A Travel Price Comparison for Maine Bangor vs. Portland, Maine for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Bangor or Portland, Maine?

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 Portland, Maine 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 friendly, laid back, and welcoming town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine is a laid-back, scenic, and picturesque coastal town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Bangor and Portland, Maine: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bangor or Portland, Maine?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Portland, Maine. Although Bangor and Portland, Maine are popular destinations, Portland, Maine has more sights and attractions for tourists. Portland, Maine is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Bangor attracts visitors for its museums and small town charm. Portland, Maine is more touristy than Bangor and is known for its seafood restaurants, scenic lighthouse, and coastal walks. It is also well known for The Portland Head Light. Bangor is famous for its history as a lumber town.

How is Bangor different from Portland, Maine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine?

Bangor is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bangor. There are a couple of museums around town that focus on culture and daily life in Maine.

Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bangor or Portland, Maine? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Bangor and Portland, Maine can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

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

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Portland, Maine. The town has grown into a foodie destination that takes advantage of its waterfront setting. Many restaurants make use of the fresh seafood with lobster rolls and oysters on the half shell being popular. You'll also find a lot of dishes that use haddock and whole lobsters.

Is Bangor or Portland, Maine Better for Nightlife?

Portland, Maine is a coastal town with good options for its evening party scene. However, Bangor is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Portland, Maine. The city has many microbreweries, wine bars, taverns, and pubs. You'll find many places concentrated in the Old Port, which has a charming and fun atmosphere.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Bangor. There are breweries and bars with laid back vibes and a casual atmosphere.

Is Bangor or Portland, Maine Better for Beaches?

Portland, Maine is a well-known place for the beach. However, Bangor is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Portland, Maine attract visitors from all over. It has many sandy and calm beaches. The water may be too cold to swim, but the beaches are perfect for flying a kite or hanging out with family.

Bangor is not a beach destination.

Is Bangor or Portland, Maine Better for Hiking?

Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine. In addition to bike trails, there are several good hikes in the area.

Bangor is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bangor or Portland, Maine?

Both Bangor and Portland, Maine are nice shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Bangor to go shopping. Head downtown for the widest selection of locally own shops and boutiques.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Portland, Maine. The town has many nice local boutiques to explore. Head downtown for the best local venues and the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Is Bangor or Portland, Maine Better for Christmas?

Portland, Maine is a moderate coastal town for its Christmas activities. However, Bangor does not offer Christmas activities.

Many enjoy the Christmas activities while in Portland, Maine. Watch the Christmas tree lighting or listen to the symphony at Christmas time.

Bangor does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Bangor or Portland, Maine Better for Families?

Both Bangor and Portland, Maine are nice 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.

Portland, Maine is a family-friendly town. It is a charming town with a number of kid-friendly museums, walks, and waterfront activities. You can visit the Portland Observatory, Bug Light Park, or grab ice cream in the Old Port. There are also children's museums such as the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine.

Is Bangor or Portland, Maine Better for Couples?

Portland, Maine is a coastal town with good options for couples. However, Bangor is not a good town for romance.

Portland, Maine is a good coastal town for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy the beautiful waterfront setting, the fine dining restaurants, and everything that the city has to offer. Head to the Old Port for romantic restaurants and a great atmosphere or catch a show at Portland Stage.

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 Portland, Maine Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bangor is a town with a few options for its public transit. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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 quite limited in Portland, Maine. There is a very basic bus system but you really must have a car to explore the city.

Is Bangor or Portland, Maine a more walkable city?

Bangor is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for its walkability.

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

Portland, Maine is generally not a very walkable town. Downtown is very walkable but if you want to travel to other areas you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Bangor Worth Visiting? and Is Portland, Maine Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Portland, Maine or Bangor?

How long in Bangor or Portland, Maine?

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

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

One day in Bangor or Portland, Maine?

The laid back destination of Bangor offers shopping and museums. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Portland, Maine. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bangor or Portland, Maine?

The town of Bangor offers museums and food. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine?

Bangor is a great place to explore. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Portland, Maine. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Portland, Maine?

Many people enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting Bangor. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the picturesque destination of Portland, Maine. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Bangor and Portland, Maine, we can see that Bangor 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 Portland, Maine Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bangor or Portland, Maine?

Portland, Maine has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Bangor. When comparing the sizes of Bangor and Portland, Maine, 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 Portland, Maine?

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 Portland, Maine in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bangor and Portland, Maine. Many travelers come to Bangor for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Portland, Maine in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Bangor is around the same temperature as Portland, Maine in the summer. The daily temperature in Bangor averages around 69°F (21°C) in July, and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).

In July, Bangor usually receives more rain than Portland, Maine. Bangor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bangor or Portland, Maine in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bangor as well as Portland, Maine. Many visitors come to Bangor in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, most visitors come to Portland, Maine for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Bangor is around the same temperature as Portland, Maine. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bangor in October average around 48°F (9°C), and Portland, Maine averages at about 49°F (9°C).

Bangor usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Portland, Maine. Bangor gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bangor or Portland, Maine in the Winter?

Both Portland, Maine and Bangor are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bangor for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Portland, Maine because of the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Portland, Maine can be very cold. Bangor can be very cold during winter. In January, Bangor is generally cooler than Portland, Maine. Daily temperatures in Bangor average around 18°F (-8°C), and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).

In January, Bangor usually receives less rain than Portland, Maine. Bangor gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bangor or Portland, Maine in the Spring?

Both Portland, Maine and Bangor during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Bangor because of the small town charm. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Portland, Maine this time of year.

Bangor is around the same temperature as Portland, Maine in the spring. The daily temperature in Bangor averages around 43°F (6°C) in April, and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

Bangor usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Portland, Maine. Bangor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Portland, Maine and Bangor