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How to get fromMackinac Island to Thunder Bayby ferry, bus, or plane

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There are 3 ways to get from Mackinac Island to Thunder Bay by ferry, bus, 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 to Sault Ste. Marie Airport, fly

    best
    1. Take the ferry from Mackinac Island to Mackinaw Cityferry ferry
    2. Take the bus from St. Ignace Transportation Center to Sault Ste. Marie, MIbus bus
    3. Fly from Sault Ste. Marie Airport (YAM) to Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT)plane plane YAM - YQT
    6h 6m
    $436–1,063

  2. Ferry, bus

    cheapest
    1. Take the ferry from Mackinac Island to Mackinaw Cityferry ferry
    2. Take the bus from St. Ignace Transportation Center to Sault Ste. Marie, MIbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Sault Ste Marie to Thunder Baybus bus
    14h 14m
    $99–251

  3. Ferry to Pellston, fly

    1. Take the ferry from Mackinac Island to Mackinaw Cityferry ferry
    2. Fly from Pellston (PLN) to Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT)plane plane PLN - YQT
    11h 55m
    $201–789

Sault Ste. Marie Airport (YAM) to Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT) flights

Calendar12Weekly Planes
Duration1h 16mAverage Duration
Ticket$877Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Mackinac Island to Thunder Bay.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 544.7 km
  • Duration: 6h 6m

What companies run services between Mackinac Island, MI, USA and Thunder Bay, ON, Canada?

There is no direct connection from Mackinac Island to Thunder Bay. However, you can take the ferry to Mackinaw City, walk to Mackinaw, take the line 1485 bus to St. Ignace, take the bus to Sault Ste. Marie, MI, drive to Sault Ste. Marie Airport (YAM) airport, then fly to Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT). Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Mackinac Island to Thunder Bay via Mackinaw City, Mackinaw, St. Ignace Transportation Center, Sault Ste. Marie, MI, and Sault Ste Marie in around 14h 14m.

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