Major city · United States
ScarboroughScarborough, Maine
A half-day stop for Pine Point Beach and a meal, not a base: stay in Portland and drive 15 min south.
Scarborough is a coastal town 15 minutes south of Portland, best known for Pine Point Beach and a handful of chain hotels near the Maine Mall. Most travellers use it as a lunch stop or a cheaper sleep option when Portland is full. The town itself has no major sight that justifies a dedicated trip.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Aug (beach weather), Sep–Oct (fewer crowds, mild)
- avoid Nov–Apr (cold, many seasonal places closed)
- Airport
- PWM
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Scarborough911 ▾
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
- Scarborough Police Department (non-emergency)+1 207 883-6361
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 Scarborough, 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
- SafetyVery safe.
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 · +1 207 883-6361 Scarborough Police Department (non-emergency)
- 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 10 min by car; no direct public transit to Scarborough.).
- Getting aroundA car is essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a gas station or Dunkin'US$2–4
- Street or quick mealPizza slice at Pizza PluscheckUS$4–6
- BeerBeer at a barUS$5–8
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Uber/Lyft from Portland to ScarboroughcheckUS$20–30
- Budget bedVacation rental (cottage or apartment), a night, per roomUS$150
- Mid-range bedBudget chain hotel room (e.g. Fairfield Inn), a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedBudget chain hotel room (e.g. Fairfield Inn), a night, per roomUS$250
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
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 10 min by car; no direct public transit to Scarborough.)
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
Avoid
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
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°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–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Scarborough: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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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)
11 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°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
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°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
A car is essential. No bus or train serves Scarborough from Portland; ride-hailing (Uber/Lyft) costs about US$20–30 each way from Portland. Biking is possible on Route 77 but narrow shoulders.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 15–20 min
Car via I-95 N, about 15 min
Old Port, art museums, food scene.
Old Orchard Beach
goDoor to door: 10–15 min
Car via US-1 S, about 10 min
Amusement pier and 7-mile beach.
Door to door: 10–15 min
Car via ME-77 S, about 10 min
Portland Head Light and Fort Williams Park.
Door to door: 25–30 min
Car via I-95 N to Exit 22, about 25 min
LL Bean flagship store and outlet shopping.
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.
Near Maine Mall / I-95 Exit 42
Chain hotels (Candlewood Suites, Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn) within walking distance of a few chain restaurants and a Walmart.
Pine Point area
Seasonal cottages and a handful of B&Bs; quieter, but limited dining and no grocery within walking distance.
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
- US$60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- US$100–180 excl. bed
- High
- US$180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget chain hotel room (e.g. Fairfield Inn)1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Uber/Lyft from Portland to Scarborough, one way2 × US$25 · check | US$50 |
| Pizza Plus meal (pizza slice + drink)2 × US$12 · check | US$24 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$46 |
| Trip total≈ US$255 per person per day, bed included | US$510 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights and rental car excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Pizza slice at Pizza Pluscheck | US$4–6 |
| Coffee at a gas station or Dunkin' | US$2–4 |
| Beer at a bar | US$5–8 |
| Uber/Lyft from Portland to Scarboroughcheck | US$20–30 |
| Gas (per gallon) | US$3.50–4.50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Pine Point Beach has no lifeguard and no facilities: bring water and sunscreen.
- Hotels near the Maine Mall fill up during Portland events (July 4, fall foliage weekends) — book ahead.
- Many restaurants close by 21:00; late-night options are limited to fast food.Many restaurants close by 9:00 PM; late-night options are limited to fast food.
Emergency numbers
- Police, Fire, Ambulance
- 911
- Scarborough Police Department (non-emergency)
- +1 207 883-6361
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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ScarboroughScarborough, Maine
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
- Scarborough Police Department (non-emergency)+1 207 883-6361
Embassy
The nearest US embassy is in Ottawa, Canada. For consular services, use the US State Department website.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Portland Jetport → Scarborough, Uber: about US$20–30, 10–15 min (check)
- Scarborough → Old Orchard Beach, car: about 10 min via US-1 S
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (HELL-oh)
- Thank you — Thank you (THANK-yoo)
- How much? — How much? (HOW-much)
- Where is the beach? — Where is the beach? (WHAIR-iz-the-BEECH)
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 Scarborough. 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–Aug (beach weather), Sep–Oct (fewer crowds, mild) · avoid Nov–Apr (cold, many seasonal places closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Pine Point Beach and the Maine Mall area with seasonal hours and parking.
- Eat pages for Pizza Plus and other local spots with verified hours.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for PWM → Scarborough transfer.
Sources
Ask about Scarborough
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