A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Boston vs. Acadia National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Boston or Acadia National Park?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Boston and Acadia National Park. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Boston or Acadia National Park?

Boston

Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in New England. It is also the capital of the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the region. The city proper covers 48 square miles and has a population of more than 600,000. The Greater Boston area has 4.5 million people and is the tenth largest metropolitan area in the country.

Acadia National Park

Located in the U.S. state of Maine, Acadia National Park encompasses much of Mount Desert Island, including smaller islands just off the Atlantic Coast. Once inhabited by the Wabanaki people, the region was a hub for seasonal fishing, hunting, and gathering berries, clams, and other shellfish on the coast. Acadia officially became a National Park in 1919, though it wasn't named Acadia until 1929 in honor of the former French colony.

Which city is cheaper, Acadia National Park or Boston?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Boston is $203, while the average daily cost in Acadia National Park is $138. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Boston and Acadia National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Boston $132
    Acadia National Park $77
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Boston $264
    Acadia National Park $154
Compare Hotels in Boston and Acadia National Park

Looking for a hotel in Boston or Acadia National Park? 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 Boston


Hotels in Acadia National Park


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: Boston Hotel Prices and Acadia National Park Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Boston $28
    Acadia National Park $37
Typical Local Transportation prices in Boston

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:


  • Taxi
    $35
  • Subway Daily Pass
    $9.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:

  • Transfer in private vehicle from Boston City Downtown to Boston Airport (BOS): $69
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Boston Airport (BOS) to City Downtown: $69
  • Transfer from Boston Logan International Airport to Boston: $85
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Boston Airport: $30
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Boston Airport to Hotel: $30
  • Round trip transfer in private vehicle from Boston city -to Boston Airport (BOS): $138
  • Round trip Airport Transfer: Logan - Boston: $181
  • Private transfer: Boston to Boston Airport (BOS): $622
  • Private transfer: Boston Airport (BOS) to Boston: $622
  • Private transfer from or to BOS Boston, MA: $113
  • Private arrival OR departure transfer in Boston (hotel OR airport pick-up): $132
  • Private Transfer from Boston City to Boston (BOS) Airport: $117

Is it cheaper to fly into Boston or Acadia National Park?

Prices for flights to both Acadia National Park and Boston 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
    Boston $40
    Acadia National Park $36

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.

  • Boston's North End "Little Italy" Pizza, Cannoli, and Freedom Trail Walking Tour: $49
  • Boston's North End Small-Group Walking Food Tour: $71
  • Fenway Neighborhood Food Tour (Boston): $79
  • Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on Boston Harbor: $81
  • Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Boston North End: $103
  • Spirit of Boston Sunset Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $105
  • Boston Odyssey Dinner Cruise: $118
  • Lunch or Dinner Cruise on the Odyssey: $122
  • North End Neighborhood Food Tour: $150

Typical Food prices in Acadia National Park

For Acadia National Park, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for 2
    $32

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Boston $26
    Acadia National Park $27
Typical Entertainment prices in Boston

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


  • Two Tickets to Celtics Game
    $101
  • Duck Tour
    $32

Tours and Activities in Boston

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

  • 2-Day Trip Philadelphia City Tour from Boston: $519
  • 6-Day Economy East Coast Tour ( Boston Departure) ( BOAP6E): $448
  • 6-Day Economy East Coast Tour (Boston departure)(BO6E): $448
  • 6-Day Tour East Coast Tour ( Boston Departure) ( BOAP6D): $560
  • 6-Day Tour East Coast Tour (Boston Departure)(BO6): $560
  • 6-Day U.S East Coast Tour (Boston departure) BO6U: $560
  • 7-Days Tour US east coast and Canada tour (Boston Departure) (BO7C): $706
  • Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: Boston Harbor: $44
  • Beer Tour: $80
  • Best of Boston Tour - Private Safe Tour: $185
  • Boston Back Bay Tourist Scavenger Hunt: $36
  • Boston Chocolate Tours w/ Private Tour Option: $204

Tours and Activities in Acadia National Park

For Acadia National Park, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Bar Harbor, Maine: Culinary Walking Tour with Tastings: $129
  • Private Island Tour and Lobster Pound: $675

For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.


Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Boston $22
    Acadia National Park $8.67

Sample the Local Flavors in Boston

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:

  • Haunted Boston Ghost and Pub Walking Tour: $27
  • Historic Pub Crawl Tour along the Freedom Trail: $56
  • Sip of Boston Guided Brewery Tour: $90

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boston and Acadia National Park, we can see that Boston is more expensive. And not only is Acadia National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Acadia National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Acadia National Park 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston than you might in Acadia National Park.


When is the best time to visit Boston or Acadia National Park?

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 Boston or Acadia National Park in the Summer?

Both Acadia National Park and Boston during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Boston in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Boston is generally a little warmer than Acadia National Park. Temperatures in Boston average around 73°F (23°C), and Acadia National Park stays around 69°F (21°C).

Boston usually gets less rain in July than Acadia National Park. Boston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Acadia National Park receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Boston 73°F (23°C) 
    Acadia National Park 69°F (21°C)

Should I visit Boston or Acadia National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Boston and Acadia National Park. Most visitors come to Boston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Boston is a little warmer than Acadia National Park in the autumn. The temperature in Boston is usually 54°F (12°C) in October, and Acadia National Park stays around 48°F (9°C).

In October, Boston usually receives around the same amount of rain as Acadia National Park. Boston gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Acadia National Park receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Boston 54°F (12°C) 
    Acadia National Park 48°F (9°C)

Should I visit Boston or Acadia National Park in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Boston as well as Acadia National Park. The winter months attract visitors to Boston because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Acadia National Park in the winter. The weather in Boston can be very cold. In the winter, Boston is much warmer than Acadia National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Boston in January are around 29°F (-2°C), and Acadia National Park is about 18°F (-8°C).

Boston usually gets more rain in January than Acadia National Park. Boston gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Acadia National Park receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Boston 29°F (-2°C) 
    Acadia National Park 18°F (-8°C)

Should I visit Boston or Acadia National Park in the Spring?

Both Acadia National Park and Boston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Boston this time of year.

In April, Boston is generally a little warmer than Acadia National Park. Temperatures in Boston average around 48°F (9°C), and Acadia National Park stays around 43°F (6°C).

In April, Boston usually receives around the same amount of rain as Acadia National Park. Boston gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Acadia National Park receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Boston 48°F (9°C) 
    Acadia National Park 43°F (6°C)

Typical Weather for Acadia National Park and Boston

Boston Acadia National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 29°F (-2°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 18°F (-8°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Feb 30°F (-1°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 20°F (-6°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 38°F (4°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm) 31°F (-1°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Apr 48°F (9°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
May 58°F (15°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 54°F (12°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Jun 68°F (20°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 64°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm)
Jul 73°F (23°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 69°F (21°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Aug 72°F (22°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 67°F (20°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm)
Sep 64°F (18°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 59°F (15°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Oct 54°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 48°F (9°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Nov 45°F (7°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm) 37°F (3°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm)
Dec 33°F (1°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 24°F (-5°C) 4 inches (100 mm)


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Boston vs. Acadia National Park Travel Comparison

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