Major city · United States
Portsmouth, New HampshirePortsmouth
Go for 2 nights on foot: Strawbery Banke, Market Square and the harbour fit one full day; add a beach or Kittery day if you have a car.
Portsmouth is a walkable colonial seaport on the Piscataqua river, 2 miles inland from the Atlantic, settled in 1623 and still the third-oldest city in the US. Downtown is small enough to cover on foot in a day; the wider Seacoast region — beaches, forts, the naval shipyard across the river in Maine — needs a car. Most travellers use it as a 2-night base between Boston and Portland.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, some sights closed)
- Airports
- PSM · MHT · PWM · BOS
- Nights
- 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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Portsmouth, New Hampshire911 ▾
- 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 Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 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
- SafetyA low-crime, walkable downtown; the main risks are winter ice on brick pavements, summer beach crowds and late-night drinking on the waterfront.
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.
- AirportcheckPSM Portsmouth International Airport at Pease (Small local field, limited routes; check current service.).
- Getting aroundDowntown is compact and best on foot; the Portsmouth Harbor Trail links the main historic points.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealDinner main, mid-range seafood restaurant$22–38
- Street or quick mealLunch main (chowder, sandwich)$12–20
- BeerDraught beer in a brewpub$7–10
- Museum or sight ticketStrawbery Banke adult admissioncheckabout $25
- Budget bedHostel or budget bed, a night, per personUS$55
- 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.
- Airports
- PSM Portsmouth International Airport at Pease (Small local field, limited routes; check current service.) · MHT Manchester-Boston Regional (About 1 h by car.) · PWM Portland International Jetport (About 1 h by car.) · BOS Boston Logan International (About 1 h by car in good traffic; about 1.5 h by train plus bus.)
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
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°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
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Portsmouth, New Hampshire: 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)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
10 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
9 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
10 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°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)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°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
Downtown is compact and best on foot; the Portsmouth Harbor Trail links the main historic points. COAST runs a free summer–fall trolley and local bus routes to Dover and Rochester. A car helps for beaches, forts and Kittery; I-95 gets congested on summer afternoons.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kittery, Maine (outlets and shipyard views)
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Drive over the Memorial Bridge, 5–10 min
Outlet shopping plus river views back to Portsmouth.
Hampton Beach
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive south on Route 1A, about 20 min
Busy boardwalk and sand; go early on summer weekends.
Isles of Shoals by boat
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min to the islands
Thomas Laighton cruises from Market St
Seasonal; book about a week ahead in summer.
Boston
goDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
C&J bus from the Transportation Center, or Amtrak Downeaster via Dover
Doable as a long day; easier as an onward leg.
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 / Market Square
Walk to Strawbery Banke, Prescott Park and the waterfront; book early in summer and fall.
Portsmouth Transportation Center area (Grafton Rd)
Cheaper chain hotels by I-95; 3 miles from downtown, no easy walk — taxi about $15–20.
Across the river in Kittery, Maine
Often cheaper rooms, 5–10 min drive to downtown Portsmouth.
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
- $90–140 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–250 excl. bed
- High
- $280+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 2 nights × US$220 | US$440 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$170 | US$680 |
| C&J bus Boston Logan → Portsmouth, one way2 × US$30 · check | US$60 |
| Taxi Transportation Center → downtown1 × US$18 · check | US$18 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$123 |
| Trip total≈ US$338 per person per day, bed included | US$1,351 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at the till, flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Lunch main (chowder, sandwich) | $12–20 |
| Dinner main, mid-range seafood restaurant | $22–38 |
| Draught beer in a brewpub | $7–10 |
| Strawbery Banke adult admissioncheck | about $25 |
| USS Albacore adult admissioncheck | about $5 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The bus station is 3 miles from downtown with no signed walking route and no Sunday buses — arrange a taxi.
- Summer beach traffic and I-95 congestion peak in the early afternoon.
- Some historic houses and museums close outside May–October: check dates before you go.
- Sales tax is added at the till; restaurant tipping is expected at 18–22%.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Portsmouth, New HampshirePortsmouth
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Portsmouth; nearest consulates-general are in Boston.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- C&J bus Boston → Portsmouth: about $30 one way, about 1 h 15 min (check)
- Taxi Transportation Center → downtown: $15–20
- COAST summer trolley: free (check season)
Say or show
- Where is Market Square? — Where is Market Square?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is this walkable? — Is this walkable?
US tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink.
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 Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 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: May–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, some sights closed) · month by month →
- 4 airports and 3 areas 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
- Airport-to-bed contract for PSM, MHT, PWM and BOS: last bus and train times, taxi fallback.
- Walking clusters: Market Square, Strawbery Banke and Prescott Park, the waterfront, Peirce Island.
- Place pages with verified hours for Strawbery Banke, the Albacore and the John Paul Jones House.
- Eat pages with last orders for downtown seafood and brewpub kitchens.
Sources
- officialCity of Portsmouth official site
- officialStrawbery Banke Museum
- officialCOAST bus
- officialC&J bus lines
- officialAmtrak Downeaster
- secondaryWikivoyage: Portsmouth (New Hampshire), revision 5300492 (CC BY-SA 4.0)