How to Get to Mackinac Island: Your Journey to Michigan's Timeless Treasure
Picture yourself stepping off a ferry onto an island where the clip-clop of horse hooves replaces the hum of engines, where Victorian grandeur meets pristine natural beauty, and where fudge shops outnumber gas stations—because there aren't any gas stations at all. Mackinac Island sits like a jewel in the straits between Michigan's two peninsulas, accessible only by boat or plane, stubbornly refusing to join the automotive age that transformed the rest of America. Getting there requires a bit more planning than your average road trip, but that's precisely what makes the journey feel like crossing into another realm entirely.
The Geography of Getting There
Mackinac Island floats in Lake Huron's waters, roughly 8 miles in circumference and positioned strategically where Lakes Michigan and Huron meet. This 3.8-square-mile haven sits closer to Michigan's Upper Peninsula than the Lower, though most visitors approach from the south. The island's isolation isn't just geographical—it's temporal, preserved in amber since automobiles were banned in 1898.
I've made this journey dozens of times over the years, and each approach still fills me with anticipation. Whether you're coming from Detroit, Chicago, or anywhere else in the Midwest, all roads eventually lead to one of three departure points: Mackinaw City, St. Ignace, or the small Mackinac Island Airport on the mainland.
Ferry Services: The Classic Approach
Most visitors—we're talking about 85% of the island's million annual guests—arrive by ferry. Three main companies have been shuttling people across these waters for generations: Shepler's Ferry, Star Line, and Arnold Transit. Each has its own personality, though they all cover the same stretch of water in about 16-20 minutes.
Shepler's, the oldest of the bunch, started operations in 1945. Their boats cut through the straits with a no-nonsense efficiency that speaks to decades of experience. Star Line offers the fastest hydro-jet ferries, which my kids always preferred for the spray and speed. Arnold Transit, family-owned since 1878, maintains a fleet that includes some beautifully restored vessels that make you feel like you're traveling back to the Gilded Age.
From Mackinaw City, ferries depart as early as 7 a.m. during peak season (May through October), with the last boats returning around 11 p.m. St. Ignace offers similar schedules, though with slightly fewer departures. Winter service is drastically reduced—only Arnold Transit maintains year-round operations, weather permitting.
Here's something the brochures don't tell you: if you're prone to seasickness, the morning crossings tend to be calmer. Afternoon winds can kick up decent swells, especially in September and October. I learned this the hard way during a particularly choppy October crossing that had half the passengers looking decidedly green.
Driving to the Departure Points
Mackinaw City serves as the primary launching point for most Lower Peninsula visitors. From Detroit, it's a straight shot up I-75 for about 280 miles—figure on 4.5 hours if you're lucky with traffic around Flint and Bay City. Chicago folks face a longer haul: either up through Wisconsin and across the Upper Peninsula (about 6 hours) or around the lake through Michigan (closer to 5.5 hours).
Parking becomes its own adventure during peak summer weekends. The ferry companies operate massive lots, but they fill up fast. Shepler's lot holds about 1,000 cars, Star Line manages similar capacity, and Arnold's is slightly smaller. Daily rates run $20-30 for cars, more for RVs and trailers. Some hotels in Mackinaw City offer park-and-ride packages that can save you a few bucks and some hassle.
St. Ignace, on the Upper Peninsula side, offers a less crowded alternative. The town itself has more of a working-class vibe compared to tourist-heavy Mackinaw City. Parking tends to be easier here, and you might save a few dollars on ferry tickets, though the selection of departure times is more limited.
Flying In: The Exclusive Option
For those who prefer to arrive in style—or simply can't stand boats—Great Lakes Air offers flights from St. Ignace to Mackinac Island Airport. The ten-minute flight in a small prop plane provides spectacular views of the Mackinac Bridge and surrounding islands. At around $65 per person each way, it costs more than the ferry but delivers an unforgettable experience.
The island's airport is delightfully small—basically a runway, a tiny terminal, and not much else. Horse-drawn taxis wait to carry passengers the mile and a half into town. I took this route once during a winter reporting assignment when ice made ferry travel impossible. Watching the frozen straits from above, dotted with ice fishing shanties and snowmobile tracks, offered a completely different perspective on this summer tourist haven.
Seasonal Considerations and Timing
Timing your journey to Mackinac Island involves more than just checking ferry schedules. The island transforms dramatically with the seasons, and each period offers distinct advantages and challenges.
Summer (June through August) brings the crowds. Ferry lines can stretch for blocks on holiday weekends, and finding last-minute accommodations becomes nearly impossible. Yet there's something infectious about the energy—streets bustling with day-trippers, the smell of fresh fudge wafting from dozens of shops, and perfect weather for exploring the island's 70 miles of trails.
I've grown partial to September visits. The summer crowds thin out after Labor Day, but the weather usually holds through the month. Hotels drop their rates, restaurants aren't packed, and you can actually hear the waves lapping against the shore instead of the constant chatter of tourists.
October brings spectacular fall colors but also unpredictable weather. Ferry schedules reduce, and many businesses close for the season. Still, if you catch a warm Indian summer day, the island reveals a quieter beauty that summer visitors never see.
Winter? That's when Mackinac Island becomes truly remote. Only about 500 hardy souls live here year-round, and reaching the island between January and March often requires a combination of snowmobile (when the ice is thick enough) or small plane. The few hotels that remain open cater to a different crowd—snowshoers, cross-country skiers, and those seeking genuine solitude.
What to Bring and Leave Behind
The car-free nature of Mackinac Island demands different packing strategies. Luggage gets transported by horse-drawn dray, but you'll likely walk more in a day here than in a typical week back home. Comfortable walking shoes aren't just recommended—they're essential.
Bicycles dominate the roads, and you can bring your own on the ferry for a small fee (usually $10-15). However, with numerous rental shops on the island charging reasonable daily rates, hauling your own bike might not be worth the hassle unless you're particularly attached to your ride.
Here's a mistake I see visitors make constantly: overdressing for dinner. Yes, the Grand Hotel requires jackets for men and dresses or pantsuits for women after 6 p.m., but most island restaurants embrace a decidedly casual atmosphere. You're on vacation on an island where horses outnumber people—leave the formal wear at home unless you're planning that Grand Hotel dinner.
Alternative Routes and Hidden Options
While most visitors follow the standard ferry routes, a few alternative approaches exist for the adventurous or well-connected. Private boats can dock at the Mackinac Island State Harbor, though slip fees run steep and availability is limited. The harbor master allocates spots on a first-come basis, with reservations accepted only for stays of three nights or longer.
Some visitors don't realize that you can island-hop your way to Mackinac. Bois Blanc Island, just southeast of Mackinac, maintains ferry service from Cheboygan. While there's no direct connection to Mackinac Island, private boat arrangements can sometimes be made. It's a roundabout route that few take, but it offers a glimpse of the less-touristed corners of the straits.
During the Port Huron to Mackinac sailboat race each July, creative transportation options multiply. Spectator boats follow the race, and some offer passenger services. I once hitched a ride with a racing crew delivering a boat after the race—not exactly a scheduled service, but it reminded me that water highways work differently than their asphalt counterparts.
Planning Your Departure
Getting to Mackinac Island is only half the equation—you'll need to plan your departure too. Missing the last ferry means an expensive night in an island hotel, assuming you can find a room. During peak season, I always book a return ferry at least one sailing before the last boat. Too many times I've seen panicked tourists sprinting for the dock, shopping bags flying, as the final ferry of the day pulls away.
Weather can complicate departures. Dense fog occasionally shuts down ferry service, sometimes for hours. The ferry companies maintain pretty good communication about delays, but building buffer time into your travel plans prevents mainland connection misses.
The Journey as Destination
Something shifts when you board that ferry or plane to Mackinac Island. The physical journey across the water becomes a mental transition too. You're leaving behind a world of highways and hurry for a place that measures time in seasons rather than minutes.
I remember my first approach to the island twenty years ago, watching the Grand Hotel's massive porch come into view, counting church steeples, and trying to spot horses on the shore. That sense of anticipation hasn't faded with repetition. If anything, knowing what waits on the island makes the journey more meaningful.
The trip to Mackinac Island requires more effort than driving to most destinations. You can't punch it into your GPS and arrive on autopilot. But that's the point. In our increasingly connected and accessible world, places that demand deliberate effort to reach become more precious. The journey to Mackinac Island isn't just about transportation logistics—it's about preparing yourself for a different pace of life, even if only for a few days.
Whether you arrive by ferry with hundreds of other day-trippers or fly in on a tiny plane with just the pilot for company, reaching Mackinac Island feels like an accomplishment. You've left your car behind, crossed the water, and entered a place that stubbornly maintains its own rules about time, transportation, and the pace of life. The journey itself becomes part of the island's gift—a forced deceleration that prepares you for the unique rhythms of this timeless destination.
Authoritative Sources:
Arnold Transit Company. "Ferry Service to Mackinac Island." Arnold Line. www.arnoldline.com
Great Lakes Air. "Flight Services to Mackinac Island." Great Lakes Air Inc. www.greatlakesair.net
Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau. "Planning Your Visit." Mackinac Island. www.mackinacisland.org
Mackinac State Historic Parks. "Visitor Information." Michigan Department of Natural Resources. www.mackinacparks.com
McCabe, John. Grand Hotel: Mackinac Island. Unicorn Press, 1987.
Michigan Department of Transportation. "State Highway Map." State of Michigan. www.michigan.gov/mdot
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry. "Schedule and Rates." Shepler's Ferry. www.sheplersferry.com
Star Line Mackinac Island Hydro-Jet Ferry. "Ferry Service Information." Star Line. www.mackinacferry.com
Porter, Phil. View from the Veranda: The History and Architecture of the Summer Cottages on Mackinac Island. Mackinac State Historic Parks, 1981.
Wood, May. Mackinac Island: Its History in Pictures. Mackinac Island State Park Commission, 1969.