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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 7 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
    13h
    $158–549

  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. Ignace Transportation Centerbus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    23h 33m
    $156–560

  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, MI to Mackinawbus bus
    5. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    2d 11h
    $864–1,822

  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 57m
    $228–797

  5. Fly Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to Traverse City, bus, ferry

    1. Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Traverse City (TVC)plane plane SBA - 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 39m
    $156–545

  6. 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. Ignace Transportation Centerbus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    14h 14m
    $236–768

  7. Bus, train, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Santa Barbara to Los Angelesbus 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 12h

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

Calendar28Weekly Planes
Duration10h 53mAverage Duration
Ticket$123Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Santa Barbara to Mackinac Island.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 2,025.1 mi
  • Duration: 13h

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 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 Santa Barbara to Mackinac Island via Los Angeles, Chicago Union Station, East Lansing Amtrak Station, East Lansing, MI, Mackinaw, and Mackinaw City in around 2d 11h.

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