Paris, Maine
Paris airport to city centre: trains, buses, taxis and costs
Paris, Maine has no commercial airport, so you arrive by road: drive 60–75 minutes from Portland International Jetport (PWM) or about 3 hours from Boston Logan (BOS). Rent a car or book a shuttle; there is no train or city bus from either airport to Paris. Without a car, base in Portland instead.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
GuideParis, Maine
Key facts
- Nearest commercial airportcheck
- Portland International Jetport (PWM), about 70 km / 60–75 min by car
- Second optioncheck
- Boston Logan (BOS), about 240 km / 3 h by car
- Train to Paris, Maine
- None; Amtrak Downeaster serves Portland, not Paris
- Bus to Paris, Mainecheck
- No direct airport bus; intercity coaches stop in Portland or South Paris
- Best option with luggage
- Rental car from PWM; a car is needed for the White Mountains and lakes
- Taxi / ride-hailing from PWMcheck
- US$90–150 for the run to Paris; ride-hailing coverage is thin
- Shuttlecheck
- Shared and private airport shuttles serve the Oxford Hills area
- Tipping
- 15–20% for taxi and ride-hailing, in the app
Options at a glance
Paris, Maine sits in the Oxford Hills, about 70 km northwest of Portland. Every route in is by road, so the choice is really car versus pre-booked ride. Prices are 2026 estimates.
| Option | Time to Paris | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rental car from PWM | 60–75 min | US$45–110 a day plus fuel | Most visitors; you need a car once here |
| Taxi or ride-hailing from PWM | 60–75 min | US$90–150 | Two people arriving late with light bags |
| Pre-booked shuttle from PWM | 75–90 min | US$40–90 per person | Solo travellers and small groups |
| Rental car from BOS | About 3 h | US$45–110 a day plus tolls and fuel | Cheaper flights into Boston |
| Amtrak Downeaster to Portland, then car | Train 2.5 h from Boston, then 60–75 min drive | Train US$10–30; car or taxi onward | Avoiding a long one-way drive |
| Concord Coach Lines to Portland or South Paris | Coach 2–3 h from Boston, then local ride | US$20–40 | Cheapest no-car option, with a gap at the end |
No train or city bus runs from any airport to Paris, Maine. Verify shuttle and coach schedules before booking.
The detail
Portland International Jetport is the practical gateway: a small, quick airport with rental desks on site and downtown Portland 15 minutes away. From the terminal, take the exit to the rental car centre or the taxi rank. The drive to Paris runs up I-95 to Gray, then Route 26 northwest through Poland and Oxford — straightforward in daylight, dark and deer-prone after dusk.
Boston Logan is the alternative when fares are much cheaper. The drive is about 3 hours via I-95 and I-495, with tolls. A one-way rental dropped in Maine can carry a drop fee, so price it before you commit. Amtrak's Downeaster from Boston North Station to Portland takes about 2.5 hours and is comfortable, but it stops in Portland; from there you still need a car, taxi or shuttle for the last 70 km.
Intercity coaches run from Boston to Portland and some continue toward South Paris, which is about 10 km from Paris. Schedules are limited and the stop is not at the airport, so treat this as a plan-B route and confirm times directly with the operator. There is no ride-hailing guarantee in the Oxford Hills; if you arrive without a car, arrange your final leg in advance.
Once in Paris, a car is close to essential. The White Mountains, Grafton Notch and the lakes are all day trips by road, and village-to-village driving is the point of the region.
- Book the rental car before you fly; PWM inventory is small in summer and fall foliage season.
- Check whether your fare includes a carry-on if you fly basic economy into PWM or BOS.
- Arrive 90 minutes before departure at PWM, longer at BOS.
- Fill the tank near the airport to avoid rental refuelling charges.
What it costs
Figures are 2026 estimates and vary with season, advance booking and how many people travel together. A rental car usually beats a taxi for two or more people staying more than a night.
| Item | 2026 estimate |
|---|---|
| Rental car, per day | US$45–110 plus insurance, fuel and fees |
| Fuel, PWM to Paris round trip | About US$15–25 |
| Taxi or ride-hailing, PWM to Paris | US$90–150 |
| Shared shuttle, per person | US$40–90 |
| Amtrak Downeaster, Boston to Portland | US$10–30 |
| Coach, Boston to Portland | US$20–40 |
| Tolls, Boston to Paris | Under US$10 |
Tips
Late arrivals are the main trap: PWM is quiet after the last bank of flights, and rental desks may close before midnight. If your flight lands late, book a hotel near the airport and drive up the next morning.
Winter changes everything. Route 26 and the back roads ice up, storms can close passes, and a 70-minute drive can take two hours. Check the forecast and road conditions before setting out, and keep the tank above half.
Tipping follows US norms: 15–20% for taxis and ride-hailing, US$2–5 per bag for a porter. Tap water is drinkable everywhere in Maine.
- Save the drive for daylight if you are not used to rural roads.
- Download offline maps; cell coverage thins between towns.
- Keep a physical card for tolls and fuel pumps that reject foreign cards.
Questions people ask
How do I get from Paris airport to the city centre?
There is no airport in Paris, Maine. Fly into Portland International Jetport (PWM), about 70 km away, then drive 60–75 minutes by rental car, taxi or pre-booked shuttle. Boston Logan is a 3-hour drive alternative. No train or city bus serves this route.
How much is a taxi from Paris airport?
From Portland International Jetport to Paris, expect roughly US$90–150 (2026 estimate) for the 60–75 minute run. Ride-hailing coverage in the Oxford Hills is thin, so book a taxi or shuttle ahead rather than relying on an app at the kerb.
Is there a train from Paris airport?
No. Amtrak's Downeaster serves Portland, not Paris, Maine, and no rail line reaches the town. The closest rail option is Boston to Portland, then a 60–75 minute drive or shuttle for the last 70 km.
Do I need a car in Paris, Maine?
Yes for most trips. The White Mountains, Grafton Notch and the lakes are reached by road, and local buses are minimal. Without a car, stay in Portland and visit Paris as a day trip instead.
How long does it take to get from Boston to Paris, Maine?
About 3 hours by car via I-95 and I-495, with tolls. By coach, allow 2–3 hours to Portland or South Paris plus a local ride; by train, about 2.5 hours to Portland plus the final drive.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialPortland International Jetport (PWM)
- officialAmtrak Downeaster
- officialMaine Department of Transportation
- officialVisit Maine
- secondaryWikivoyage – Maine