Compare the full rental bill
The daily rate is only the start. Obtain the full rental quote for the time between airport pickup and return, including taxes and mandatory fees. Add fuel, any parking charges and optional extras you actually intend to purchase. Check whether the vehicle has enough space for your group and gear.
Count arrival and departure days as well as paddling days. A seven day canoe itinerary may require a longer rental period once overnight stays and flight times are included. Confirm the rental company’s billing periods rather than assuming calendar days match charged days.
Understand how the transfer is priced
Private airport transfers may be quoted for the vehicle or for the group. Shared services are commonly priced per passenger. Ask for the complete price in both directions and confirm whether waiting time, extra stops or bulky equipment add charges.
Boundary Waters Express is testing a $119 round trip Ely fare per person for a proposed May through September 2027 service. This is indicative pricing, not an available ticket. Current private transfer prices must be obtained directly from operating providers.
An illustrative group comparison
The following example uses a hypothetical $600 total rental cost and our proposed $119 round trip shuttle fare. The rental figure is a calculation example, not a current market quote. Shuttle launch, final fares and availability remain unconfirmed.
| Travelers | Example rental total | Proposed shuttle total | Lower cost in this example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $600 | $119 | Shuttle by $481 |
| 2 | $600 | $238 | Shuttle by $362 |
| 4 | $600 | $476 | Shuttle by $124 |
| 6 | $600 | $714 | Rental by $114 |
Find your own break even point
Multiply the round trip shuttle fare by the number of passengers. Compare that figure with your complete rental and driving cost. Using the example above, $600 divided by $119 is about 5.04: five travelers would total $595 on the proposed shuttle, while six would total $714.
This only works if the quoted rental vehicle can carry everyone and their luggage. A larger vehicle, extra driver fee or second car changes the calculation. On the shuttle side, add any local transfers you need after reaching the Ely stop.
Keep discounts out of the initial comparison unless they are confirmed and apply to your booking. A simple comparison using the full quoted totals is easier to audit and less likely to overstate savings.
Put a value on flexibility
A car offers freedom to visit attractions, shop and change dinner plans. That matters if you have several days on land or accommodation outside town. You may decide that convenience is worth more than the difference in transport cost.
A transfer avoids the airport rental process and the need to drive after a long journey. It can also simplify a trip where you arrive at an outfitter, spend most of the week paddling and leave soon after returning.
Neither choice automatically covers your wilderness entry point. Confirm outfitter drop off and pickup arrangements separately, particularly when your trip ends somewhere different from where it starts.
Compare the cancellation and delay terms
Ask what happens if a flight arrives late, the group size changes or your canoe trip ends early. Read rental cancellation terms and transfer waiting policies before paying. A low headline price is less useful if it cannot accommodate your actual itinerary.
For your flight home, allow enough time for the wilderness exit, equipment return, road journey and airline check in. A fixed shuttle departure would require a reliable connection from your outfitter; a rental gives more control over the driving departure but cannot remove weather delays on the water.
Share your dates while we test demand
If a shared airport connection would suit your trip, send a Boundary Waters Express ride request with passenger count, dates and any tentative flights. No card details or deposit are required.
We will use requests to assess departures for May through September 2027. Submitting the form does not reserve inventory or confirm transport. Final fares, luggage rules and available journeys will be provided if bookings open, so you can compare them with your other options before deciding.
Sources and planning links
Verify current availability, schedules and permit requirements before booking.
Published by Boundary Waters Express, which is developing the proposed shuttle described here. External links do not imply endorsement or partnership.