
Traverse City Airport is a popular regional airport located around 100 miles from Mackinac Island. Travellers can drive from Traverse City to Mackinaw City or St. Ignace, from where they can take a ferry to Mackinac Island. The drive from Traverse City to Mackinaw City or St. Ignace takes around two hours, and the ferry ride to Mackinac Island takes 16 to 26 minutes. Travellers can also opt for shuttle services from Traverse City Airport to the ferry docks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance | About 100 miles |
| Travel time | 2 hours by car, 4 hours 10 minutes by bus and ferry |
| Transport options | Car, bus, ferry, plane |
| Airports | Traverse City Airport (TVC), Pellston Regional Airport (PLN), Chippewa County International Airport (CIU) |
| Ferry companies | Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry, Arnold Transit Company, Star Line Ferry, Indian Trails |
| Ferry time | 16-26 minutes |
| Other options | Private boat, cruise |
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What You'll Learn

Traverse City Airport to Mackinaw City: a two-hour drive
Traverse City Airport to Mackinaw City is a two-hour drive, covering a distance of about 100 miles. The drive is straightforward, with US-31 and I-75 being the main highways. The route offers picturesque views of Lake Michigan, small towns, and other photo-worthy spots.
Upon reaching Mackinaw City, you can take a ferry to Mackinac Island. Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry and Arnold Transit Company offer ferry services from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Island. The ferry ride takes around 16 to 26 minutes.
Alternatively, you can take a bus from Traverse City to St. Ignace and then take a ferry from there to Mackinac Island. Indian Trails offers bus services connecting Traverse City to St. Ignace. This option may be more economical, and you get to see more of the area.
If you prefer a more direct route, you can also fly from Traverse City Airport to Pellston Regional Airport (PLN) and then take a shuttle or taxi to Mackinaw City. From there, you can take the ferry to Mackinac Island.
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Ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Island: 16-26 minutes
Travellers flying into Traverse City Airport (TVC) can reach Mackinac Island via a ferry from Mackinaw City. The ferry ride from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Island takes approximately 16 to 26 minutes.
The ferry is a popular option for travellers to Mackinac Island, as the island is surrounded by water with no bridge to the mainland. Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry and Arnold Transit Company offer passenger ferry services from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Island and back. During the primary tourist season, from late April through the end of October, ferries depart every 30 minutes or so.
To get to the ferry docks in Mackinaw City, travellers from Traverse City Airport can use a shuttle service such as Mackinaw Shuttle or Northern Transport & Shuttle. The journey from Traverse City Airport to Mackinaw City takes approximately two hours by shuttle.
Travellers can also opt to rent a car and drive from Traverse City Airport to Mackinaw City, which is about a two-hour drive. Once in Mackinaw City, they can park their vehicles in designated ferry parking lots and then board the ferry to Mackinac Island.
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Traverse City to St. Ignace: a two-hour drive
Traverse City is located about 2 hours south of Mackinaw City. Travellers can opt for a shuttle service from Traverse City Airport to the Mackinac Island ferry docks. The ferry ride from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Island takes about 16-26 minutes.
If you prefer to drive, the total driving time from Traverse City to St. Ignace is 2 hours and 13 minutes for a distance of about 124 miles or 200 kilometres. You can use a service like DriveDistance.com to find out the exact driving distance and directions.
From St. Ignace, you can take a ferry to Mackinac Island. Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry and Arnold Transit Company offer passenger ferry services every 30 minutes or so during the primary tourist season, from late April through the end of October.
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Ferry from St. Ignace to Mackinac Island: 16-20 minutes
Travellers flying into Traverse City Airport (TVC) can reach Mackinac Island via a shuttle service to the ferry docks. The Mackinaw Shuttle offers transportation from the airport to the St. Ignace ferry docks, with advance reservations. The shuttle is also available from Pellston Regional Airport (PLN) and Chippewa County International Airport (CIU).
Once at St. Ignace, visitors can take a ferry to Mackinac Island. Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry and Arnold Transit Company offer ferry services from St. Ignace to Mackinac Island. The ferry ride takes around 16-20 minutes. Shepler's parking and loading docks are located at 601 State Street in St. Ignace. Arnold Transit Company has two boarding locations in St. Ignace: the Original Arnold Transit Dock #1 (99 N. State Street) and the main dock (587 N.State Street).
It is also possible to reach Mackinac Island by plane or by private boat. Fresh Air Aviation operates flights to Mackinac Island Airport from St. Ignace. Boat slips are available for rent at the Mackinac Island State Harbour, East Dock, and Coal Dock.
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Traverse City to Mackinac Island: bus and ferry
Travelling from Traverse City to Mackinac Island without a car is possible via a bus and ferry connection. The bus from Traverse City to St. Ignace takes around 2 hours, and the ferry from St. Ignace to Mackinac Island takes 16-26 minutes. The total journey time, including transfers, is approximately 4 hours and 10 minutes. This route is also the cheapest way to get to Mackinac Island from Traverse City, with tickets costing between $40 and $100.
Bus from Traverse City to St. Ignace
The bus route from Traverse City to St. Ignace is served by Indian Trails. This is a good option if you want to avoid renting a car or driving. However, there is only one bus per day, and it departs at 7 pm, arriving in St. Ignace around 9 pm.
Ferry from St. Ignace to Mackinac Island
Once you arrive in St. Ignace, you can take a ferry to Mackinac Island. Two ferry companies operate from St. Ignace: Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry and Arnold Transit Company. Shepler's Ferry also operates from Mackinaw City, which is around a 2-hour drive from Traverse City. The ferry ride itself takes around 16-20 minutes, with fantastic views of the Mackinac Bridge and the island as you approach.
Alternative Routes
If you are travelling from Traverse City Airport, you can take a taxi to the airport and fly to Pellston, and then take a taxi to Mackinaw before getting the ferry. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle service from the airport to Mackinaw City ferry docks, hotels, and campgrounds.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you cannot drive directly from Traverse City Airport to Mackinac Island as Mackinac Island is surrounded by water with no bridge to the mainland. However, you can drive from Traverse City Airport to Mackinaw City or St. Ignace, which are both around a 2-hour drive away. From there, you can take a ferry to Mackinac Island.
You can rent a car from Traverse City Airport and drive to Mackinaw City or St. Ignace. Alternatively, you can take the Mackinaw Shuttle from Traverse City Airport to Mackinaw City.
From Mackinaw City or St. Ignace, you can take a ferry to Mackinac Island. Shepler's Ferry and Star Line Ferry are two popular options, offering frequent departures and fantastic views of the Mackinac Bridge. The ferry ride takes around 16-26 minutes.











































