Page 16 - AAA Magazine – AAA Ohio Auto Club – May 2022

Kelleys Island
Put-in-Bay
Miller Ferry
Jet Express
Continued from page 13
PLOT A COURSE TO PUT-IN-BAY/SOUTH BASS ISLAND
The most convenient way to get to and from Put-in- Bay is via ferry, with two companies offering service to South Bass Island.
Miller Ferry runs regular trips from its Catawba mainland dock for both vehicles and passengers, with a minimal shut-down usually from late December to March. Miller Ferry can take your car, truck, camper, motorhome, boat trailer and more. On most weekends, overnight lodging reservations on the island may be required to bring your car, as island parking is at a premium. However, you do not need to bring your own vehicle
to the island. Within walking distance of the dock are a variety of rental options for golf carts and bicycles. If you are a walk-on passenger, note that arrival is about two miles from downtown. The Lime Kiln Bus and several taxi companies are available upon arrival. Transportation time on the Miller Ferry is about 20 minutes.
Jet Express offers seasonal, direct-to-downtown passenger-only service. This high-speed catamaran operates from two mainland ports – Port Clinton and Sandusky. Transportation time from Port Clinton is about 30 minutes. Jet Express offers comfortable, indoor seating, as well as an open-air deck, and is the only ferry to offer late-night service, with runs sometimes as late as midnight or later. The Sandusky boat also makes stops at Cedar Point and Kelleys Island, so the total excursion time is about 45 minutes.
Another option for reaching Put-in-Bay is via airplane. Flights are available via Griffing Flying Service and Island Air Taxi LLC from the Erie-Ottawa International
Airport. Planes carry up to 15 passengers along with freight. Smaller private planes can land at Put-in-Bay Airport during daylight hours only, as the runway is not illuminated. Call ahead to assure you can land, as the airport does close occasionally for special events.
Of course, private watercraft and boats of all sizes
are welcome at several public and private marinas. It is always a good idea to call ahead and reserve a transient slip if you’re planning to arrive via boat, as boating is
a popular area activity. Put-in-Bay harbor also offers mooring buoys, with water taxi service available to transport passengers to land. Buoys are available on
a first-come, first-served basis.
CRUISING TO KELLEYS ISLAND
Kelleys Island Ferry Boat Line offers daily auto/vehicle and passenger ferry service from Marblehead. Transportation time from Marblehead to Kelleys Island
is about 20 minutes. There is covered and outdoor seating for passengers. The Kelleys Island Ferry operates as lake conditions allow, with a minimal shut-down during the winter. The ferry arrives at Kelleys Island Seaway Marina, about a 1⁄2-mile walk from downtown. There are golf cart rentals available upon arrival and at several other locations in town.
Jet Express offers passenger-only service, direct to downtown. From the Sandusky port, the ride is approximately 25 minutes, sometimes with a stop at Cedar Point Marina. Therefore, guests at Cedar Point also can access both islands via the Jet Express. From the Port Clinton port, you can take the Jet to Put-in-Bay and then transfer boats to continue on to Kelleys Island, via the inter-island boat.
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