Should you visit Atlantic City or Portland, Maine?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Atlantic City and Portland, Maine. We’ll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget. So, let's dig into it.
Atlantic City
Atlantic City, on the southeastern coast of New Jersey, is a popular destination for gambling, partying, and generally having fun. The beach is lined with casinos, many with famous names, and there's a boardwalk that offers a diverse experience. Most people don't head to Atlantic City for the beaches - it's the casinos and partying that draws a crowd. This is a popular spot for bachelor and bachelorette parties, or anybody looking for an affordable place to gamble.
Portland, Maine
The largest city in the U.S. state of Maine, Portland has much to offer with its most visited areas being the historic Old Port and the Arts District. They are a mix of the old and new, with a historic feel of the waterfront port versus the contemporary culture of the local art scene. In addition to these popular locations, the Portland area is marked with historical landmarks and museums, places to shop, award-winning restaurants, and activities in areas just outside the city as well.
Which city is cheaper, Portland, Maine or Atlantic City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Atlantic City is $123, while the average daily cost in Portland, Maine is $154. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Atlantic City and Portland, Maine in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $116 for a double occupancy room in Atlantic City.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $92. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Portland, Maine the cost is $184 on average.
Food
The average traveler spends about $40 per day in Atlantic City for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
On average, meal and food prices in Portland, Maine cost around $39 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $16.
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Food
Meals for one day
Atlantic City $40
Portland, Maine $39
Typical Food prices in Portland, Maine
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Portland, Maine:
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Breakfast for 2
$17
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Dinner for 2
$30
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Atlantic City is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $32 per person, per day, on local transportation in Atlantic City.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $27 per day to get around in Portland, Maine.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Atlantic City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Atlantic City:
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Private Transfer: Atlantic City to JFK or Laguardia Airports:
$665
Is it cheaper to fly into Atlantic City or Portland, Maine?
Prices for flights to both Portland, Maine and Atlantic City change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Atlantic City typically cost an average of $35 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $31 per person, per day in Portland, Maine. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Tours and Activities in Portland, Maine
Here are a few actual costs in Portland, Maine for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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2.5-Hour History Tour with Sweet Treat:
$35
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City & Lighthouse Tour:
$45
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Guided Bike Tour Around The Peninsula:
$63
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Tasting Tour to Local Breweries:
$69
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Portland: Old Port Culinary Walking Tour:
$86
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Atlantic City may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $31 per day on alcoholic beverages.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Portland, Maine may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $19 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Atlantic City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Atlantic City:
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All Bets Are Off: Atlantic City Bar Crawl:
$12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Atlantic City and Portland, Maine, we can see that Portland, Maine is more expensive. And not only is Atlantic City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Atlantic City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Atlantic City and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Portland, Maine would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portland, Maine than you might in Atlantic City.
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