Getting Here and Around: How to Get to Mackinac Island and Grand Hotel
From ferries and airplanes to horse-drawn carriages, here are the many ways on how to get to Mackinac Island and Grand Hotel.
By Car to Ferries
Ferries to Mackinac Island can be accessed by driving to Mackinaw City (on Michigan’s lower peninsula) or St. Ignace (upper peninsula). Get driving directions to Mackinaw City or St. Ignace.
Ferry Service to Mackinac Island
Passage to Mackinac Island is provided by a number of ferry boat lines, which provide service from May to November. The boats operate from early morning until early evening, with frequent crossings throughout the day. All ferry boat lines operate from both Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, Michigan. Luggage transfer is simple and convenient, with assistance provided on both the mainland and Mackinac Island. Please allow three hours for luggage transfer.
Registered guests of Grand Hotel receive a discount by using Shepler’s Ferry and can purchase tickets directly online or may show their confirmation at the ferry dock to receive the discount. In addition to ferry boat tickets, admission to Grand Hotel (for non-hotel guests) can also be purchased through Shepler’s Ferry.
Parking
Ample parking is available at all mainland ferry docks. Options for parking vary by service and location.
Taxis
Grand Hotel is a 15- to 20-minute walk from the boat docks. For your convenience, Grand Hotel operates horse-drawn carriages between the docks and Grand Hotel. As with all taxi services on Mackinac Island, there is an $8.00 per person fee and seats are on a first-come, first-served basis. We cannot guarantee Grand Hotel carriages will meet all ferry boats, nor can we guarantee seats for all Grand Hotel guests.
By Air
Mackinac Island Airport (MCD)
Mackinac Island Airport’s 3,500-foot lighted, paved runway is capable of accommodating private and charter aircraft. The airport is one mile from Grand Hotel. A horse-drawn taxi service is available from the airport to Grand Hotel. For more information, please call 906-847-3323.
Charter Airlines
Grand Hotel has partnered with Pentastar Aviation as the exclusive hotel partner to deliver exceptional private charter jet offerings and seamless travel services to guests of Grand Hotel. Pentastar operates a diverse fleet of aircraft and services both regional and global travelers for a seamless travel experience. Sharing our commitment to service, Pentastar Aviation offers Grand Hotel guests exclusive rates on any charter flight from major hubs to and from Mackinac Island.
By flying direct to Mackinac Island Airport, this first-class experience allows you to bypass the usual ferry ride to the Island. Upon your arrival, a horse-drawn taxi can be arranged to transport you from the Mackinac Island Airport to Grand Hotel. For more information or to book your private jet charter to Mackinac Island, contact Calvin Ford at [email protected] or (248) 666-8214.
Mackinac County Airport (83D)
Mackinac County Airport is located in St. Ignace and offers flights to Mackinac Island Airport via Fresh Air Aviation. Guests who require air transportation from St. Ignace may contact Fresh Air Aviation 231-237-9482 ext. 2 or Great Lakes Air at 906-643-7165 directly for more information.
Pellston Regional Airport (PLN)
Pellston Regional Airport is located 12 miles south of Mackinaw City. Air taxi service between the Pellston Regional Airport and Mackinac Island Airport is available 24 hours a day. For information, call Fresh Air Aviation at 231-237-9482 ext. 2 or Great Lakes Air at 906-643-7165.
Visit Pellston Regional Airport
Commercial Airlines
Commercial air service to Pellston is available daily through SkyWest Airlines from Detroit.
Shuttle Service
Mackinaw Shuttle is available at the Pellston Regional Airport for transportation service between the Pellston Airport and the Mackinaw City ferry docks. Transportation from other Michigan cities is based on availability, with reservations made in advance. Reservations are recommended for ALL transportation by calling 231-539-7005.
Chippewa County International Airport (CIU)
Chippewa County International Airport provides daily non-stop round trips to and from Detroit Metro and Minneapolis-St. Paul and is located 42 miles south of Mackinaw City and approximately a 30 minute drive from the Ferry dock.
Visit Chippewa County International Airport
Cherry Capital Airport – Traverse City Airport (TVC)
Cherry Capital Airport (Traverse City Airport – TVC) provides non-stop round-trip flights to and from north Michigan and over 15 cities (including Chicago, Atlanta, New York and Orlando). The airport is approximately a 2-hour drive from the Ferry dock and provides a beautiful view of Michigan scenery.
Visit Chippewa County International Airport
Gerald R. Ford International Airport – Grand Rapids Airport (GRR)
Cherry Capital Airport (Traverse City Airport – TVC) provides non-stop round-trip flights to and from north Michigan and over 15 cities (including Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York and Dallas). The airport is approximately a 4-hour drive from the Ferry dock.
Visit Chippewa County International Airport
Luggage
If you arrive by ferry, luggage transfer is simple and convenient. When you check in your luggage with the ferry service on the mainland, it will be tagged and delivered directly to your hotel room. Upon check-in, present your luggage tags at the front desk. If you are arriving close to 6:00 PM, you may want to bring your evening wear with you to the hotel as luggage transfer may take up to three hours to get to the hotel from the dock.
For your return trip back to the mainland, follow the in-room instructions. Your luggage will be tagged and transferred from your room to a secure location on the appropriate mainland dock. We request a minimum three-hour window for the transfer. Guests departing by ferry prior to 9:00 AM should transfer their own luggage to the dock. Please note that an added fee of $12.00 per person, per stay, applies for the round-trip transfer of luggage.
