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Voykit pocket guide · United States
Old Orchard Beach
Spend one full day on the beach, rides and boardwalk; add a night in a B&B if you want a relaxed stay.
Old Orchard Beach is a small Maine seaside town with a seven‑mile beach, a classic amusement park (Palace Playland) and easy rail access. A single day covers the beach, rides, a walk to the historic pier and a quick bite; staying overnight lets you enjoy sunrise, the evening fireworks and a relaxed B&B experience.
- Country
- United States
- Best months
- June, late August, early September
- Avoid
- July–August holiday weekends (e.g., 4th July, Labor Day)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.
- Daily spend
- Budget $70–$100 excl. bed · Mid $100–$150 excl. bed · High $150+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police/Fire/Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and straighteners from 230 V countries need a converter.
- Tipping
- Sit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.; Taxi / ride-hailing: 15–20%, in the app.; Hotel housekeeping: US$3–5 a night.; Porter / valet: US$2–5 per bag or car.; Tour guide: US$10–20 per person for a day tour.; Counter service / tablet prompts: Optional; 0–15%.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations. Rest areas on highways are free.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Ice cream cone | $3–$5 |
| Pier fries | $2–$4 |
| Parking (seasonal lot) | $5–$10 per day |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- PWM · Portland International Jetport
- About 30 min drive north via Route 9
Typical fares
- Downtowner Portland ↔ Old Orchard
- about $6 one‑way (check schedule)
- Summer trolley ride
- $1 per ride
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Downeaster train stops at Old Orchard Beach (seasonal). Summer trolley $1, regional buses $1.25. Walking is best for beach and boardwalk; bike rentals available.
See and do
Known for
- Seven‑mile beach
- Palace Playland amusement park
- Ferry Beach State Park
- Historic pier and boardwalk
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Portland, ME | Bus or bike via Route 9, about 30 min | ≈45 min round trip |
| Scarborough Marsh | Bike or bus north along Route 9, 10 min | ≈30 min total |
| Ferry Beach State Park | Car or bike south on Route 9, 15 min | ≈30 min total |
Sleep
- Atlantic Birches Inn
- Victorian B&B, year‑round, close to the beach
- Edgewater Inn
- Year‑round, deck with sea views
- Ocean Walk Hotel
- Central Grand Avenue, easy walk to boardwalk
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Excusez‑moi / Pardonexcusez‑moi / pardon |
| Thank you | Mercimerci |
| How much is it? | Combien ça coûte ?combien ça coûte |
| Where is the bathroom? | Où sont les toilettes ?où sont les toilettes |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'hi, how are you?' — reply 'good, thanks'; avoid: Treating the question as a real health enquiry
- Restaurants: Tip 18–22% and wait for the check; avoid: Leaving without tipping
- Personal space: Keep an arm's length in queues; avoid: Standing close to strangers
- Politics and religion: Listen more than you speak; avoid: Opening with hot-button topics
- Smoking: Smoke only in marked areas; avoid: Smoking near doors or in parks where banned
Scams and watch-outs
- Train service is seasonal – check Amtrak schedule in spring.
- Parking can fill quickly in peak summer; consider the train.
- Alcohol is prohibited on the beach; officers patrol.
Old Orchard Beach is generally safe for tourists; stay alert for beach alcohol bans, seasonal crowds, and occasional traffic congestion near peak holidays.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Old Orchard Beach yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Seven‑mile beach
- Palace Playland amusement park
- Ferry Beach State Park
- Historic pier and boardwalk
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Old Orchard Beach: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Old Orchard Beach, revision 5234375 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5234375
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Old Orchard Beach
À cette adresse, s’il vous plaît
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
US consulate in Portland (check address).
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/old-orchard-beach). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.