Major city · United States
York, MaineYork
Give York 2 nights if you want beach plus the Nubble; 1 night is enough for the historic village and a lighthouse stop on the drive north.
York is a small coastal town in southern Maine split into York Village, York Harbor, York Beach and Cape Neddick, about 1 h 15 min by car from Boston on I-95. It works as a beach base in summer or a one-night stop on a coastal drive; most sights are outdoors and free, and the season runs roughly May to mid-October.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for beach weather; late May and Sep–mid Oct for fewer crowds
- avoid Nov–Mar (many seasonal businesses close), peak July–August weekends for traffic and prices
- Airports
- PWM · BOS · MHT · PSM
- 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 York, 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 York, 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
- SafetyYork is a low-crime small town and the main risks are practical: cold water and rip currents, ticks in long grass…
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; the closest larger airport).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical way to move between the villages; Route 1 and Route 1A link them.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Beerdraught in a bar / six-pack at a store$7–9$10–14
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry, Old York buildingsOne building; about $10 for all buildings.$5–10
- Budget bedHostel or campground bed, a night, per personUS$45
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$200
- High-end bedMotel 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
- PWM Portland International Jetport (About 45 min by car; the closest larger airport) · BOS Boston Logan International (About 1 h 15 min by car to York on I-95, traffic dependent) · MHT Manchester-Boston Regional (About 1 h by car) · PSM Portsmouth International at Pease (Small airport in New Hampshire, about 20 min away; limited flights)
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
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Mar
Avoid
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
Care
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Care
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
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Avoid: Nov–Mar. 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.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
York, 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
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
10 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
9 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
11 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)
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
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°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
A car is the practical way to move between the villages; Route 1 and Route 1A link them. In summer a seasonal trolley shuttle runs along Route 1A between Short Sands and Long Sands beaches. There is no train or bus into York itself: Amtrak's Downeaster stops at Wells, about 20 min north, and buses serve Portsmouth, NH, about 20 min south.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ogunquit
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive south on US-1, about 15 min
Marginal Way cliff walk and a compact beach centre; half a day.
Kittery
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive south on I-95 or US-1, about 15 min
Outlet shopping and seafood; pairs well with a rainy afternoon.
Wells, Maine
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Drive north on I-95 or US-1, about 20 min
Amtrak Downeaster stop if you are travelling without a car.
Kennebunkport
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Drive north on I-95 to US-9, about 35 min
Dock Square, Walker's Point and Cape Porpoise; a full half-day.
Portsmouth, NH
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Drive south on I-95, about 20 min
Market Square, Strawbery Banke and the harbour; good rainy-day option.
Door to door: 1.5–2 h
Drive south on I-95, about 1 h 15 min without traffic
Doable as a long day but traffic makes it a poor day trip in summer.
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.
York Beach (Short Sands and Long Sands)
Walk to sand, arcades and casual food; busiest and priciest in July–August.
York Harbor
Quieter, inns and a small harbour; good for couples, a short drive from the beaches.
York Village
Historic centre near the Old York museum buildings; limited lodging, most useful if you have a car.
Cape Neddick / Route 1
Motels and campgrounds along the highway; cheapest beds, you drive everywhere.
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
- $90–150 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–260 excl. bed
- High
- $260+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 2 nights × US$200 | US$400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$170 | US$680 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$85 | US$85 |
| Fuel, about 60 km of local driving1 × US$8 | US$8 |
| Beach parking, one day1 × US$20 | US$20 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$122 |
| Trip total≈ US$336 per person per day, bed included | US$1,345 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax is added at checkout in Maine. Flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Lobster rollMarket price varies by season. | $22–35 |
| Fried seafood plate | $18–30 |
| Hot dog at a roadside shack | $3–5 |
| Saltwater taffy, small box | $6–12 |
| Beer, draught in a bar / six-pack at a store | $7–9 / $10–14 |
| Museum entry, Old York buildingsOne building; about $10 for all buildings. | $5–10 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer weekend traffic on I-95 and Route 1 backs up; arrive before mid-morning or after 6 pm.
- Many restaurants, motels and attractions are seasonal and close from late October to May: check before booking.
- Beach parking fills early on hot days and some lots require a town permit or a paid day rate.
- Ocean water in Maine stays cold even in August; rip currents are possible on exposed surf days.
- Ticks are present in woods and tall grass from spring to autumn; check yourself after walks.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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York, MaineYork
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Maine; most countries have embassies in Washington, DC, and consulates in Boston.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Seasonal beach trolley, one way: about $0.50–3
- Taxi or rideshare, York Beach → York Village: $15–25 (check)
- Amtrak Downeaster, Wells → Boston North Station: about $25–40 (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the beach parking? — Where is the beach parking?
- 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% 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 York, 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 for beach weather; late May and Sep–mid Oct for fewer crowds · avoid Nov–Mar (many seasonal businesses close), peak July–August weekends for traffic and prices · month by month →
- 4 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PWM and BOS: last-mile drive times, seasonal trolley window, taxi and rideshare fallback.
- Four walking clusters with anchors: York Village museums, York Harbor, Short Sands, Long Sands and the Nubble.
- Place pages with verified opening seasons (Old York buildings, Nubble Light viewing area, beaches) and eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialTown of York, Maine
- officialOld York Historical Society
- officialAmtrak Downeaster
- officialPortland International Jetport
- secondaryWikivoyage: York (Maine), revision 5336219 (CC BY-SA 4.0)