Should you visit Bar Harbor or Portland, Maine?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Bar Harbor and Portland, Maine can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
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.
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 Bar Harbor?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Bar Harbor is $128, while the average daily cost in Portland, Maine is $120. 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 Bar Harbor and Portland, Maine in more detail.
Accommodation
The average price for accommodation for two people in Bar Harbor is $164. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $104. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Portland, Maine the cost is $208 on average.
Food
Food in Bar Harbor costs travelers about $23 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
On average, meal and food prices in Portland, Maine cost around $15 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 $6.00.
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Food
Meals for one day
Bar Harbor $23
Portland, Maine $15
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
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 Bar Harbor is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $38 per person, per day, on local transportation in Bar Harbor.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Bar Harbor typically cost an average of $14 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Typical Entertainment prices in Bar Harbor
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bar Harbor are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Bar Harbor
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bar Harbor are as follows:
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Acadia National Park Self-Driving Audio Tour:
$2.50
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Historical Guided Walking Tour:
$35
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Premium Narrated Bus Tour of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park (3.5 Hours):
$65
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2-Hour Tall Ship Cruise from Bar Harbor:
$76
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Bar Harbor, Maine: Culinary Walking Tour with Tastings:
$85
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Savor Bar Harbor Culinary Walking Tour:
$109
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3 Hour: ACADIA NATIONAL PARK TOUR Cadillac Mountain, Sand Beach & Thunder Hole:
$590
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
When comparing the travel costs between Bar Harbor and Portland, Maine, 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.
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