There are 3 ways to get from Thunder Bay to Brainerd by plane, bus, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly, bus
best- Fly from Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT) to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)plane YQT - MSP
- Take the bus from Minneapolis / St Paul Airport to Perkins Restaurant & Bakery - Brainerdbus
8h 38m$388–1,290Drive 302.6 mi
cheapest- Drive from Thunder Bay to Brainerdcar 302.6 mi
6h 22m$70–100Bus
- Take the bus from Thunder Bay to Sault Ste Mariebus
- Take the bus from Sault Ste. Marie, MI to Ironwoodbus
- Take the bus from Ironwood to Duluth Transportation Center Eastbus
- Take the bus from Duluth to Brainerdbus
24h 29m$144–289
Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT) to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) flights
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Thunder Bay to Brainerd is to drive which costs $65 - $100 and takes 6h 22m.
The fastest way to get from Thunder Bay to Brainerd is to drive which takes 6h 22m and costs $65 - $100.
No, there is no direct bus from Thunder Bay to Brainerd. However, there are services departing from Thunder Bay and arriving at Brainerd via Sault Ste. Marie, MI, Ironwood and Duluth. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 24h 29m.
The distance between Thunder Bay and Brainerd is 455 miles. The road distance is 304.4 miles.
It takes approximately 8h 38m to get from Thunder Bay to Brainerd, including transfers.
Thunder Bay to Brainerd bus services, operated by Ontario Northland, depart from Thunder Bay station.
Thunder Bay to Brainerd bus services, operated by Ontario Northland, arrive at Sault Ste Marie station.
Brainerd is 1h behind Thunder Bay. It is currently 9:44 PM in Thunder Bay and 8:44 PM in Brainerd.
Yes, the driving distance between Thunder Bay to Brainerd is 304 miles. It takes approximately 6h 22m to drive from Thunder Bay to Brainerd.
There are 95+ hotels available in Brainerd.
What companies run services between Thunder Bay, ON, Canada and Brainerd, MN, USA?
You can take a bus from Thunder Bay to Brainerd via Sault Ste Marie, Sault Ste. Marie, MI, Ironwood, and Duluth in around 24h 29m.
- Website
- westjet.com
Flights from Thunder Bay International Airport to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport via Winnipeg
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 41m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $95–550
Flights from Thunder Bay International Airport to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport via Toronto
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 24m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–650
- Phone
- +1 320-316-0943
- Website
- groometransportation.com
Bus from Minneapolis / St Paul Airport to Perkins Restaurant & Bakery - Brainerd
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 20m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $60
- Schedules at
- groometransportation.com
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
Travelling to the US: What do I need to know?
Read the travel guide