Which place is cheaper, North Conway or Bar Harbor?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bar Harbor or North Conway?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bar Harbor and North Conway 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.
Where Should I go: Bar Harbor or North Conway?
Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor is a seafront town located on Mount Desert Island just off the coast of Maine. The Wabanaki Indians who seasonally fished, hunted and gathered berries, clams, and other shellfish in the area, called it the ‘clam-gathering' or ‘clambake' place. Eventually the area was settled by Europeans who established industries in fishing, lumbering, shipbuilding, and agriculture. Its maritime scenery even attracted artists of the Hudson River School like Thomas Cole, and the area soon became a seasonal resort for the affluent, comparable to that of Newport, Rhode Island.
North Conway
North Conway is a small town in New Hampshire in the Mount Washington Valley (MWV). The entire valley is a popular vacation area year-round due to the multiple ski resorts and summer activities including amusement parks, hiking, outdoor activities, and more.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBar Harbor $202North Conway $224
The average daily cost (per person) in Bar Harbor is $202, while the average daily cost in North Conway is $224. 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 Bar Harbor and North Conway in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBar Harbor $117North Conway $125
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBar Harbor $234North Conway $250
Compare Hotels in Bar Harbor and North Conway
Looking for a hotel in Bar Harbor or North Conway? 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.
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: Bar Harbor Hotel Prices and North Conway Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bar Harbor $35North Conway $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Bar Harbor or North Conway?
Prices for flights to both North Conway and Bar Harbor 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
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Food Meals for one dayBar Harbor $57North Conway $64
Typical Food Prices in Bar Harbor
Some typical examples of dining costs in Bar Harbor are as follows:
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West Street Cafe (for 4)$70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bar Harbor $39North Conway $38
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bar Harbor
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bar Harbor are as follows:
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Acadia National Park Entrance Fee$25
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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:
- 3 Hour Private Tour: Insiders tour of Acadia National Park: $675
- 4 Hour Private Tour: Acadia, Fjord, Gardens & Mansions: $775
- 6 Hour Private Tour: Ultimate Acadia Tour with Lobster Lunch: $1,000
- 90-minute Ghost Walking Tour in Bar Harbor: $30
- Acadia Full Day Small Group Tour: $299
- Acadia Full-Day Private Bike & Hike Tour: $1,295
- Acadia Mount Desert Island Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Acadia NP & Bar Harbor Self-Guided Driving and Walking Tour: $21
- Acadia NP: Half-Day Private Tour with Cadillac Mountain: $995
- Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour: $25
- Acadia National Park Private Bike Tour: $1,095
- Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour: $85
Tours and Activities in North Conway
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for North Conway.
- Kancamagus Highway: Audio Driving Tour: $12
- Kancamagus Scenic Byway Audio Driving Tour Guide: $17
- 3-Hour Private Sightseeing Outdoor Escape Game in Littleton, NH: $39
- Meet the Winemakers - Seven Birches Winery Tour: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBar Harbor $30North Conway $33
When comparing the travel costs between Bar Harbor and North Conway, we can see that North Conway 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 Bar Harbor Expensive? and Is North Conway Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bar Harbor or North Conway?
Bar Harbor has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of North Conway. When comparing the sizes of Bar Harbor and North Conway, 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 Bar Harbor or North Conway?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Bar Harbor or North Conway in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Bar Harbor as well as North Conway. Many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Bar Harbor is around the same temperature as North Conway. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bar Harbor in July average around 69°F (21°C), and North Conway averages at about 69°F (20°C).
Bar Harbor usually gets more rain in July than North Conway. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while North Conway receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBar Harbor 69°F (21°C)North Conway 69°F (20°C)
Should I visit Bar Harbor or North Conway in the Autumn?
Both North Conway and Bar Harbor are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Bar Harbor is generally around the same temperature as North Conway. Daily temperatures in Bar Harbor average around 48°F (9°C), and North Conway fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).
In October, Bar Harbor usually receives around the same amount of rain as North Conway. Bar Harbor gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while North Conway receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBar Harbor 48°F (9°C)North Conway 49°F (9°C)
Should I visit Bar Harbor or North Conway in the Winter?
Both North Conway and Bar Harbor during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in North Conway can be very cold. Bar Harbor can be very cold during winter. Bar Harbor is cooler than North Conway in the winter. The daily temperature in Bar Harbor averages around 18°F (-8°C) in January, and North Conway fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).
Bar Harbor usually gets less rain in January than North Conway. Bar Harbor gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while North Conway receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBar Harbor 18°F (-8°C)North Conway 21°F (-6°C)
Should I visit Bar Harbor or North Conway in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bar Harbor and North Conway. The spring months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Bar Harbor is around the same temperature as North Conway. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bar Harbor in April average around 43°F (6°C), and North Conway averages at about 43°F (6°C).
In April, Bar Harbor usually receives around the same amount of rain as North Conway. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while North Conway receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBar Harbor 43°F (6°C)North Conway 43°F (6°C)
Typical Weather for North Conway and Bar Harbor
| Bar Harbor | North Conway | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°F (-8°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 21°F (-6°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Feb | 20°F (-6°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 24°F (-5°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Mar | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Apr | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Jun | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Jul | 69°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 69°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Aug | 67°F (20°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) | 67°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Sep | 59°F (15°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Oct | 48°F (9°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 49°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Nov | 37°F (3°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) | 39°F (4°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) |
| Dec | 24°F (-5°C) | 4 inches (100 mm) | 27°F (-3°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.