Outside of Michigan, more Mackinac Island visitors come from Chicago than anywhere else. It’s not only the largest city in the Midwest, but full of people that appreciate the unique joy and beauty of Lake Michigan. 

So, it’s only natural that Chicagoans want to experience the “Jewel of the Great Lakes!” Plus, Mackinac Island is easily accessible from Chicago both by car and plane, with options to make the trip by train and bus as well. And if you want to make time for some special travel experiences and sightseeing along the way, well, you can do that, too. 

Whichever path to Mackinac Island you pick, you’ll arrive at a magical destination a world away from the hustle and bustle of Chicagoland, a place where the horse is king and there’s legendary adventure around every turn. 

A map of travel routes between Chicago and Mackinac Island

Here are six ways of getting from Chicago to Mackinac Island and back:

Chicago to Mackinac Island by Car, Option 1 

One way to drive from Chicago to Mackinac Island is around the east side of Lake Michigan and up through Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. This route goes past the beach towns of southwestern Michigan before veering inland through Grand Rapids, Michigan’s second-largest city. Then you’ll drive up through the middle of the state to Mackinaw City, where you can park your car and catch a ferry boat to Mackinac Island. Travel time to the Mackinac Island ferry docks in Mackinaw City: 6.5 hours.

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A Shepler’s Ferry boat full of passengers cruises through the water between Mackinac Island and Michigan’s mainland.

Chicago to Mackinac Island by Car, Option 2

While the shortest route by car for many Chicagoans rounds the southern end of Lake Michigan before heading north, people on the north side of Chicagoland can save some gas by driving north through Wisconsin past Milwaukee and Green Bay before heading east through Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Travel time to the Mackinac Island ferry docks in St. Ignace is about 7 hours. To experience the Lake Michigan Circle Tour during your trip to Mackinac Island, drive through Michigan's Lower Peninsula on the way there and through Wisconsin on the way back, or vice versa.

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A couple walks along the waterfront past boats in Mackinac Island’s harbor.

Chicago to Mackinac Island, Car Ferry Options 

For a driving route from Chicago to Mackinac Island with a car ferry along the way, there's a choice of two Lake Michigan crossings: the Lake Express ferry from Milwaukee to Muskegon, Mich. or the S.S. Badger ferry from Manitowoc, Wisc. to Ludington, Mich. From Chicago, it’s about a 90-minute drive to Milwaukee, then another four hours from Muskegon to the Mackinac Island ferry docks in Mackinaw City after the 2.5-hour water crossing on the Lake Express. To ride the S.S. Badger, it’s about a 3-hour drive to Manitowoc, then another three hours from Ludington to the ferry docks in Mackinaw City after a 4-hour water crossing.

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An idyllic Mackinac Island scene featuring a horse-drawn carriage on the street and St. Anne’s Church in the background

Chicago to Mackinac Island by Plane

Flying from Chicago to Mackinac Island is one way you can leave your vehicle behind and embrace the car-free character of Mackinac Island throughout your entire trip. Starting in May 2025, you can fly direct from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to northern Michigan airports near Mackinac Island. From May through September, United Express offers at least one flight per day - two flights per day from Memorial Day through Labor Day - to Pellston Regional Airport (PLN), which is located about 15 miles south of the Mackinac Island ferry docks in Mackinaw City. United Express also offers daily flights from mid-May through September to Chippewa County International Airport (CIU), just 30 miles north of the Mackinac Island ferry docks in St. Ignace. 

Each of those northern Michigan airports offers shuttle service to the ferry docks where you can board a 15-minute boat ride to Mackinac Island. You also can fly directly to the Mackinac Island Airport by taking a charter flight. Just be sure to call ahead and have a horse-drawn taxi meet you at the Mackinac Island Airport when you land!

Yes! You can fly to Mackinac Island 

Colorful flowers beautify the front landscaping of a Mackinac Island cottage

Chicago to Mackinac Island by Train

A train/bus combo from Chicago to Mackinac Island is another car-free travel option. Amtrak provides service from Union Station to several Michigan destinations including Grand Rapids, Lansing and Flint. From there, you can board a bus to Mackinaw City and hop on a ferry boat to Mackinac Island.

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A large cruise ship docks in Mackinac Island State Harbor

Chicago to Mackinac Island on a Cruise

Taking a Great Lakes cruise with a stop on Mackinac Island is another option for Chicagoans looking to experience the Jewel of the Great Lakes. Mackinac Island is a popular port of call for Great Lakes cruise ships including some that depart from Chicago. You’ll make your way through the Great Lakes on a luxury cruise ship and spend one of your days exploring the unique charm and natural beauty of Mackinac Island!

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