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

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There are 7 ways to get from Mackinac Island to Chicago by ferry, bus, plane, 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. Ferry, line 1488 bus to Pellston, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport

    best
    1. Take the ferry from Mackinac Island to Mackinaw Cityferry ferry
    2. Take the bus from Mackinaw to Pellston, MIbus bus
    3. Fly from Pellston (PLN) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane plane PLN - ORD
    5h 19m
    $73–309

  2. Ferry, bus, train

    1. Take the ferry from Mackinac Island to Mackinaw Cityferry ferry
    2. Take the bus from Mackinaw to East Lansing, MIbus bus
    3. Take the train from East Lansing Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    12h 11m
    $130–253

  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 17m
    $93–389

  4. 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
    6h 42m
    $87–341

  5. Ferry, bus via Lansing

    1. Take the ferry from Mackinac Island to Mackinaw Cityferry ferry
    2. Take the bus from Mackinaw to East Lansing, MIbus bus
    3. Take the bus from East Lansing Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationbus bus
    12h 11m
    $140–223

  6. 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
    $120–233

  7. 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
    $94–168

Pellston (PLN) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) flights

Calendar15Weekly Planes
Duration2h 28mAverage Duration
Ticket$38Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Mackinac Island to Chicago.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 337.5 mi
  • Duration: 5h 19m

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, take the line 1488 bus to Pellston, MI, take the taxi to Pellston (PLN) airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), walk to O'Hare, then take the subway to Jackson-Blue. Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Mackinac Island to Chicago Union Station via Mackinaw City, Mackinaw, East Lansing, MI, and East Lansing Amtrak Station in around 12h 11m.

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