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How to get fromNew Orleans to Mackinac Islandby plane, ferry, train, or bus

Find Transport to Mackinac Island

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There are 6 ways to get from New Orleans to Mackinac Island by plane, ferry, train, or bus

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 to Pellston, ferry

    best
    1. Fly from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) to Pellston (PLN)plane plane MSY - PLN
    2. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    8h 43m
    $169–669

  2. Train, bus, ferry

    1. Take the train from New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to East Lansing Amtrak Stationtrain train
    3. Take the bus from East Lansing, MI to Mackinawbus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    32h 9m
    $431–869

  3. Bus, ferry

    1. Take the bus from New Orleans Bus Station to Montgomery Intermodal Centerbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Montgomery Intermodal Center to Detroit Bus Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Detroit Greyhound to Mackinawbus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    37h 9m
    $257–484

  4. Fly to Chippewa County International Airport, bus, ferry

    1. Fly from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) to Chippewa County International Airport (CIU)plane plane MSY - CIU
    2. Take the bus from Kinross to St. Ignace Transportation Centerbus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    10h 51m
    $177–740

  5. Fly to Alpena County Regional Airport, bus, ferry

    1. Fly from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) to Alpena County Regional Airport (APN)plane plane MSY - APN
    2. Take the bus from Alpena to Mackinawbus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    10h 22m
    $194–703

  6. Train, bus, ferry via Grand Rapids

    1. Take the train from New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    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
    33h 3m
    $421–849

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) to Pellston (PLN) flights

Calendar34Weekly Planes
Duration6h 34mAverage Duration
Ticket$131Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from New Orleans to Mackinac Island.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,156 mi
  • Duration: 8h 43m

What companies run services between New Orleans, LA, USA and Mackinac Island, MI, USA?

There is no direct connection from New Orleans to Mackinac Island. However, you can take the bus to Kenner Terminal Parking Garage, walk to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) 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 train from New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal to Mackinac Island via Chicago Union Station, East Lansing Amtrak Station, East Lansing, MI, Mackinaw, and Mackinaw City in around 32h 9m.

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