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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 9 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
    9h 43m
    $219–807

  2. Shuttle, fly to Traverse City, bus, ferry

    cheapest
    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 Traverse City (TVC)plane plane DSM - TVC
    3. Take the bus from Traverse City, MI to Mackinaw Citybus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    12h 12m
    $208–733

  3. Bus, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Ames to St. Paulbus bus
    2. Take the bus from St. Paul to Duluthbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Duluth Transportation Center East to Ironwoodbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Ironwood to St. Ignace Transportation Centerbus bus
    5. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    21h 34m
    $210–344

  4. 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 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
    $273–555

  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
    8h 43m
    $217–778

  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 16m
    $239–841

  7. Shuttle, bus, ferry

    1. Take a shuttle bus from Ames, IA - Iowa State University to Des Moines International Airport, IAshuttle 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 51m
    $248–469

  8. Bus, train, ferry via Grand Rapids

    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 Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Stationtrain train
    4. Take the bus from Grand Rapids to Mackinaw Citybus bus
    5. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    26h
    $268–535

  9. Bus, train, ferry #2

    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
    $293–590

Des Moines (DSM) to Pellston (PLN) flights

Calendar21Weekly Planes
Duration8h 51mAverage Duration
Ticket$101Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Ames to Mackinac Island.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 592 mi
  • Duration: 9h 43m

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 line 1484 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 St. Paul, Duluth Transportation Center East, Ironwood, St. Ignace, Mackinaw, and Mackinaw City in around 21h 34m.

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