How to get to Maine

There are several ways you can travel to Maine, but how you get there largely depends on which state in America you're travelling from. If you're travelling within New England, from a neighbouring state like Vermont, New Hampshire or Massachusetts, then driving might be the best option and will give you more flexibility as you move between cities and landmarks.

However, if you're travelling from a state that's further away, flying is the quickest and most convenient way to get to Maine. Maine has three major international airports: Portland International Jetport (PWM) in the southern part of the state, Bangor International Airport (BGL) mid-state and Presque Isle International Airport (PQI) in the north.

Alternatively, you can also take a bus or a train to various destinations in Maine, with Portland being the most popular location to disembark.

Driving to Maine

Driving to Maine is a great option because it allows you to take in as much of Maine's natural beauty as possible as you make your way through the state. Driving will also allow greater flexibility when moving between cities and regions. Another perk of driving to Maine is that you'll be able to travel to locations that are 'off the beaten track' or ones that aren't as popular among tourists without having to rely on public transport or other rideshare options. 

The city of Portland is a great jumping-off point for most Maine adventures, but how long it takes you to get there depends on where in the United States you're coming from. Driving from Boston, Massachusetts, to Portland can be done in just over 2 hours, from Manchester, New Hampshire, in 1.5 hours and from Burlington, Vermont, in just under 4 hours. Some longer road trips include New York City to Portland (6 hours by car) and Columbus, Ohio to Portland (14 hours by car).

Driving isn't always the most efficient option, especially if you're short on time or coming from a state outside of the New England region... unless you want to go on an epic, cross-country road trip.

Road conditions

Reports have shown that Maine has the 4th best highways in the United States, making driving around quick and easy. While most major roads and highways in Maine are in good shape, keep in mind that the winters do get quite cold, so you'll want to be prepared for icy conditions if you're travelling between December and March.

Catching a flight to Maine 

Catching a flight to Maine is the most popular option for travelling into the state, with six commercial airports running services between other destinations in the country, as well as a handful of international flights. These six airports are located in different regions of Maine, so you should be able to easily fly into the city/area you'd like to explore.

Portland International Jetport (PWM) is the busiest in the state, receiving flights from all over the US, including cities like Boston, New York, Chicago and Dallas. Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (BHB) is the closest airport to Acadia National Park.

Taking public transport to Maine 

If you prefer not to drive or fly to Maine, there are several means of public transport that you can hop on to travel into and throughout the state.

Catching a bus to Maine is fairly straightforward, with companies like Concord Coach Lines and Greyhound offering services between neighbouring states and major Maine cities. Popular routes include travelling from New York City, Boston or New Hampshire to Maine.

The United States national train system, Amtrak, offers services in 46 states, making travelling between Maine and the state you're coming from easy and efficient. With routes that will take you to Bangor, Augusta, Brunswick and Portland (among others), arriving at your preferred region within the state is relatively simple and won't break the bank.

Read more about getting around Maine

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