporting the preservation of a National Historic Landmark.
For a solo traveler or couple, the spring/fall one-way with a vehicle runs just over $200 — less than a tank of gas for a longer route, with an experience you will still be talking about years later. Book early, pack a jacket, take your Dramamine before you board, and go.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Lake Michigan Ferry
May 15 through October 11. Daily sailings in both directions. Overnight crossings June 19 – September 7.
62 miles, four hours. Westbound travelers gain an hour (Eastern to Central Time); eastbound lose one.
Adults from $78 (spring/fall one way) to $89 (summer one way). Children 4 and under free. Vehicles from $102 one way. Staterooms $61 each way.
Yes, but pets must stay in your vehicle or a kennel on the car deck. Pets are not allowed in passenger areas. Service animals are welcome throughout the ship.
The main deck is accessible. A stairlift with a 400-pound capacity assists with boarding. Upper deck areas are not stairlift-accessible. Free manual wheelchairs available first-come, first-served.
Not required but strongly recommended. Summer weekends and fall color weeks sell out. Book at ssbadger.com or call 1-800-841-4243.
Yes, depending on conditions. Take Dramamine 30–60 minutes before boarding. The Boatique sells Sea Bands and ginger gum.
A jacket, medications, snacks, entertainment for kids, and anything you need in a day bag — you cannot access your vehicle during the crossing.
Yes. WiFi codes are $8 per device from the Cruise Director’s office.
Shoulder seasons (late May through mid-June and September) offer smaller crowds and spring/fall pricing. Summer has warmest weather and the full overnight crossing schedule.
Plan Your Lake Michigan Ferry Trip
SS Badger 2026 Season: May 15 – October 11
Ludington Dock: 701 Maritime Drive, Ludington, MI 49431
Manitowoc Dock: 900 S. Lakeview Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54220
Book: ssbadger.com | Call: 1-800-841-4243
If you are planning a longer Great Lakes adventure, our complete guide to the Road Trip Around Lake Michigan connects the SS Badger ferry with scenic drives, lakeshore towns, state parks, and accessible travel stops around the entire lake.
Have you sailed the Badger? Drop a comment below — I want to know which crossing you caught and whether the bingo caller was as enthusiastic as ours.
More Wandering Michigan Wisconsin
25 Fun Things to Do in Mackinaw City with Kids in 2025
31 Free Things to Do in Mackinaw City in 2025
17 Best Places to Eat in Mackinaw City
Mackinac Island Hiking Guide: Trails, Hiking Tips & Packing List
Hiking Near Mackinaw City: 10 Great Hiking Trails for 2025
7 Stunning Waterfalls Near Mackinaw City
Living on Mackinac Island – Is it possible & should you do it?
Where to Stay on Mackinac Island
Where to Stay in Mackinaw City
