Miller Boat Line
Miller Boat Line
4.5
About
Ferries to the Lake Erie Islands of Put-in-Bay & Middle Bass Island, Ohio. Enjoy a Fresh Lake experience aboard Miller Ferry passenger/vehicle service to the islands of Put-in-Bay (20 min. trip) or to Middle Bass, Ohio (40 min. trip). See MillerFerry.com for fares, schedules, maps, events, coupons, restaurants, attractions, & Put-in-Bay passenger ticket purchase. Miller Ferry offers the most frequent trips, free parking & lowest fares.
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  • Rhonda
    Columbus, Ohio1 contribution
    Love riding this ferry
    Always on time, efficient load and unload, comfortable options for sitting, standing by the rail, in or out of cabin on the 20 minute ride. We got tickets online and avoided the ticket line. Overflow parking is $5 if free parking is full. Miller Ferry is doing a great job with safety issues during these difficult times.
    Thanks for choosing Miller Ferry! We hope to see you again soon.
    Written July 20, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited May 2020
    Written May 26, 2020
  • mikeandbetty7
    Grove City, Ohio84 contributions
    Pleasant Experience
    My wife and I used Miller Boat Line to go to Put-in-Bay on June 25, 2020. We enjoyed the experience. There was plenty of parking in their lot, easy online ordering of tickets. We did not wait long since the boats leave every 1/2 hour. There was plenty of seating on the boat and the ride over was smooth and comfortable. There is outside and inside seating on the boat. It took about 18 minutes to get to the island. Once there, we had plenty of options to get bikes or golf carts to travel around the island. The time frame of catching the boat was very convenient and we had no problems at all. Miller Boat Line was just a few minutes quicker and a lot cheaper than using the Jet Express. We definitely use Miller Boat Line again when we return to the area.
    We are happy to hear you had a great experience!
    Written July 20, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited June 2020
    Written June 26, 2020
  • Sharon M
    24 contributions
    Very busy but very efficient.
    Kind of expensive to transport our car round trip. Plus they charge for each passenger even though we stayed in our car. If you want to go to Middle Bass Island you have to make reservations and we had to book a round trip which was a 6hour time frame. There is a water taxi to put in Bay which is a nice trip, but in the end we decided to ferry I put in Bay and taxi to Middle Bass which has a couple of nice restaurants and a historic winery. No way could we have spend 6 hours there. The water taxi only takes cash so be preoared..
    Thanks for visiting, and we are happy to hear you got to experience both islands!
    Written July 11, 2021
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited June 2021
    Written July 3, 2021
  • Crystal A
    1 contribution
    Trapped in the car
    I was not informed when making the reservation that you not only pay for your car but also each individual inside the car. The first trip across the lake was fine, we were able to move about the ferry but the second trip was miserable. The cars were packed in so tightly that the car doors could not be opened and I have severe claustrophobia which caused a major panic attack. I was extremely upset and very nauseous the entire trip across the lake which is about 40 minutes. On top of that, one of the employees was instructing me on how to park and reached inside my car and grabbed my steering wheel without asking me if it would be ok. Considering all the issues with Covid, I found this very reckless on the employees part. Not only that but it was extremely rude to enter my personal space without permission.
    Hello, we are sorry to hear you did not have a great experience aboard the Miller Ferry. I will pass this information along to our general manager, and if you would like, please feel free to call our office at 800-500-2421 and we can get more information. Thank you!
    Written August 17, 2021
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited August 2021
    Traveled with friends
    Written August 12, 2021
  • Samantha L
    Sandusky, Ohio2 contributions
    Miller Ferry
    We love the Miller Ferry.... It's very affordable for your whole family unlike the other boat lines. Boats are constantly back and forth so the wait time is very minimal. They have free parking for your car while you travel. We have even taken are bikes and our dogs over on the ferry as well. We love it and choose it every time.
    Thank you for being a loyal customer, we look forward to seeing you soon!
    Written July 20, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited June 2020
    Traveled with family
    Written June 22, 2020
  • Bonnie Bettison
    42 contributions
    Convenient, Budget Friendly Ferry To Put-In-Bay On Small Bass Island!
    My husband and I used the Miller Boat Line to transport us to and from Small Bass Island, home of Put-In-Bay. It was convenient, easy and inexpensive to take a ride on this ferry. It says that the parking is free but we never made it to the free of charge parking lot before it was full. We did however find a parking lot near the embarkation point for this ferry that charged a reasonable fee of $5 for the day.
    Thank you for choosing Miller Ferry! We are happy to provide budget friendly travel to and from Put-in-Bay. We hope to see you again very soon!
    Written September 15, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited September 2020
    Written September 10, 2020
  • LeetylouandLarrytoo
    Stillwater, Oklahoma74 contributions
    Speedy, well run trip
    The price is right- you can choose to book on line with a small service charge or if it's not a super busy summer day, just show up to buy your tickets. You can sit upstairs. It's cool to sit right under the wheelhouse and see what the captain sees. Very professional. There was a bit of a squall right before we got on, but there was no issues with the crossing.
    We are glad to hear you enjoyed your trip and look forward to having you in the future!
    Written July 20, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited June 2020
    Written July 8, 2020
  • Julie L
    2 contributions
    Nice Ride to the Island
    This is a nice boat ride to Put-in-Bay! My son got a kick out of seeing how many cars could drive aboard. There was plenty of seating and the staff were very professional. All the staff had masks on per COVID which made us feel safe. The lake had large swells the day we took the ferry, so we were happy to be on a big boat.
    Thank you for riding aboard Miller Ferry, we are so happy to hear you and your family had a great time. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
    Written September 1, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited August 2020
    Written August 31, 2020
  • Barbf352011
    1 contribution
    Great Experience
    Miller Boat Line was so well organized - the day we went over to Put-In-Bay the ferry area was packed but the ferries just kept moving. We were there in no time. I also love the free parking and cleanliness of the ferry. Definitely recommend online reservations to avoid a long line.
    Thanks for riding aboard Miller Ferry, we hope to see you again soon!
    Written August 18, 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited July 2022
    Written August 3, 2022
  • Rachel A
    Columbus, Ohio7 contributions
    Made Our Island Wedding Possible!
    We are long time Miller Ferry riders here. After a year of postponing our wedding because of COVID, we decided to have a wedding on our property on Middle Bass Island. This meant chartering all of our friends, family, and vendors over and back. We contacted Miller Ferry first, to make sure that this was possible. They were wonderful to work with. We specifically worked with Cheryll, as she is in charge of private groups, and we were able to make reservations for everyone needed. She was quick to respond and easy to work with. Miller Ferry even chartered a private shuttle back to mainland later in the evening for us. We appreciated all of their extra work - Cheryll especially. The weekend came and went with no major issues. Thank you to the Miller Ferry team for making our wedding possible. Thank you to Captain Cooper for driving our guests back and forth. We love you guys!
    We were so happy you had a wonderful wedding on Middle Bass!
    Written May 27, 2021
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited May 2021
    Written May 11, 2021
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.5
464 reviews
Excellent
342
Very good
89
Average
18
Poor
7
Terrible
9

Crystal A
1 contribution
Aug 2021 • Friends
I was not informed when making the reservation that you not only pay for your car but also each individual inside the car. The first trip across the lake was fine, we were able to move about the ferry but the second trip was miserable. The cars were packed in so tightly that the car doors could not be opened and I have severe claustrophobia which caused a major panic attack. I was extremely upset and very nauseous the entire trip across the lake which is about 40 minutes. On top of that, one of the employees was instructing me on how to park and reached inside my car and grabbed my steering wheel without asking me if it would be ok. Considering all the issues with Covid, I found this very reckless on the employees part. Not only that but it was extremely rude to enter my personal space without permission.
Written August 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, we are sorry to hear you did not have a great experience aboard the Miller Ferry. I will pass this information along to our general manager, and if you would like, please feel free to call our office at 800-500-2421 and we can get more information. Thank you!
Written August 17, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Samantha L
Sandusky, OH2 contributions
Jun 2020 • Family
We love the Miller Ferry.... It's very affordable for your whole family unlike the other boat lines. Boats are constantly back and forth so the wait time is very minimal. They have free parking for your car while you travel. We have even taken are bikes and our dogs over on the ferry as well. We love it and choose it every time.
Written June 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for being a loyal customer, we look forward to seeing you soon!
Written July 20, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Bonnie Bettison
42 contributions
Sep 2020
My husband and I used the Miller Boat Line to transport us to and from Small Bass Island, home of Put-In-Bay. It was convenient, easy and inexpensive to take a ride on this ferry. It says that the parking is free but we never made it to the free of charge parking lot before it was full. We did however find a parking lot near the embarkation point for this ferry that charged a reasonable fee of $5 for the day.
Written September 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for choosing Miller Ferry! We are happy to provide budget friendly travel to and from Put-in-Bay. We hope to see you again very soon!
Written September 15, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

LeetylouandLarrytoo
Stillwater, OK74 contributions
Jun 2020
The price is right- you can choose to book on line with a small service charge or if it's not a super busy summer day, just show up to buy your tickets. You can sit upstairs. It's cool to sit right under the wheelhouse and see what the captain sees. Very professional. There was a bit of a squall right before we got on, but there was no issues with the crossing.
Written July 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are glad to hear you enjoyed your trip and look forward to having you in the future!
Written July 20, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Julie L
2 contributions
Aug 2020
This is a nice boat ride to Put-in-Bay! My son got a kick out of seeing how many cars could drive aboard. There was plenty of seating and the staff were very professional. All the staff had masks on per COVID which made us feel safe. The lake had large swells the day we took the ferry, so we were happy to be on a big boat.
Written August 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for riding aboard Miller Ferry, we are so happy to hear you and your family had a great time. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Written September 1, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Barbf352011
1 contribution
Jul 2022
Miller Boat Line was so well organized - the day we went over to Put-In-Bay the ferry area was packed but the ferries just kept moving. We were there in no time. I also love the free parking and cleanliness of the ferry. Definitely recommend online reservations to avoid a long line.
Written August 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for riding aboard Miller Ferry, we hope to see you again soon!
Written August 18, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Rachel A
Columbus, OH7 contributions
May 2021
We are long time Miller Ferry riders here. After a year of postponing our wedding because of COVID, we decided to have a wedding on our property on Middle Bass Island. This meant chartering all of our friends, family, and vendors over and back. We contacted Miller Ferry first, to make sure that this was possible. They were wonderful to work with. We specifically worked with Cheryll, as she is in charge of private groups, and we were able to make reservations for everyone needed. She was quick to respond and easy to work with. Miller Ferry even chartered a private shuttle back to mainland later in the evening for us. We appreciated all of their extra work - Cheryll especially. The weekend came and went with no major issues. Thank you to the Miller Ferry team for making our wedding possible. Thank you to Captain Cooper for driving our guests back and forth.

We love you guys!
Written May 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were so happy you had a wonderful wedding on Middle Bass!
Written May 27, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

TheBlairs_10
Ironton, OH211 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
We took the ferry over around 11am August 7 2020! We understand their policy with the mask. We also know what the Governor ruling for the mask are. This I am enclosing a copy of ! Not only did more than one employee question why we weren’t wearing a mask before we boarded. Than not one but two employees were harassing us over it. Saying I wouldn’t be going over to Put n Bay with all the sickness. That how convenient the entire family can’t wear one. All this loudly in front of everyone. This being said we were standing on the bottom of the boat not sitting up top. We were clearly six feet from other guest while they all turned to see what the issue was. They keep saying you are required to wear one. I explained what all three of my family medical issues was to both employees. That didn’t work they went and got the captain of the boat. I again explained to him and he said he couldn’t look at my medical documentation. I not only showed him I also explained what the governor order said. Again he was nasty,rude and saying how he wouldn’t be traveling to the island. This not only caused my medical condition to be become worse we were back on the ferry for main land by 5:30 due to this. Hope this is something that can be addressed and another guest won’t have to deal with this.
Written August 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We apologize you did not have a great experience aboard our ferry. We are passing this information along to our dock manager so he can address this directly with each boat crew. If you would like, please call our main office (800-500-2421) and ask for Caiti so we can gather more information. Again, we apologize and will make sure this is addressed.
Written August 9, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Valerie B
Gibsonburg, OH7 contributions
Sep 2021
We enjoyed the leisure ride to Put In Bay from Catawba and back. I purchased my tickets online which was a nice convenience. There was plenty of parking available. They are very efficient in loading vehicles and passengers. Did not take long at all. The Friday we went it wasn't crowded even though it was the eve of the Labor Day weekend.
Written September 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are glad you had a great experience!
Written September 12, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Heather P
2 contributions
May 2021
Smooth sailing with Miller! We anticipated a busy weekend and possibly not being able to take our car across, but we were able to (staying for 2 nights and on the boat by noon). Tickets were easy to acquire ahead of time for passengers and we just had to pay for the vehicle there. Everyone was quick and professional and pleasant. Trip home was even quicker, as they had three boats running. Wait time was no more than 45 minutes coming from Put-In-Bay, which is amazing. It's nice seeing the same experienced crew year after year. Makes the ride seamless. No issues at all!
Written May 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for choosing Miller Ferries!
Written May 27, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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