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How to get fromAmes to Mackinac Islandby shuttle, plane, ferry, bus, or train

Find Transport to Mackinac Island

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There are 7 ways to get from Ames to Mackinac Island by shuttle, plane, ferry, bus, or train

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Shuttle, fly to Pellston, ferry

    best
    1. Take a shuttle bus from Ames, IA - Iowa State University to Des Moines International Airport, IAshuttle bus
    2. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Pellston (PLN)plane plane DSM - PLN
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    8h 22m
    $219–863

  2. Bus, ferry via Des Moines

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Ames to Des Moinesbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Kalamazoo Bus Stopbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Kalamazoo Metro Transit to Mackinaw Citybus bus
    5. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    22h 34m
    $210–332

  3. Bus, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Ames to Des Moinesbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicagobus bus
    3. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Kalamazoo Bus Stopbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Kalamazoo Metro Transit to Mackinaw Citybus bus
    5. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    21h 39m
    $214–332

  4. Bus, train, ferry via Lansing

    1. Take the bus from Ames to St. Paulbus bus
    2. Take the train from St. Paul-Minneapolis to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    3. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to East Lansing Amtrak Stationtrain train
    4. Take the bus from East Lansing, MI to Mackinawbus bus
    5. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    25h 6m
    $318–620

  5. Shuttle, fly to Chippewa County International Airport, bus, ferry

    1. Take a shuttle bus from Ames, IA - Iowa State University to Des Moines International Airport, IAshuttle bus
    2. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Chippewa County International Airport (CIU)plane plane DSM - CIU
    3. Take the bus from Kinross to St. Ignace Transportation Centerbus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    10h 34m
    $237–891

  6. Shuttle, fly to Alpena County Regional Airport, bus, ferry

    1. Take a shuttle bus from Ames, IA - Iowa State University to Des Moines International Airport, IAshuttle bus
    2. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Alpena County Regional Airport (APN)plane plane DSM - APN
    3. Take the bus from Alpena to Mackinawbus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    11h 15m
    $264–901

  7. Bus, train, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Ames to St. Paulbus bus
    2. Take the train from St. Paul-Minneapolis to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    3. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Flint Amtrak Stationtrain train
    4. Take the bus from Flint Amtrak to Mackinawbus bus
    5. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    26h 34m
    $338–640

Des Moines (DSM) to Pellston (PLN) flights

Calendar35Weekly Planes
Duration5h 50mAverage Duration
Ticket$106Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Ames to Mackinac Island.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 592 mi
  • Duration: 8h 22m

What companies run services between Ames, IA, USA and Mackinac Island, MI, USA?

There is no direct connection from Ames to Mackinac Island. However, you can take the shuttle to Des Moines International Airport, IA, walk to Des Moines (DSM) airport, fly to Pellston (PLN), take the taxi to Pellston, take the bus to Mackinaw City, walk to Mackinaw City, then take the ferry to Mackinac Island. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Ames to Mackinac Island via Des Moines, Chicago Bus Station, Kalamazoo Metro Transit, Mackinaw City, and Mackinaw City in around 21h 39m.

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