Rome2Rio

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

Find Transport to Mackinac Island

See all options

There are 8 ways to get from Madison to Mackinac Island by bus, train, ferry, 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 Madison, WI-Lake St. to Milwaukee, WI - Amtrakbus 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
    16h 43m
    $157–325

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

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to O'Hare International Airport - Terminal 1 Departuresbus bus
    2. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Pellston (PLN)plane plane ORD - PLN
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    10h 56m
    $111–437

  3. Fly Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field to Pellston, ferry

    1. Fly from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) to Pellston (PLN)plane plane MSN - PLN
    2. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    10h 15m
    $124–559

  4. Bus, ferry via Lansing

    1. Take the bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton Stbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Union Station to East Lansing Amtrak Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from East Lansing, MI to Mackinawbus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    16h 44m
    $156–271

  5. Bus, train, ferry

    1. Take the bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton Stbus bus
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Stationtrain train
    3. Take the bus from Grand Rapids to Mackinaw Citybus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    17h 33m
    $136–281

  6. Bus, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Madison 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
    17h 54m
    $118–220

  7. Bus, train, ferry #2

    1. Take the bus from Madison, WI-Lake St. to Milwaukee, WI - Amtrakbus bus
    2. Take the train from Milwaukee to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    3. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Flint Amtrak Stationtrain train
    4. Take the bus from Flint Amtrak to Mackinawbus bus
    5. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    18h 11m
    $177–360

  8. Fly Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field to Chippewa County International Airport, bus, ferry

    1. Fly from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) to Chippewa County International Airport (CIU)plane plane MSN - 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 50m
    $137–590

Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) to Pellston (PLN) flights

Calendar21Weekly Planes
Duration8h 36mAverage Duration
Ticket$86Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Madison to Mackinac Island.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 628.1 mi
  • Duration: 16h 43m

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

There is no direct connection from Madison to Mackinac Island. However, you can take the bus to Milwaukee, WI - Amtrak, 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 take the bus to Airport at Terminal Door 6, walk to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) 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.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators
Ferry operators

Want to know more about travelling around United States

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound