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

Find Transport to Mackinac Island

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There are 6 ways to get from Iowa 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 Des Moines 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. Fly Quad City International Airport to Pellston, ferry

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Quad City International Airport (MLI) to Pellston (PLN)plane plane MLI - PLN
    2. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    9h 28m
    $94–399

  3. Bus, ferry

    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 55m
    $152–280

  4. Fly Des Moines 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 1m
    $173–709

  5. Bus to The Eastern Iowa Airport, fly to Pellston, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Court St Transportation Center to GTC Bay 9bus bus
    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
    10h 4m

  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 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
    21h 10m
    $219–440

Des Moines (DSM) to Pellston (PLN) flights

Calendar35Weekly Planes
Duration5h 50mAverage Duration
Ticket$106Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Iowa to Mackinac Island.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 557.3 mi
  • Duration: 6h 49m

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

There is no direct connection from Iowa 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 vehicle from Des Moines to Mackinac Island via Des Moines, Chicago Bus Station, Kalamazoo Metro Transit, Mackinaw City, and Mackinaw City in around 20h 55m.

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