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How to get fromDubuque to Mackinac Islandby bus, train, ferry, car, or plane

Find Transport to Mackinac Island

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There are 9 ways to get from Dubuque to Mackinac Island by bus, train, ferry, car, 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. Bus, train, ferry via Milwaukee

    best
    1. Take the bus from Dubuque to Milwaukeebus bus
    2. Take the train from Milwaukee 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
    19h 33m
    $170–323

  2. Drive to Quad City International Airport, fly, ferry

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Dubuque to Moline-Airport-MLIcar car
    2. Fly from Quad City International Airport (MLI) to Pellston (PLN)plane plane MLI - PLN
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    11h 17m
    $116–468

  3. Drive to The Eastern Iowa Airport, fly, ferry

    1. Drive from Dubuque to Cedar-Rapids-Airport-CIDcar car
    2. Fly from The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) to Pellston (PLN)plane plane CID - PLN
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    18h 47m
    $142–548

  4. Bus, ferry via Lansing

    1. Take the bus from Dubuque to Madisonbus bus
    2. Take the bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton Stbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Chicago Union Station to East Lansing Amtrak Stationbus bus
    4. Take the bus from East Lansing, MI to Mackinawbus bus
    5. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    19h 50m
    $163–280

  5. Bus, train, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Dubuque to Madisonbus bus
    2. Take the bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton Stbus bus
    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
    20h 59m
    $154–310

  6. Bus, train, ferry via Madison

    1. Take the bus from Dubuque to Madisonbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Madison, WI-Lake St. to Milwaukee, WI - Amtrakbus bus
    3. Take the train from Milwaukee to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    4. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Flint Amtrak Stationtrain train
    5. Take the bus from Flint Amtrak to Mackinawbus bus
    6. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    21h 41m
    $191–385

  7. Bus, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Dubuque to Madisonbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Madison 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
    21h 44m
    $141–235

  8. Bus to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field, fly, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Dubuque to Madisonbus bus
    2. Fly from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) to Pellston (PLN)plane plane MSN - PLN
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    13h 13m
    $156–644

  9. Bus, bus to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Dubuque to Madisonbus bus
    2. Take the bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to O'Hare International Airport - Terminal 1 Departuresbus bus
    3. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Pellston (PLN)plane plane ORD - PLN
    4. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    13h 49m
    $132–452

The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) to Pellston (PLN) flights

Calendar7Weekly Planes
Duration15h 12mAverage Duration
Ticket$90Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Dubuque to Mackinac Island.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 729.5 mi
  • Duration: 19h 33m

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

There is no direct connection from Dubuque to Mackinac Island. However, you can take the bus to Milwaukee, walk to Milwaukee, take the train to Chicago Union Station, 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 drive to Cedar-Rapids-Airport-CID 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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