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How to get fromMackinac Island to Chicagoby ferry, bus, train, or plane

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There are 8 ways to get from Mackinac Island to Chicago by ferry, bus, train, 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. Ferry, bus, train

    best
    1. Take the ferry from Mackinac Island to Mackinaw Cityferry ferry
    2. Take the bus from Mackinaw City to East Lansingbus bus
    3. Take the train from East Lansing Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    12h 6m
    $120–243

  2. Ferry to Pellston, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport

    cheapest
    1. Take the ferry from Mackinac Island to Mackinaw Cityferry ferry
    2. Fly from Pellston (PLN) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane plane PLN - ORD
    7h 21m
    $83–359

  3. Ferry to Pellston, fly to Chicago Midway International Airport

    1. Take the ferry from Mackinac Island to Mackinaw Cityferry ferry
    2. Fly from Pellston (PLN) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)plane plane PLN - MDW
    10h 28m
    $93–409

  4. Ferry, bus via Lansing

    1. Take the ferry from Mackinac Island to Mackinaw Cityferry ferry
    2. Take the bus from Mackinaw City to East Lansingbus bus
    3. Take the bus from East Lansing Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationbus bus
    12h 6m
    $130–213

  5. Ferry, bus, train via Grand Rapids

    1. Take the ferry from Mackinac Island to Mackinaw Cityferry ferry
    2. Take the bus from Mackinaw City to Grand Rapidsbus bus
    3. Take the train from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    13h 43m
    $110–223

  6. Ferry, bus

    1. Take the ferry from Mackinac Island to Mackinaw Cityferry ferry
    2. Take the bus from Mackinaw City to Kalamazoo Metro Transitbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Kalamazoo Bus Stop to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus
    13h 50m
    $92–168

  7. Ferry, bus to Chippewa County International Airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport

    1. Take the ferry from Mackinac Island to Mackinaw Cityferry ferry
    2. Take the bus from St. Ignace Transportation Center to Kinrossbus bus
    3. Fly from Chippewa County International Airport (CIU) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane plane CIU - ORD
    10h 7m
    $97–391

  8. Ferry, bus to Traverse City, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport

    1. Take the ferry from Mackinac Island to Mackinaw Cityferry ferry
    2. Take the bus from Mackinaw City to Traverse City, MIbus bus
    3. Fly from Traverse City (TVC) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane plane TVC - ORD
    9h 44m
    $83–336

Pellston (PLN) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) flights

Calendar11Weekly Planes
Duration7h 43mAverage Duration
Ticket$57Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Mackinac Island to Chicago.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 464.5 mi
  • Duration: 12h 6m

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

There is no direct connection from Mackinac Island to Chicago. However, you can take the ferry to Mackinaw City, walk to Mackinaw City, take the bus to East Lansing, walk to East Lansing Amtrak Station, then take the train to Chicago Union Station. Alternatively, you can take the ferry to Mackinaw City, walk to Mackinaw, take the line 1488 bus to Pellston, MI, take the taxi to Pellston (PLN) airport, fly to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), walk to Midway, then take the subway to Harold Washington Library.

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