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How to get fromSan Diego to Mackinac Islandby plane, ferry, train, or bus

Find Transport to Mackinac Island

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There are 5 ways to get from San Diego 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 San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Pellston (PLN)plane plane SAN - PLN
    2. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    9h 59m
    $189–668

  2. Train, bus, ferry

    1. Take the train from San Diego to Fullerton Amtrak Stationtrain train
    2. Take the train from Fullerton Amtrak Station 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
    2d 10h
    $863–1,822

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

    1. Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Chippewa County International Airport (CIU)plane plane SAN - CIU
    2. Take the bus from Kinross to St. Ignace Transportation Centerbus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    13h 36m
    $194–680

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

    1. Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Alpena County Regional Airport (APN)plane plane SAN - APN
    2. Take the bus from Alpena to Mackinawbus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    11h 38m
    $223–728

  5. Fly to Sault Ste. Marie Airport, bus, ferry

    1. Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Sault Ste. Marie Airport (YAM)plane plane SAN - YAM
    2. Take the bus from Sault Ste. Marie, MI to St. Ignace Transportation Centerbus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    13h 21m
    $231–812

San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Pellston (PLN) flights

Calendar33Weekly Planes
Duration9h 48mAverage Duration
Ticket$151Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from San Diego to Mackinac Island.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,958.8 mi
  • Duration: 9h 59m

What companies run services between San Diego, CA, USA and Mackinac Island, MI, USA?

There is no direct connection from San Diego to Mackinac Island. However, you can 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 San Diego to Mackinac Island via Fullerton Amtrak Station, Chicago Union Station, East Lansing Amtrak Station, East Lansing, MI, Mackinaw, and Mackinaw City in around 2d 10h.

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