A Golf Cart Rental Is Essential To The Put-in-Bay Experience!
A habit born out of something as simple as the lack of parking has transformed over the years into one of the defining characteristics of Put-in-Bay tourism. Talk about a novelty that mainland vacation destinations don’t have to offer! When you visit Put-in-Bay, imagine sharing the road with the cars and Put-in-Bay taxis, all while feeling the wind blowing through your hair in your golf cart. I personally don’t have to imagine it. It’s one of my fondest childhood memories from trips to Put-in-Bay, and even still now as an adult, there is a joy in it that can’t easily be replicated. I LOVE driving the golf carts around Put-in-Bay! It’s part of the whole Lake Erie Islands vacation experience.
Other Transportation Options Aren’t As Convenient
But don’t think the only purpose that Put-in-Bay golf cart rentals serve is a novelty. Far from it! They are by far the most convenient way to get around the island. While Put-in-Bay is not a large place geographically, it is too large to do the entire island on foot. You could bring your car over, sure, but it’s not cheap to do so, and then you run into the whole parking problem again. Taxis? Again, our Put-in-Bay taxi services are amazing, but they’re really just best for trips to and from downtown. If you plan to sightsee, to genuinely hit as much of the island as you can, you’ll just be spending too much time waiting on cabs to get you from place to place.
An Investment In A Great Vacation
The solution then is, of course, renting a golf cart! It’s easy to operate, fun to drive, and is always available on your time. If you are staying overnight on the island there’s a good chance you can rent golf carts through your Put-in-Bay lodging provider. And don’t worry, there are plenty of downtown Put-in-Bay golf cart rentals available for day trippers from Cleveland to Pittsburgh to Chicago. Our only advice, if you’re coming to the island on a summer weekend, CALL AHEAD. As a general statement during the busy season, the island runs out of carts for the weekend sometime on Saturday morning. You can see most attractions, including Perry Family Fun Center, just overflowing with happy carters.
Renting Golf Carts on Put-in-Bay
So you’re probably wondering how to get your own Put-in-Bay golf carts. We have a couple of recommendations for you. If you’re staying at the Island Club Home Rentals or Put-in-Bay Condos, you have access to the newest golf carts on the island courtesy of Island Club Golf Cart Rentals. These 4- and 6-person Club Car golf carts are exclusively available to Island Club rentals and Put-in-Bay Condo guests. They have the best rates on the island for the newest carts. Moreover, they are a preferred Put-In-Bay Lodging Golf Cart provider. Guests can opt for an overnight rental, so fun transportation will be at their fingertips.
You can contact Island Club Golf Cart Rentals by phone at 419-767-CART (2278) from 9 am-6 pm daily. You can also visit their website to book if you prefer. On-island their address is 1490 Put-in-Bay Rd, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456. Once you secure your golf cart, head to the Put-in-Bay Visitor Center and ask for a Put-in-Bay Map. A Put-in-Bay map can be quite helpful when getting around the island and serves as a great souvenir to take home with you and reminisce all the fun places you visited!
More Put-in-Bay Ohio Golf Cart Options
If you do NOT have a reservation with the Island Club or Put-in-Bay Condos, then the Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Depot is the preferred golf cart rental agency on the island. The Golf Cart Depot and Bike Rental provides golf cars and bicycles to island visitors all summer long from their Catawba Ave location. They are located right by downtown Put-in-Bay next to the Put-in-Bay Brewery and Distillery and across from the new Fire Truck Bar. The Golf Cart Depot is close to the Jet Express Put-In-Bay Ferry and a short taxi ride from the Miller Ferry. Book Now to reserve your cart!
Choose from 2-person, 4-person, 6-passenger, and 8-man golf carts for rent. Customers can opt for hourly, daily, overnight, or weekly. The two-person cart is an electric cart, the four and six-person carts are gas-powered, and a high-quality Club Cart. If necessary, fill up the cart at Put-in-Bay Gas Station, but they rarely run out of gas. See South Bass Island the way it was intended!
Reservations and information can be easily obtained by calling their friendly customer service number at 419-779-5147. Easily accessible from all downtown attractions, the Golf Cart Depot makes is easy as can be to get you on the road as soon as you get off the Put-in-Bay Jet Express ferry. From the Ferry Dock, the Depot is a short walk just past Delaware Ave, next to the Reel Bar on Langram Rd.
Why Rent a Cart?
You won’t want to be left out when you see everyone driving around in their carts. It’s the most popular type of transportation on the island that allows one to see all the Put-in-Bay restaurants, bars, and Put-in-Bay attractions! Make sure to book in advance. Also, guests can check out one of the best Put-In-Bay Hotels, the Victory Station, here at this location.
All golf cart rentals from the Golf Cart Depot are licensed motor vehicles and street legal. Carts can be rented by people 18 years of age and over with a valid driver’s license who follow proper traffic laws. They include proper safety equipment including headlights, taillights, turn signals, roofs, and seatbelts. Be sure to check out their competitive rental rates.
Find more info on their Golf Carts website! On-island, stop by their location to pick up a cart at 489 Catawba Ave, Put-in-Bay, Ohio 43456.
Testimonials
Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Depot: “They are right downtown by the Reel Bar. The carts are newer, the prices better, and the people are very nice. I like the Yamaha carts better for my day rental. -Shaun S.”
Island Club Golf Cart Rentals: “I have rented carts from numerous places on the island. I will say this is by far the nicest and cleanest cart I have ever rented!! Reserving the cart was a breeze. Called the phone number and it was delivered right to our Island Club rental house. -ZM”
Put-in-Bay Condos Golf Cart Rental: “Our family spent last Friday cruising the island on a Condos golf cart. It’s by far the best way to see everything easily and at your own pace. Quick, affordable, and issue-free! We’ll definitely rent from them again next time we stay at the Put-in-Bay Condos. -Greg V.”
Top 3 Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Questions
Yes! In fact, golf carts are the main mode of transportation on the island! Each cart can go up to 15 MPH and will never be stopped for speeding. All carts are licensed and have full safety equipment such as seat belts and bumpers.
Yes! You must obey all normal traffic laws when driving a golf cart on Put-in-Bay. This includes seat belts, blinkers, and drinking (or rather not drinking) while driving.
Oh yes! This is one of the more common tickets at Put-in-Bay. Most people don't realize that golf carts are on the roads in the same capacity as regular vehicles.
Put-in-Bay has a few costs associated with it. Ferry tickets, lodging, and transportation should be accounted for in your budget.
No. all golf carts on Put-in-bay are considered licensed motor vehicles and must be registered and safety-inspected by the Put-in-Bay Police Department
Put-in-Bay is fairly expensive. When taking a trip to the island you have to factor ferry tickets, lodging, and island transportation into your budget.
You can bring alcohol to Put-in-Bay. All lodging allows you to anything any other hotel/rental would be considered allowable.
No, you can be any age to come to Put-in-Bay. There are plenty of family-friendly activities to do on South bass Island. You do however have to be 21 to drink alcohol.
Pittsburgh is a 3 hr and 29 min, 203 Mile drive
Yes, you can! Catawba Island Pointe is the location of the Miller Ferry, which is used to get to Put-in-Bay.
Yes, you can! Just make sure to check with your lodging provider first to see what their policy on pets is first.
More Golf Cart Rentals
E’s Golf Cart Rental
E’s is found on Langram rd and is actually owned by the same family as the Miller Ferry! Located just at the top of the hill and to the right, E’s has 2, 4, and 6 person golf carts available for hourly or daily rental. They do not offer overnight golf cart rentals and all carts must be returned at least 30 minutes before the last ferry leaves.
Island Bike & Cart Rental
Commonly abbreviated to IBR, they’re very recognizable for their green golf carts with the yellow IBR logo and the corresponding number on the front. They offer overnight rentals for all gas-powered 2, 4, and 6 passenger golf carts, as well as hourly and daily rates on their gas-powered and electric golf carts. Feel free to ask the staff for an island guide or map, free for all renters.
A&B Cart Rental
Owned by amazing local musician Bob Gatewood, A&B Cart Rental has located right on the edge of downtown just a 2-minute walk from the Jet Express dock. They have offer 4 passenger EZ-GO golf carts at overnight and daily rates as well as 2-hour rates for walk-up customers only, however, due to high demand we recommend going online and reserving ahead of time.
Village Carts
Village Carts is located downtown on Toledo Ave. They have 2, 4, and 6 passenger carts available for daily rent and also offer a special “GEM” cart which sports a white and yellow colorway and sunroof if you want to stand out! You can find them right across the street from the Carriage House by the Tour Train downtown and they do not offer overnight rentals.
Erie Island Carts
Erie Island Carts offer 2, 4, 6, and 8 seater golf carts. They do not do overnight carts. Located about a 5-7 minute walk from the ferry, you can go to the top of the hill and take a right on Langram Rd, head past E’s Golf Carts and the next place you’ll find is Erie Island. Midweek and weekend rates are separate and may vary based on the time of the season or holidays.
Delaware Carts
Located in downtown Put In Bay next to Mr. Ed’s and PIB Golf Cart Center, they have carts as well as offering bicycles and mopeds. They feature EZ-GO and Yamaha golf carts. Weekday and weekend rates will vary. You can go online to reserve a golf cart ahead of time so you don’t risk missing out on a cart if they sell out.
Resort & Hotel Golf Cart Rentals
The following resorts and hotels have golf cart rentals available exclusively for guests:
– Bay Shore Resort
– Bay Lodging Resort
– Edgewater Hotel
– Islander Inn
– Put-In-Bay Resort & Conference Center
FUN FACT: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church was built in 1865 on land purchased by Jay Cooke from Jose DeRivera for $10.00.
