Rome2Rio

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

Find Transport to Mackinac Island

See all options

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

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 to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly to Pellston, ferry

    best
    1. Take the train from Elburn to Chicago OTCtrain train
    2. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Pellston (PLN)plane plane ORD - PLN
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    8h 1m
    $90–384

  2. Bus, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Dekalb to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Union Station to East Lansing Amtrak Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from East Lansing, MI to Mackinawbus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    14h 23m
    $167–277

  3. Train to Chicago Midway International Airport, fly to Pellston, ferry

    1. Take the train from Elburn to Chicago OTCtrain train
    2. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Pellston (PLN)plane plane MDW - PLN
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    9h 56m
    $120–514

  4. Train to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly to Chippewa County International Airport, bus, ferry

    1. Take the train from Elburn to Chicago OTCtrain train
    2. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Chippewa County International Airport (CIU)plane plane ORD - CIU
    3. Take the bus from Kinross to St. Ignace Transportation Centerbus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    9h 25m
    $104–422

  5. Train, bus, ferry

    1. Take the train from Elburn to Chicago OTCtrain train
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to East Lansing Amtrak Stationtrain train
    3. Take the bus from East Lansing, MI to Mackinawbus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    15h 17m
    $140–289

  6. Train, bus, ferry via Grand Rapids

    1. Take the train from Elburn to Chicago OTCtrain train
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Stationtrain train
    3. Take the bus from Grand Rapids to Mackinaw Citybus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    16h 11m
    $154–269

  7. Train, bus, ferry #2

    1. Take the train from Elburn to Chicago OTCtrain train
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Kalamazoo Bus Stopbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Kalamazoo Metro Transit to Mackinaw Citybus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    16h 28m
    $120–204

  8. Train, bus, ferry #3

    1. Take the train from Elburn to Chicago OTCtrain train
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Flint Amtrak Stationtrain train
    3. Take the bus from Flint Amtrak to Mackinawbus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    16h 44m
    $160–309

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

Calendar14Weekly Planes
Duration1h 26mAverage Duration
Ticket$46Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from DeKalb to Mackinac Island.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 400.1 mi
  • Duration: 8h 1m

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

There is no direct connection from DeKalb to Mackinac Island. However, you can take the line 12 bus to Railroad Ave at Elburn Metra station - WB Stop #662, walk to Elburn, take the train to Chicago OTC, walk to Clark/Lake, 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 bus to Mackinaw City, walk to Mackinaw City, then take the ferry to Mackinac Island. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Dekalb to Mackinac Island via Chicago Bus Station, Chicago Union Station, East Lansing Amtrak Station, East Lansing, MI, Mackinaw, and Mackinaw City in around 14h 23m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators
Ferry operators

Want to know more about travelling around United States

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound