Major city · United States
Grand IsleGrand Isle, Vermont
Go for a half-day stop on a Lake Champlain road trip: ferry crossing, state park beach, and a log cabin museum. Not a base.
Grand Isle is a quiet island town on US 2 between Burlington and the Canadian border. Its main draws are Grand Isle State Park (beach and camping), the historic Hyde Log Cabin, and the 24-hour ferry to Plattsburgh, NY. Most travellers pass through in 2–4 hours; an overnight stay suits campers or anglers.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (many facilities closed or limited)
- Airport
- BTV
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Grand Isle911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Grand Isle County Sheriff802-372-4411
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Grand Isle, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe; standard rural precautions.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 802-372-4411 Grand Isle County Sheriff
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBTV Burlington International Airport (About 40 min drive south on US 2).
- Getting aroundCar is essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Street or quick mealBurger and fries at Kim's Snack Stand$8–12
- Museum or sight ticketState park entry, per vehicle$5 (check)
- Budget bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$100
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$130 · High US$250
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BTV Burlington International Airport (About 40 min drive south on US 2)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Feb
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Mar
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C) low), wettest Dec (13 rain days), driest Feb (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Grand Isle: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
12 rd
Feb
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
10 rd
Mar
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
11 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
12 rd
Dec
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is essential. US 2 runs the length of the island; the ferry terminal is at the west end. Biking is possible on quiet roads but there is no public transit.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 40 min
US 2 south, about 40 min
Church Street Marketplace, Lake Champlain waterfront, breweries.
Plattsburgh, New York
goDoor to door: 30 min including ferry
Ferry from Grand Isle, 12 min crossing, then drive
Ferry runs 24 h; Plattsburgh has restaurants and the Strand Center for the Arts.
Door to door: 30 min
US 2 south, about 30 min
Old Round Church and the Richmond Market.
Door to door: 35 min
US 2 south to VT 15, about 35 min
Hiking at Mills Riverside Park and the Jericho Country Store.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
US 2 corridor
Motels and campgrounds along the main road; By the Lake Motel is one option.
Grand Isle State Park
Camping and cabins inside the park; book ahead in summer.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$41 |
| Trip total≈ US$226 per person per day, bed included | US$451 |
2026 estimate in USD; car rental and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Ferry, car + driver, one way | $12 (check) |
| State park entry, per vehicle | $5 (check) |
| Burger and fries at Kim's Snack Stand | $8–12 |
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Motel double room, summer | $100–200 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferry runs 24 h but can have waits in summer; check the schedule for vehicle lines.
- State park entry fee applies (2026 estimate: check).
- Most restaurants and shops close by early evening; plan meals ahead.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Grand Isle County Sheriff
- 802-372-4411
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Grand IsleGrand Isle, Vermont
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
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Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Grand Isle County Sheriff802-372-4411
Embassy
The nearest US embassy is in Ottawa, Canada; consulates in Montreal. For non-US citizens, check visa requirements before crossing the border.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ferry Grand Isle → Plattsburgh: about $12 car + driver, 12 min (check)
- US 2 to Burlington: about 40 min by car
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much is the ferry? — How much is the ferry?
- Where is the state park? — Where is the state park?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Grand Isle. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Mar (many facilities closed or limited) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Grand Isle State Park (beach, camping, fees) and Hyde Log Cabin (hours, admission).
- Eat pages for Kim's Snack Stand and other seasonal food stands.
- Ferry page with live wait times and fare bands.
- Camping and cabin booking widget for the state park.
Sources
Ask about Grand Isle
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