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How to get fromSanta Barbara to Mackinac Islandby plane, ferry, train, or bus

Find Transport to Mackinac Island

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There are 5 ways to get from Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to Pellston, ferry

    best
    1. Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Pellston (PLN)plane plane SBA - PLN
    2. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    11h 44m
    $190–612

  2. Fly Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to Chippewa County International Airport, bus, ferry

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Chippewa County International Airport (CIU)plane plane SBA - CIU
    2. Take the bus from Kinross to St. Ignacebus bus
    3. Take the ferry from St Ignace to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    20h 19m
    $142–536

  3. Train, bus, ferry

    1. Take the train from Santa Barbara 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 to St. Ignacebus bus
    5. Take the ferry from St Ignace to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    2d 12h
    $1,432–2,282

  4. Train to Los Angeles International Airport, fly to Pellston, ferry

    1. Take the train from Santa Barbara to Los Angelestrain train
    2. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Pellston (PLN)plane plane LAX - PLN
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    13h 50m
    $264–760

  5. Train to Los Angeles International Airport, fly to Chippewa County International Airport, bus, ferry

    1. Take the train from Santa Barbara to Los Angelestrain train
    2. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Chippewa County International Airport (CIU)plane plane LAX - CIU
    3. Take the bus from Kinross to St. Ignacebus bus
    4. Take the ferry from St Ignace to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    13h 55m
    $216–654

Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Pellston (PLN) flights

Calendar37Weekly Planes
Duration14h 10mAverage Duration
Ticket$119Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Santa Barbara to Mackinac Island.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 2,022.3 mi
  • Duration: 11h 44m

What companies run services between Santa Barbara, CA, USA and Mackinac Island, MI, USA?

There is no direct connection from Santa Barbara to Mackinac Island. However, you can take the line 11 bus to Santa Barbara Airport, walk to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) airport, fly to Pellston (PLN), take the taxi to Mackinaw, then take the ferry to Mackinac Island. Alternatively, you can take a train from Santa Barbara to Mackinac Island via Los Angeles, Chicago Union Station, East Lansing Amtrak Station, East Lansing, St. Ignace, and St Ignace in around 2d 12h.

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