Should you visit Bar Harbor or Providence?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Bar Harbor and Providence 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.
Providence
Providence is the state capital and the largest city in Rhode Island. It's a fascinating city to visit with diverse neighborhoods, beautiful parks, and a rich history. Like much of New England, the winters are cold and snowy with milder summers. It's a great year round destination that has a beautiful setting whether it's covered in snow or in full bloom.
Which city is cheaper, Providence 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 Providence is $168. 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 Providence 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.
For a normal double-occupancy room in Providence, $182 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Providence, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $91, such as in a hostel.
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.
In Providence travelers spend around $38 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Bar Harbor $23
Providence $38
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Providence
For Providence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Downcity Providence Food Tour:
$74
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.
Providence's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $37 per person, per day on transportation in Providence.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Providence
Also for Providence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Arrival Transfer from Providence TF Green Airport PVD:
$36
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Private Departure Transfer to Providence TF Green Airport PVD:
$36
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Providence to T. F. Green State Airport (PVD) - Departure Private Transfer:
$72
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Private Chauffeur Transfer: Providence Hotels to Providence Airport (PVD):
$107
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Private Arrival Transfer: Providence Airport (PVD) to Providence Hotels:
$133
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Providence to Boston’s Logan International Airport - Departure Private Transfer:
$180
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New York’s JFK International Airport to Providence – Departure Private Transfer:
$467
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.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Providence can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $21 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
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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2-Hour Tall Ship Cruise from Bar Harbor:
$76
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3 Hour: ACADIA NATIONAL PARK TOUR Cadillac Mountain, Sand Beach & Thunder Hole:
$590
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Acadia National Park Self-Driving Audio Tour:
$2.50
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Bar Harbor, Maine: Culinary Walking Tour with Tastings:
$85
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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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Savor Bar Harbor Culinary Walking Tour:
$109
Tours and Activities in Providence
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Providence.
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Ultimate Providence Self-Driving Audio Tour:
$7.00
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Providence Scavenger Hunt: Providence Adventure:
$12
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Narrated Boat Tours:
$30
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Haunted Boat Tours:
$39
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Twilight River Cruises:
$45
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Boat Tour of Green Jacket Shoal:
$57
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Providence, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $11.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bar Harbor and Providence, we can see that Providence is more expensive. And not only is Bar Harbor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bar Harbor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bar Harbor 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 Providence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Providence than you might in Bar Harbor.
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