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Major city · United States

Portland, Maine

Go for 2–3 nights: walk the Old Port and Eastern Promenade, eat lobster rolls, take a Casco Bay ferry. Skip the car unless you want beaches and lighthouses.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Portland is a small peninsula city of about 67,000 on Casco Bay, roughly 161 km north of Boston. The Old Port and Arts District are compact and walkable; the draw is food, waterfront and islands rather than big sights. Two nights covers the city, three adds a lighthouse or beach day.

basic guide: no trip line yet
10 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Jun–Sep for warm weather and ferries; Sep–Oct for fewer crowds
avoid Jan–Mar (cold, ice, some seasonal closures)
Airports
PWM · BOS · PSM · MHT
Nights
2–3
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 ▾

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 Portland, Maine911 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Maine 211 (health and social services)211

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 Portland, Maine, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$3–6
  • Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, mid-rangeAdd 18–22% tip.$25–45 per person
  • BeerCraft beer, draught$7–10
  • Metro or bus rideMetro bus single ride$2 (check)
  • Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Portland Museum of Art)$18 adult (check)
  • Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personUS$45
  • Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomUS$220
  • High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomUS$380

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$170 · High US$320

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.

Old Port cobbled streetsLobster rolls and working waterfrontCasco Bay islands by ferryPortland Head Light at Cape ElizabethPortland Museum of Art
Airports
PWM Portland International Jetport (About 9 km (5.6 mi) / 5 mi west of downtown; taxi or rideshare to the Old Port in about 15–20 min.) · BOS Boston Logan International (About 170 km (106 mi) / 105 mi southwest; Amtrak Downeaster from North Station or Concord Coach Lines buses from the terminals.) · PSM Portsmouth International (New Hampshire) (About 88 km (55 mi) / 55 mi southwest.) · MHT Manchester (New Hampshire) (About 161 km (100 mi) / 100 mi southwest.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    0°C (32°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    2°C (36°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    6°C (43°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    12°C (54°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    18°C (64°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    15°C (59°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    9°C (48°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    3°C (37°F)

Best: Jun–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Portland, 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)

−9°C (16°F)

11 rd

Feb

2°C (36°F)

−8°C (18°F)

9 rd

Mar

6°C (43°F)

−3°C (27°F)

11 rd

Apr

12°C (54°F)

3°C (37°F)

11 rd

May

18°C (64°F)

8°C (46°F)

12 rd

Jun

23°C (73°F)

13°C (55°F)

11 rd

Jul

26°C (79°F)

17°C (63°F)

10 rd

Aug

26°C (79°F)

16°C (61°F)

9 rd

Sep

22°C (72°F)

12°C (54°F)

9 rd

Oct

15°C (59°F)

6°C (43°F)

10 rd

Nov

9°C (48°F)

1°C (34°F)

11 rd

Dec

3°C (37°F)

−5°C (23°F)

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

The peninsula is walkable: Old Port to the Eastern Promenade is about 25 min on foot. Greater Portland Metro buses cover the city and suburbs but stop early, so use taxis or Uber at night. A car helps for Cape Elizabeth, Freeport and the beaches; parking downtown is metered and tight.

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, not ride time

Cape Elizabeth and Portland Head Light

go

Door to door: About 45 min

Metro bus 21 to Fort Williams Park, or 15 min by car

Lighthouse, cliff paths and picnic tables; go early in summer for parking.

Freeport (L.L.Bean and outlets)

go

Door to door: About 1 h

Amtrak Downeaster to Freeport, about 30 min, then a 10–15 min walk to the shops

Shops open late; a half-day is enough unless you hike Wolfe's Neck.

Peaks Island by ferry

go

Door to door: About 45 min

Casco Bay Lines from the waterfront, about 20 min

Walk or rent a bike; the loop road takes 1–2 h.

Brunswick

caution

Door to door: About 1 h

Amtrak Downeaster, about 40 min

Small downtown and Bowdoin campus; combine with Freeport on one rail day.

Bostonovernight

Door to door: About 3 h

Amtrak Downeaster from the Portland Transportation Center, about 2 h 30 min

Too far for a comfortable day return; sleep in Boston.

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.

Old Port

Cobbled streets, bars and restaurants on the doorstep; noisiest at weekends. Walk to the waterfront.

Downtown Arts District / Congress St

Museum, galleries and cafés; 5–10 min walk to the Old Port.

Munjoy Hill / East End

Quieter residential streets near the Eastern Promenade and East End Beach; 15–20 min walk downtown.

West End

Mansions, the Western Promenade and Victoria Mansion; calm, 15 min walk to Congress St.

Airport / Maine Mall area

Chain hotels and free parking; only worth it with a car or an early flight.

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

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$90–140 excl. bed
Mid
$150–260 excl. bed
High
$280+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Mid-range double room1 × 2 nights × US$220US$440
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$170US$680
Airport taxi or rideshare, one way1 × US$35 · checkUS$35
Casco Bay Lines ferry, Peaks Island return2 × US$16 · checkUS$32
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20US$40
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$123
Trip total≈ US$338 per person per day, bed includedUS$1,350

2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$3–6
Lobster rollCheaper at a takeaway window than a sit-down restaurant.$20–35
Craft beer, draught$7–10
Sit-down dinner, mid-rangeAdd 18–22% tip.$25–45 per person
Taxi or Uber, Old Port to airportcheck$25–50
Metro bus single ride$2 (check)
Museum entry (Portland Museum of Art)$18 adult (check)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Portland is a low-crime US city by national standards; the real issues are winter ice, Old Port bar crowds after midnight and seasonal closures. Use 911 for emergencies.
  • Winter ice on pavements and the Eastern Promenade; bring grippy boots Dec–Mar.
  • Restaurant queues in Jul–Aug: book dinner or eat early.
  • Weekend bar crowds in the Old Port after midnight; watch your drink and your tab.
  • Metered parking and resident-only zones near the waterfront: read the signs.
  • Amtrak Downeaster and Concord Coach both leave from the Portland Transportation Center, 3.2 km (2 mi) west of downtown — allow transfer time.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Maine 211 (health and social services)
211

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Portland, MainePortland, Maine

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Embassy

No embassies in Portland; consulates-general are in Boston. US entry rules: see the United States visa and entry requirements page.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • PWM airport → Old Port, taxi or Uber: $25–50, about 15–20 min (check)
  • Amtrak Downeaster Portland → Boston: about $25 one way, 2 h 30 min (check)
  • Casco Bay Lines ferry to Peaks Island: about $8 each way, 20 min (check)

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you
  • The check, please — The check, please
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?

Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% 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 Portland, Maine. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Jun–Sep for warm weather and ferries; Sep–Oct for fewer crowds · avoid Jan–Mar (cold, ice, some seasonal closures) · month by month →
  2. 4 airports and 5 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for PWM: taxi and rideshare bands, last Metro bus, overnight rung.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Old Port, Arts District, Munjoy Hill and Eastern Promenade, West End.
  3. Place pages with verified hours and seasonal closures (Portland Observatory, Victoria Mansion, Maine Narrow Gauge) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Ferry and rail fixtures (Casco Bay Lines, Downeaster) so day-trip gates can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources