Rome2Rio

How to get fromDes Moines to Mackinac Islandby plane, ferry, bus, or train

Find Transport to Mackinac Island

See all options

There are 6 ways to get from Des Moines 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 49m
    $155–688

  2. Bus, ferry via Des Moines

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus
    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
    20h 49m
    $146–270

  3. Bus, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicagobus bus
    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
    19h 54m

  4. 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
    9h 2m
    $173–709

  5. 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 43m
    $200–722

  6. Bus, train, ferry

    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 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
    22h 32m

Des Moines (DSM) to Pellston (PLN) flights

Calendar35Weekly Planes
Duration5h 50mAverage Duration
Ticket$106Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Des Moines to Mackinac Island.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 557.4 mi
  • Duration: 6h 49m

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

There is no direct connection from Des Moines to Mackinac Island. However, you can take the taxi to Des-Moines-Airport-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 Des Moines to Mackinac Island via Chicago Bus Station, Kalamazoo Metro Transit, Mackinaw City, and Mackinaw City in around 19h 54m.

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