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

Find Transport to Mackinac Island

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There are 5 ways to get from San Luis Obispo to Mackinac Island by plane, ferry, bus, or train

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 Luis Obispo County Regional Airport to Pellston, ferry

    best
    1. Fly from San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) to Pellston (PLN)plane plane SBP - PLN
    2. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    12h 36m
    $158–568

  2. Bus, train, ferry

    1. Take the bus from San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum to Los Angeles Union Stationbus bus
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    3. Take the bus from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Stationbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Grand Rapids to Mackinaw Citybus bus
    5. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    2d 14h
    $855–1,754

  3. Bus to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, fly to Pellston, ferry

    1. Take the bus from San Luis Obispo to Uc Santa Barbara Amtrak Bus Stopbus bus
    2. Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Pellston (PLN)plane plane SBA - PLN
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    15h
    $193–598

  4. Fly San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport to Traverse City, bus, ferry

    1. Fly from San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) to Traverse City (TVC)plane plane SBP - 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 20m
    $166–564

  5. Train, bus, ferry

    1. Take the train from San Luis Obispo to Los Angelestrain train
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles 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 14h
    $901–1,901

San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) to Pellston (PLN) flights

Calendar29Weekly Planes
Duration10h 53mAverage Duration
Ticket$127Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from San Luis Obispo to Mackinac Island.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 2,029.2 mi
  • Duration: 12h 36m

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

There is no direct connection from San Luis Obispo to Mackinac Island. However, you can take the bus to San Luis Airport, walk to San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) 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 bus from San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum to Mackinac Island via Los Angeles Union Station, Los Angeles, Chicago Union Station, Chicago Union Station, Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station, Grand Rapids, Mackinaw City, and Mackinaw City in around 2d 14h.

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