Belfast, Maine
Belfast airport to city centre: trains, buses, taxis and costs
Belfast, Maine has no commercial airport, so you arrive by road: fly into Bangor (BGR) or Portland (PWM) and drive 45–90 minutes, or take the Concord Coach bus to Bangor or Portland and connect. Rent a car unless you are staying downtown.
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GuideBelfast, Maine
Key facts
- Nearest commercial airport
- Bangor International (BGR), about 30 miles (48 km) southwest by car
- Second option
- Portland International Jetport (PWM), about 100 miles (160 km) south by car
- Train to Belfast
- None; Amtrak Downeaster serves Portland and Brunswick only
- Intercity bus
- Concord Coach to Bangor or Portland, then car or local connection
- Best for car-free visitors
- Stay in downtown Belfast and use taxis or ride-hailing for the last leg
- Typical taxi or ride-hailingcheck
- US$60–120 from Bangor, US$150–250 from Portland (2026 estimate)
- Rental car
- US$45–110 a day plus insurance and fuel, per the US country facts
Quick answer
Belfast, Maine is a small coastal town with no commercial airport of its own. Almost everyone arrives by road: a flight into Bangor or Portland followed by a rental car, or an intercity coach to Bangor or Portland and then a car, taxi or ride-hailing for the last stretch.
If you are coming for the harbour, the food and the walkable Main Street, a car is still the practical choice for the last leg unless you are staying downtown and plan to stay there. There is no train to Belfast and no direct bus from either airport.
Options at a glance
Distances and times below are road estimates; traffic on US-1 and ME-3 is light outside summer weekends. Prices are 2026 estimates and vary with season and demand.
| Option | From | Time | Cost (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rental car | Bangor International (BGR) | 45–60 min | US$45–110 a day plus insurance and fuel |
| Rental car | Portland International Jetport (PWM) | 1 h 45 min–2 h | US$45–110 a day plus insurance and fuel |
| Taxi or ride-hailing | Bangor | 45–60 min | US$60–120 |
| Taxi or ride-hailing | Portland | 1 h 45 min–2 h | US$150–250 |
| Concord Coach bus + car or taxi | Boston South Station via Bangor or Portland | 5–6 h to Bangor, then 45–60 min | Bus US$30–60 one way, plus the last leg |
| Amtrak Downeaster + car or taxi | Boston North Station to Portland or Brunswick | 2 h 30 min–3 h 30 min, then 1 h 30 min–2 h by road | US$25–45 one way, plus the last leg |
Times are road estimates and exclude waiting; verify schedules and fares before booking (check).
Detail
Bangor International is the closest commercial airport to Belfast, roughly 30 miles (about 48 km) southwest along ME-3 and I-95. It has a small terminal and limited daily flights, mostly connections through larger hubs. Portland International Jetport is bigger, with more nonstop routes, but it sits about 100 miles (about 160 km) south, so the drive is roughly twice as long.
There is no rail service to Belfast. Amtrak's Downeaster runs between Boston and Brunswick with stops in Portland and Freeport, but the line does not reach the midcoast. From Portland or Brunswick you still need a car, taxi or ride-hailing for the final 1 h 30 min–2 h.
Concord Coach Lines runs intercity buses between Boston and Bangor, with a stop in Portland. From Bangor or Portland, the last leg to Belfast is by car, taxi or ride-hailing. Local bus service in the Belfast area is limited, so do not count on a public connection from either airport (check).
If you are flying into Boston Logan instead, the drive to Belfast is about 3 h 30 min–4 h. That can work if you are already spending time in Boston, but it is a long haul after a flight.
Costs
A rental car is usually the cheapest way to cover the last leg if you need a car in the area anyway. The US country facts put rentals at US$45–110 a day plus insurance, fuel and fees; book early for summer, when midcoast Maine demand is high.
Taxis and ride-hailing are the simplest option if you are not driving. Expect roughly US$60–120 from Bangor and US$150–250 from Portland (2026 estimate). Ride-hailing coverage in the Belfast area is thinner than in Portland or Bangor, so a pre-booked taxi is safer for late arrivals (check).
Bus and train fares are modest: Concord Coach between Boston and Bangor or Portland is roughly US$30–60 one way, and the Amtrak Downeaster between Boston and Portland or Brunswick is roughly US$25–45 one way (2026 estimate). Both leave you with a paid last leg on top.
Tips
- Book the rental car before you book the flight; summer availability in midcoast Maine is tight.
- If you arrive after dark, pre-book a taxi rather than relying on ride-hailing in Belfast.
- Check whether your rental agreement allows pickup at Bangor or Portland and drop-off in Belfast; one-way fees may apply.
- Download an offline map: mobile coverage is fine on the coast but patchy on back roads.
- In winter, allow extra time for snow and ice on ME-3 and I-95.
FAQ
Sources
Questions people ask
How do I get from Belfast airport to the city centre?
Belfast, Maine has no commercial airport. Fly into Bangor (about 45–60 minutes by car) or Portland (about 1 h 45 min–2 h), then drive, take a taxi or use ride-hailing. Intercity buses stop in Bangor and Portland, not Belfast.
How much is a taxi from Belfast airport?
There is no Belfast airport. From Bangor expect roughly US$60–120 and from Portland roughly US$150–250 (2026 estimate). Pre-book for late arrivals, since ride-hailing coverage in Belfast is limited (check).
Is there a train from Belfast airport?
No. Belfast, Maine has no rail service. Amtrak's Downeaster reaches Portland and Brunswick only, leaving a 1 h 30 min–2 h road leg to Belfast.
What is the closest airport to Belfast, Maine?
Bangor International (BGR) is closest, about 30 miles (48 km) away. Portland International Jetport (PWM) has more flights but is about 100 miles (160 km) south.
Do I need a car in Belfast, Maine?
For the last leg from Bangor or Portland, yes in practice. Downtown Belfast is walkable, but reaching the surrounding coast and peninsulas without a car is difficult.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialBangor International Airport
- officialPortland International Jetport
- officialConcord Coach Lines
- officialAmtrak – Downeaster
- officialMaine Office of Tourism
- secondaryWikivoyage – Maine