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How to get fromSan Francisco 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 Francisco 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 San Francisco International Airport to Pellston, ferry

    best
    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Pellston (PLN)plane plane SFO - PLN
    2. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    10h 20m
    $187–679

  2. Fly San Francisco International Airport to Chippewa County International Airport, bus, ferry

    cheapest
    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Chippewa County International Airport (CIU)plane plane SFO - CIU
    2. Take the bus from Kinross to St. Ignace Transportation Centerbus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    11h 3m
    $185–650

  3. Train, bus, ferry

    1. Take the train from Richmond 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
    2d 18h
    $885–1,861

  4. Caltrain to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, fly to Chippewa County International Airport, bus, ferry

    1. Take the train from San Francisco Caltrain Southbound to Santa Clara Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    2. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Chippewa County International Airport (CIU)plane plane SJC - CIU
    3. Take the bus from Kinross to St. Ignace Transportation Centerbus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    12h 8m
    $207–752

  5. Fly San Francisco International Airport to Traverse City, bus, ferry

    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Traverse City (TVC)plane plane SFO - TVC
    2. Take the bus from Traverse City, MI to Mackinaw Citybus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    14h 27m
    $186–645

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Pellston (PLN) flights

Calendar39Weekly Planes
Duration8h 56mAverage Duration
Ticket$141Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from San Francisco to Mackinac Island.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 2,039.9 mi
  • Duration: 10h 20m

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

There is no direct connection from San Francisco to Mackinac Island. However, you can take the subway to San Francisco International Airport, walk to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) 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 subway from Civic Center / UN Plaza to Mackinac Island via Richmond, Richmond, Chicago Union Station, East Lansing Amtrak Station, East Lansing, MI, Mackinaw, and Mackinaw City in around 2d 18h.

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