Major city · United States
Madeline Island
Go for a day trip or one night if you want Lake Superior beaches, quiet hiking and a car-free ferry ride. Skip if you need nightlife or multiple days of sightseeing.
Madeline Island is the only Apostle Island with commercial development — a small town (La Pointe), a state park and a handful of cafés and galleries. Most visitors come from Bayfield on the 20-minute ferry for a half-day or a single overnight. The island is rural: bring a car or a bike, and plan around the ferry schedule.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Apr (ferry may be suspended; ice road unpredictable)
- Airport
- MAD
- Nights
- 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 Madeline Island911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
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 Madeline Island, 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.
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
- 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.
- AirportcheckMAD Madeline Island Airport (check).
- Getting aroundCar or bike.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- Sit-down mealDinner entrée$18–30
- Street or quick mealLunch sandwich$10–15
- BeerBeer (pint)$5–7
- Budget bedCampground site (tent), a night, per personUS$15
- Mid-range bedCabin or B&B double room, a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedCabin or B&B double room, a night, per roomUS$250
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$50 · Mid US$100 · High US$200
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
- MAD Madeline Island Airport (check)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Feb
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Mar
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Apr
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
May
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Madeline Island: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
8 rd
Feb
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
6 rd
Mar
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
7 rd
Apr
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
8 rd
Dec
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
8 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 or bike. The ferry carries both. Roads are paved on the main routes; gravel on side roads. No public transport on the island.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Bayfield, Wisconsin
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Ferry from La Pointe, 20 min
Base town with restaurants, shops and the Apostle Islands cruise dock.
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Boat tour from Bayfield or kayak from the island
Sea caves, lighthouses and kayaking; book tours in advance.
Washburn, Wisconsin
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Ferry to Bayfield, then drive 10 min south
Small town with a brewery and a beach.
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.
La Pointe
Near the ferry dock; most inns, B&Bs and rental cottages.
Big Bay State Park area
Campground and a few cabins; quieter, 5–10 min drive from the ferry.
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
- $50–80 excl. bed
- Mid
- $80–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Cabin or B&B double room1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| Ferry round trip (car + driver)1 × US$45 · check | US$45 |
| Ferry round trip (foot passenger)2 × US$15 · check | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$43 |
| Trip total≈ US$234 per person per day, bed included | US$468 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Lunch sandwich | $10–15 |
| Dinner entrée | $18–30 |
| Beer (pint) | $5–7 |
| Ferry round trip (car + driver) | $45 (check) |
| Ferry round trip (foot passenger) | $15 (check) |
| State park day use | $8 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferry schedule changes with weather and season: check madferry.com before you go.
- No gas station on the island: fill up in Bayfield.
- Cell service is spotty; download maps offline.
- Ice road is not guaranteed: it depends on ice thickness and is closed when unsafe.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Madeline IslandMadeline Island
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ferry La Pointe → Bayfield: about $15 foot / $45 car round trip, 20 min (check)
No embassy on the island; nearest US consulate services in Minneapolis.
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 Madeline Island. 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: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Apr (ferry may be suspended; ice road unpredictable) · 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
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Madeline Island
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