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How to get fromChicago to Mackinac Islandby train, bus, ferry, or plane

Find Transport to Mackinac Island

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There are 8 ways to get from Chicago to Mackinac Island by train, bus, ferry, or plane

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

  1. Train, bus, ferry

    best
    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to East Lansing Amtrak Stationtrain train
    2. Take the bus from East Lansing, MI to Mackinawbus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    11h 39m
    $120–236

  2. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Traverse City, bus, ferry

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Traverse City (TVC)plane plane ORD - TVC
    2. Take the bus from Traverse City, MI to Mackinaw Citybus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    9h 35m
    $84–358

  3. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Pellston, ferry

    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Pellston (PLN)plane plane ORD - PLN
    2. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    8h 42m
    $90–392

  4. Bus, ferry via Lansing

    1. Take the bus from Chicago Union Station to East Lansing Amtrak Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from East Lansing, MI to Mackinawbus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    11h 44m
    $131–212

  5. Train, bus, ferry via Grand Rapids

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Stationtrain train
    2. Take the bus from Grand Rapids to Mackinaw Citybus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    12h 33m
    $112–218

  6. Bus, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Kalamazoo Bus Stopbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Kalamazoo Metro Transit to Mackinaw Citybus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    12h 44m
    $93–168

  7. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Pellston, ferry

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Pellston (PLN)plane plane MDW - PLN
    2. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    6h 57m
    $110–502

  8. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Chippewa County International Airport, bus, ferry

    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Chippewa County International Airport (CIU)plane plane ORD - CIU
    2. Take the bus from Kinross to St. Ignace Transportation Centerbus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    9h 36m
    $102–423

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Pellston (PLN) flights

Calendar14Weekly Planes
Duration5h 17mAverage Duration
Ticket$53Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Chicago to Mackinac Island.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 464.2 mi
  • Duration: 11h 39m

What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Mackinac Island, MI, USA?

There is no direct connection from Chicago to Mackinac Island. However, you can take the train to East Lansing Amtrak Station, walk to East Lansing, MI, take the bus to Mackinaw, walk to Mackinaw City, then take the ferry to Mackinac Island. Alternatively, you can take the subway to O'Hare, walk to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) 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.

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