A Travel Price Comparison for Maine Bangor vs. Bar Harbor for Food, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Bangor or Bar Harbor?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bangor and Bar Harbor can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Bangor

Bangor is a laid back, welcoming, and friendly town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a relaxed, quaint, and charming coastal town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and hiking.

Bangor and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
Pros
  • Nice resorts
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
  • Quaint atmosphere


Is there more to do in Bangor or Bar Harbor?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bar Harbor than Bangor, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bar Harbor is better known for its food, resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Bangor is more popular for its museums and nightlife. Bar Harbor is more touristy than Bangor and is known for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park. Also, Bar Harbor is famous for Acadia National Park. Bangor is well known for its history as a lumber town.

How is Bangor different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bar Harbor and Bangor. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bangor or Bar Harbor?

Bangor
Bar Harbor

Bangor is a town with good options for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Bangor is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a couple of museums around town that focus on culture and daily life in Maine.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.


Is the Food Better in Bangor or Bar Harbor? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bangor
Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Bar Harbor is an experience not to be missed. The town is famous for its Maine lobster, but there are also countless other types of fresh seafood available. You'll find waterfront restaurants with beautiful views and fresh ingredients.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bangor. For a small town, there are a range of dining options in the area such as seafood, international cuisine, and quick eats.

Is Bangor or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Bangor
Bar Harbor

Bangor is a moderate town for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

Most people don't head to Bangor specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There are breweries and bars with laid back vibes and a casual atmosphere.

Bar Harbor doesn't offer many options. It's a peaceful and sleepy town, so you wont find much in the way of nightlife.

Is Bangor or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Bangor
Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a coastal town with good options for its resorts. However, Bangor is not a resort destination.

Bar Harbor has a few great resort options. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.

Bangor is not a resort destination.


Is Bangor or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Bangor
Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a coastal town with good options for the beach. However, Bangor is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Bar Harbor. A nice beach is close by but do note that the sand is very shelly and there is a big difference between high and low tides.

Bangor is not a beach destination.

Is Bangor or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bangor
Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a coastal town with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Bangor is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Bar Harbor. Nearby Acadia National Park has plenty of hiking options. There's also the Bar Harbor Shore Path that wanders along the coastline and offers beautiful views.

Bangor is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bangor or Bar Harbor?

Bangor
Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Bar Harbor. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Bangor. Head downtown for the widest selection of locally own shops and boutiques.


Is Bangor or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Bangor
Bar Harbor

Both Bangor and Bar Harbor are notable to visit with kids.

Bangor is a family-friendly place to visit. You'll find a number of parks and walking trails nearby. There's also fruit picking and playgrounds to explore.

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly town. It is a small town with a lot of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. Whale watching, kayaking, and wildlife spotting are all fun activities for all ages.

Is Bangor or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Bangor
Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a well-known place for couples. However, Bangor is not a good town for romance.

Bar Harbor is a very popular place to visit for couples. It is a quaint coastal town that is perfect for a couple's getaway or a short honeymoon. There are romantic restaurants, scenic walks, and beautiful views that make this a wonderful retreat.

Bangor is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are local restaurants and several museums in town that couples will enjoy.

Is Bangor or Bar Harbor Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bangor
Bar Harbor

Both Bangor and Bar Harbor offer respectable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Bangor. There's a bus system, but visitors usually use their own car to get around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Bar Harbor. There is a free shuttle bus that will help you get around town if needed.


Is Bangor or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Bangor
Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

Bar Harbor is a very walkable destination. The town is small enough that it's easily explored on foot.

Bangor is somewhat walkable. The downtown is compact and easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Bangor Worth Visiting? and Is Bar Harbor Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Bangor?

How long in Bangor or Bar Harbor?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bangor and Bar Harbor. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bar Harbor than in Bangor. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Bangor, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bar Harbor.

Families should spend more time in Bar Harbor than Bangor. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bar Harbor, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bar Harbor than Bangor. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bar Harbor that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bangor than Bar Harbor if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bangor.


  • How many days in Bangor or Bar Harbor? Ideal Length of Stay
    Bangor 1-2 
    Bar Harbor 2-3

One day in Bangor or Bar Harbor?

With museums and food around the friendly town of Bangor, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bangor, one day is sufficent for most.

Bar Harbor might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bangor or Bar Harbor?

With food and shopping around the destination of Bangor, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Bar Harbor is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.


Five days in Bangor or Bar Harbor?

Bangor, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bar Harbor. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Bangor or Bar Harbor?

Bangor is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bar Harbor is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Bar Harbor or Bangor?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bangor is $197, while the average daily cost in Bar Harbor is $202. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Bangor and Bar Harbor in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bangor $114
    Bar Harbor $117
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bangor $228
    Bar Harbor $234
Compare Hotels in Bangor and Bar Harbor

Looking for a hotel in Bangor or Bar Harbor? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Bangor


Hotels in Bar Harbor


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Bangor Hotel Prices and Bar Harbor Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bangor $36
    Bar Harbor $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangor:

  • Private Transfer from Bangor Airport(BGR) to Rockland Cruise Port: $69
  • Private Transfer from Bangor city hotels to Rockland Cruise Port: $69

Is it cheaper to fly into Bangor or Bar Harbor?

Prices for flights to both Bar Harbor and Bangor 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Bangor $54
    Bar Harbor $57

Typical Food Prices in Bar Harbor

Some typical examples of dining costs in Bar Harbor are as follows:


  • West Street Cafe (for 4)
    $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bangor $45
    Bar Harbor $39
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangor

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bangor are as follows:


  • Children's Museum (for 4)
    $32

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bar Harbor

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bar Harbor are as follows:


  • Acadia National Park Entrance Fee
    $25
  • Sunset Cruise (for 4)
    $96

Tours and Activities in Bar Harbor

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bar Harbor are as follows:

  • Ocean Path: Acadia Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $12
  • Acadia Mount Desert Island Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $12
  • Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Acadia National Park: $13
  • Acadia's Ocean Path Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $13
  • Historic Bar Harbor Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour Guide: $13
  • Historic Self-Guided Audio Guide Tour: $15
  • Ultimate Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
  • Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour: $22
  • Acadia NP & Bar Harbor Self-Guided Driving and Walking Tour: $25
  • 90-minute Ghost Walking Tour in Bar Harbor: $30
  • Bar Harbor Walking Tour: $30
  • Self-Guided Driving & Walking Bundle of Maine Tours: $40

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bangor $23
    Bar Harbor $30


When comparing the travel costs between Bangor and Bar Harbor, we can see that Bar Harbor is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bangor Expensive? and Is Bar Harbor Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bangor or Bar Harbor?

Bangor has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Bangor and Bar Harbor, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Bangor or Bar Harbor?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bangor or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

Both Bar Harbor and Bangor are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Bangor because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year.

In the summer, Bangor is around the same temperature as Bar Harbor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bangor in July average around 69°F (21°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 69°F (21°C).

In July, Bangor usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bar Harbor. Bangor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bangor 69°F (21°C) 
    Bar Harbor 69°F (21°C)

Should I visit Bangor or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

Both Bar Harbor and Bangor during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Bangor this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Bangor is generally around the same temperature as Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Bangor average around 48°F (9°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

Bangor usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Bar Harbor. Bangor gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bangor 48°F (9°C) 
    Bar Harbor 48°F (9°C)

Should I visit Bangor or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bangor and Bar Harbor. Many travelers come to Bangor for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Bar Harbor can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Bangor. Bangor is around the same temperature as Bar Harbor in the winter. The daily temperature in Bangor averages around 18°F (-8°C) in January, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

In January, Bangor usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bar Harbor. Bangor gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bangor 18°F (-8°C) 
    Bar Harbor 18°F (-8°C)

Should I visit Bangor or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bangor as well as Bar Harbor. Many visitors come to Bangor in the spring for the small town charm. Also, most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Bangor is around the same temperature as Bar Harbor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bangor in April average around 43°F (6°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 43°F (6°C).

Bangor usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Bar Harbor. Bangor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bangor 43°F (6°C) 
    Bar Harbor 43°F (6°C)

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Bangor

Bangor Bar Harbor
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 18°F (-8°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 18°F (-8°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Feb 20°F (-6°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 20°F (-6°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 31°F (-1°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 31°F (-1°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Apr 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
May 54°F (12°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) 54°F (12°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Jun 64°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm) 64°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm)
Jul 69°F (21°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 69°F (21°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Aug 67°F (20°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm) 67°F (20°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm)
Sep 59°F (15°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 59°F (15°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Oct 48°F (9°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 48°F (9°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Nov 37°F (3°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm) 37°F (3°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm)
Dec 24°F (-5°C) 4 inches (100 mm) 24°F (-5°C) 4 inches (100 mm)