Rome2Rio

How to get fromSouth Bend to Great Lakesby bus, ferry, car, or train

Find Transport to Great Lakes

See all options

There are 5 ways to get from South Bend to Great Lakes by bus, ferry, car, 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. Bus, ferry

    best
    1. Take the bus from South Bend, IN to Gary, INbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Gary Bus Station to Kalamazoo Bus Stopbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Kalamazoo Metro Transit to St. Ignacebus bus
    4. Take the ferry from St Ignace to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    14h 45m
    $103–183

  2. Drive 90.1 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from South Bend to Chicagocar car 90.1 mi
    1h 46m
    $17–24

  3. Train, bus, ferry

    1. Take the train from South Bend Station 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 St. Ignace, MIbus bus
    4. Take the ferry from St Ignace to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    15h 30m
    $157–309

  4. Train, bus, ferry via Grand Rapids

    1. Take the train from South Bend Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Stationtrain train
    3. Take the bus from Grand Rapids to St. Ignacebus bus
    4. Take the ferry from St Ignace to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    16h 24m

  5. Bus, ferry via Grand Rapids

    1. Take the bus from South Bend Station to Chicago Union Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Grand Rapids to St. Ignacebus bus
    4. Take the ferry from St Ignace to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    16h 24m

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from South Bend to Great Lakes.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 491.8 mi
  • Duration: 14h 45m

What companies run services between South Bend, IN, USA and Great Lakes, MI, USA?

There is no direct connection from South Bend to Great Lakes. However, you can take the bus to Gary, IN, walk to Gary Bus Station, take the bus to Kalamazoo Bus Stop, take the bus to St. Ignace, walk to St Ignace, then take the ferry to Mackinac Island. Alternatively, you can drive from South Bend to Chicago in around 1h 46m.

Train operators
Bus operators
Ferry operators

Want to know more about travelling around United States

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound