Major city · United States
Bailey Island
Half-day or a single night: cross the granite crib bridge, eat lobster at Cook's, walk Giant Stairs. Not a base for longer stays.
Bailey Island is a quiet fishing island in Casco Bay, connected to the mainland by US Route 24 and a granite-slab crib bridge. Most visitors come for a few hours of lobster, rocky shoreline and the working harbour. One night is enough to slow down; more than that and you run out of things to do unless you fish or kayak.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Apr (many places closed, cold)
- Airport
- PWM
- Nights
- 1
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
Emergency numbers for Bailey Island911 ▾
- 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 Bailey Island, 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
- 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 drive; rental car recommended).
- Getting aroundCar or bicycle.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Budget bedBailey Island Motel double room, a night, per roomUS$120
- Mid-range bedBailey Island Motel double room, a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedBailey Island Motel double room, a night, per roomUS$200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$110 · 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 45 min drive; rental car recommended)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Feb
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Apr
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Bailey Island: 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
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
10 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
9 rd
Mar
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
11 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°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)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
11 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°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
Car or bicycle. The island is small (about 5 km end to end); walking works for the main sights. Casco Bay Lines ferry from Portland lands at the town landing.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Portland, Maine
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Casco Bay Lines ferry or drive via US Route 24 and I-295
Day trip for food, museums and Old Port.
Peaks Island
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Casco Bay Lines ferry from Portland
Bike or walk the island loop; combine with a Portland day.
Chebeague Island
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Casco Bay Lines ferry from Portland
Quieter than Bailey; good for a half-day walk.
Long Island, Maine
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Casco Bay Lines ferry from Portland
Beach and hiking trails.
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.
Bailey Island Motel
The only motel on the island; on Route 24 near the bridge.
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
- $50–80 excl. bed
- Mid
- $80–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Bailey Island Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110 | US$220 |
| Casco Bay Lines ferry, round trip from Portland2 × US$16 · check | US$32 |
| Lobster dinner at Cook's2 × US$30 · check | US$60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$46 |
| Trip total≈ US$254 per person per day, bed included | US$508 |
check
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Lobster roll (take-out)check | $15–22 |
| Whole lobster at Glen's (per lb)check | $5–8 |
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Casco Bay Lines ferry, one waycheck | $8 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Many restaurants and shops close by 8–9 PM, and some close entirely in winter.
- No ATM on the island; bring cash for small purchases.
- Cell service can be patchy; download offline maps.
- The bridge is narrow — drive slowly and watch for pedestrians.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Bailey IslandBailey Island
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Portland Jetport to Bailey Island by taxi/rideshare: about $60–80, 45 min (check)
- Casco Bay Lines ferry, Portland to Bailey Island: about $8 one way, 45 min (check)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much for a lobster roll? — How much for a lobster roll?
- Where is the ferry? — Where is the ferry?
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 Bailey Island. 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 · avoid Nov–Apr (many places closed, cold) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialCasco Bay Lines
- officialBailey Island Motel
- officialCook's Lobster House
- secondaryWikivoyage: Bailey Island, revision 4619672 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Bailey Island
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