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How to get fromDes Moines Airport (DSM) to Mackinac Islandby plane, ferry, bus, or train

Find Transport to Mackinac Island

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There are 8 ways to get from Des Moines Airport (DSM) to Mackinac Island by 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. Fly to Pellston, ferry

    best
    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Pellston (PLN)plane plane DSM - PLN
    2. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    6h 37m
    $127–558

  2. Bus, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines 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
    21h 38m
    $250–531

  3. Fly to Chippewa County International Airport, bus, ferry

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Chippewa County International Airport (CIU)plane plane DSM - CIU
    2. Take the bus from Kinross to St. Ignace Transportation Centerbus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    8h 49m
    $139–592

  4. Fly to Alpena County Regional Airport, bus, ferry

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Alpena County Regional Airport (APN)plane plane DSM - APN
    2. Take the bus from Alpena to Mackinawbus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    9h 30m
    $164–631

  5. Fly to Traverse City, bus, ferry

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Traverse City (TVC)plane plane DSM - TVC
    2. Take the bus from Traverse City, MI to Mackinaw Citybus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    10h 25m
    $130–555

  6. Fly to Delta County Airport, bus, ferry

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Delta County Airport (ESC)plane plane DSM - ESC
    2. Take the bus from Escanaba, MI to St. Ignace Transportation Centerbus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    11h 46m
    $201–709

  7. Bus, train, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus
    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
    22h 27m
    $230–541

  8. Bus, train, ferry via Galesburg

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Galesburgbus bus
    2. Take the train from Galesburg Amtrak Station 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
    22h 44m
    $265–636

Des Moines (DSM) to Pellston (PLN) flights

Calendar35Weekly Planes
Duration5h 50mAverage Duration
Ticket$89Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Des Moines Airport (DSM) to Mackinac Island.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 550.6 mi
  • Duration: 6h 37m

What companies run services between Des Moines Airport (DSM), USA and Mackinac Island, MI, USA?

There is no direct connection from Des Moines Airport (DSM) to Mackinac Island. However, you can 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 shuttle from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Mackinac Island via Ankeny, IA, Des Moines, Chicago Bus Station, Chicago Union Station, East Lansing Amtrak Station, East Lansing, MI, Mackinaw, and Mackinaw City in around 21h 38m.

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