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How to get fromChicago Loop to Mackinac Islandby train, bus, ferry, or plane

Find Transport to Mackinac Island

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There are 6 ways to get from Chicago Loop to Mackinac Island by train, bus, ferry, or plane

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Train, bus, ferry

    best
    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to East Lansing Amtrak Stationtrain train
    2. Take the bus from East Lansing to St. Ignacebus bus
    3. Take the ferry from St Ignace to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    12h 25m
    $180–291

  2. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport, ferry

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Pellston (PLN)plane plane ORD - PLN
    2. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    7h 45m
    $128–415

  3. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport, ferry

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Pellston (PLN)plane plane MDW - PLN
    2. Take the ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    9h 7m
    $158–565

  4. Bus, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Chicago Union Station to East Lansing Amtrak Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from East Lansing to St. Ignacebus bus
    3. Take the ferry from St Ignace to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    12h 30m

  5. Train, bus, ferry via Grand Rapids

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Stationtrain train
    2. Take the bus from Grand Rapids to St. Ignacebus bus
    3. Take the ferry from St Ignace to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    13h 24m
    $175–263

  6. Bus, ferry via Grand Rapids

    1. Take the bus from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Grand Rapids to St. Ignacebus bus
    3. Take the ferry from St Ignace to Mackinac Islandferry ferry
    13h 24m

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Pellston (PLN) flights

Calendar24Weekly Planes
Duration9h 1mAverage Duration
Ticket$75Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Chicago Loop to Mackinac Island.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 470.4 mi
  • Duration: 12h 25m

What companies run services between Chicago Loop, IL, USA and Mackinac Island, MI, USA?

There is no direct connection from Chicago Loop to Mackinac Island. However, you can take the train to East Lansing Amtrak Station, walk to East Lansing, take the bus to St. Ignace, walk to St Ignace, then take the ferry to Mackinac Island. Alternatively, you can take the subway to Midway, walk to Chicago-Midway-Airport-MDW airport, fly to Pellston (PLN), take the taxi to Mackinaw, then take the ferry to Mackinac Island.

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