Major city · United States
Bath, Maine
Give Bath one full day and one night: the Maine Maritime Museum plus a downtown walk. Two nights only if you add a beach or Popham day.
Bath is a small Kennebec River shipbuilding town of about 8,500 people, 40 minutes northeast of Portland by car. It is a working yard town, not a resort: one day covers the maritime museum, the historic downtown and the riverfront. It works best as a night on a coastal Maine drive, or as a base for Popham Beach and Reid State Park.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep, plus early Oct for foliage
- avoid Nov–Mar (cold, many seasonal businesses closed)
- Airports
- PWM · BOS
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Bath, Maine911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bath, Maine, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyBath is a low-crime small town and feels safe walking downtown in the evening.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPWM Portland International Jetport (About 45 min by car via US-1 and I-295; the usual arrival airport for Bath.).
- Getting aroundBath is a driving town.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$12–18
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum admission (Maine Maritime Museum)check$20–25
- Budget bedHostel or shared bunk, a night, per personUS$45
- Mid-range bedMotel or chain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
- High-end bedMotel or chain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$320
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$160 · High US$280
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PWM Portland International Jetport (About 45 min by car via US-1 and I-295; the usual arrival airport for Bath.) · BOS Boston Logan International (About 2 h 30 min by car; bus or train to Portland, then onward.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Feb
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Mar
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
Best*
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: Jun–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Bath, Maine: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
10 rd
Feb
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
9 rd
Mar
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
10 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Bath is a driving town. Downtown is walkable in 15 minutes end to end, but the maritime museum is about 1.5 km south of the centre and the beaches are 15–25 min by car. There is local bus service in the region; check current routes and times before relying on it. Parking downtown is free or cheap.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Popham Beach State Park
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive via ME-209 south through Phippsburg, about 25 min
Sandy beach at the mouth of the Kennebec; day-use fee per vehicle in season.
Reid State Park, Georgetown
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Drive via US-1 and ME-127, about 35 min
Rocky coves plus a long sand beach; quieter than Popham.
Brunswick and Bowdoin College
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Drive or regional bus south on US-1, about 20 min
Good rainy-day stop: museum, cafés, bigger grocery and pharmacy options.
Portland, Maine
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Drive I-295 south, about 40 min; bus also runs
Old Port, food and ferries; easy half-day or evening.
Freeport outlets and L.L.Bean
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive US-1 south, about 25 min
Shopping stop, not a sight; skip if you dislike outlet malls.
Wiscasset and Boothbay Harbor
goDoor to door: About 25–55 min
Drive US-1 north, 20–50 min
Lobster shacks and a harbour town; go early in summer to beat US-1 traffic.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown Bath (Washington St and Front St)
Walk to shops, restaurants and the river; inns and small hotels. Best for one night without a car.
Route 1 / Richardson St strip
Chain hotels with free parking at the north edge of town; 5–10 min drive to downtown.
West Bath and the peninsulas
Campgrounds and rentals toward Popham and Georgetown; you need a car for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–200 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or chain-hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$180 | US$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$160 | US$320 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$85 · check | US$85 |
| Popham Beach day-use fee per vehicle1 × US$12 · check | US$12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$63 |
| Trip total≈ US$345 per person per day, bed included | US$690 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax and tips excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Lobster rollCheaper at roadside shacks than downtown. | $22–32 |
| Diner breakfast | $12–18 |
| Museum admission (Maine Maritime Museum)check | $20–25 |
| Beach day-use fee per vehiclecheck | $10–15 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bath Iron Works is an active shipyard: no public tours, and some riverfront views are restricted.
- Many restaurants and inns close or cut hours from November to April; check before booking a winter night.
- Summer weekend lodging in the Bath–Brunswick area sells out; book weeks ahead.
- Popham Beach has strong currents and a shifting river mouth: swim near lifeguards only.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Bath, MaineBath, Maine
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Bath; consulates are in Boston, and national embassies are in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- PWM airport → downtown Bath, taxi or rideshare: about $70–100, 45 min (check)
- Portland → Bath, regional bus: about $10–20, 1 h (check)
- Downtown parking: free or under $2/h in most lots (check)
Say or show
- Where is the waterfront? — Where is the waterfront?
- Is this fresh local lobster? — Is this fresh local lobster?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is there parking here? — Is there parking here?
- How far is the beach? — How far is the beach?
- Thank you — Thank you
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bath, Maine. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep, plus early Oct for foliage · avoid Nov–Mar (cold, many seasonal businesses closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PWM: last shuttle and bus times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with anchors: downtown Washington St, the riverfront, and the maritime museum shipyard.
- Place pages with verified hours (Maine Maritime Museum, Chocolate Church Arts Center) and eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal closure fixtures so winter arrivals see what is actually open.
Sources
- officialCity of Bath, Maine
- officialMaine Maritime Museum
- officialMaine Office of Tourism
- secondaryWikivoyage: Bath (Maine), revision 5237955 (CC BY-SA 4.0)