Which place is cheaper, Alaska or Maine?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Maine or Alaska?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Maine and Alaska can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Maine or Alaska?
Maine
The U.S. state of Maine is situated in the northeastern most region of the country. While it is known for its rugged rocky coastline and maritime history, the state also has a landscape of rolling mountains carpeted in thick pine forests, with many peaceful lakes popular with visitors seeking a close to nature kind of getaway. The capital city is Augusta, though the most populous is Portland, which has much to offer in sightseeing attractions and activities.
Alaska
Alaska joined the United States of America as the 49th state. The US purchased the area from the Russian Empire in 1867 for just 7.2 million dollars (about two cents an acre). It became an organized territory in 1912 and a state in 1959. It is separated from the rest of the country by Canada and, although it is the largest state, it is the least densely populated and for many years had the lowest population. It covers an area equal to California, Texas and Montana combined and lies on the Arctic Circle. Many people consider Alaska to be the United State's "final frontier" because of its vast wilderness. It is also where you will find the highest point in North America.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska.
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Maine Prices
USA PricesAlaska Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMaine $241Alaska $280
The average daily cost (per person) in Maine is $241, while the average daily cost in Alaska is $280. 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 Maine and Alaska in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMaine $107Alaska $135
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMaine $214Alaska $270
Compare Hotels in Maine and Alaska
Looking for a hotel in Maine or Alaska? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Maine $43Alaska $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Maine
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Maine:
- Private Transfer from Portland Cruise Port to Portland city: $74
- Private Transfer from Portland city to Portland Cruise Port: $74
- Portland to Portland Jetport (PWM) - Departure Private Transfer: $86
- Private Transfer from Portland Port to Portland Jetport (PWM): $133
- Portland Jetport (PWM) to Portland - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $173
- Private Transfer from Bangor Airport(BGR) to Rockland Cruise Port: $205
- Private Transfer from Bangor city hotels to Rockland Cruise Port: $205
- Private Transfer from Rockland Cruise Port to Bangor Airport(BGR): $205
- Private Transfer from Rockland Cruise Port to Bangor City Hotels: $205
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alaska
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alaska:
- Whittier to Anchorage Shared Bus Transfer Service: $69
- Anchorage to Whittier Shared Bus Transfer Service: $69
- Seward to Anchorage Shared Bus Transfer Service: $75
- Anchorage to Seward Shared Bus Transfer Service: $75
- Seward to Anchorage Direct Transfer Tour: $79
- Anchorage to Seward Direct Transfer Tour: $79
- Whittier to Anchorage Direct Transfer Tour: $80
- Portage Glacier Express with Van Transfer from Anchorage: $123
- Private Transfer Alaska Anchorage Airport ANC to Anchorage City: $180
- Whittier to Anchorage Cruise Transfer & Wildlife Tour: $197
- Whittier to Anchorage Transfer on Sprinter Van: $199
- Whittier Cruise Transfer with Wildlife&Glacier tour to Anchorage: $199
Is it cheaper to fly into Maine or Alaska?
Prices for flights to both Alaska and Maine 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 dayMaine $85Alaska $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Maine
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Maine.
- Portland Explorer: Taste of Portland Food Tour: $130
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alaska
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alaska.
- Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre Experience: $95
- Aurora Viewing and Dinner: $120
- Anchorage Sightseeing and Food Tour - Available All Year Long!: $195
- Northern Lights Experience and Cabin Dinner: $200
- Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier Dinner Cruise from Seward: $228
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Maine $33Alaska $65
Tours and Activities in Maine
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Maine are as follows:
- Audio Guided Walking Tour from Old Port of Portland, Maine: $7.75
- Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour of Bar Harbor Acadia: $7.99
- Self Guided GPS Audio Driving Tour Acadia NP From Hulls Cove VC: $9.50
- Bar Harbor Self Guided Audio Walking Tour America’s Summer Empire: $9.75
- Portland Underground Railroad Self Guided Audio Walking Tour: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Portland’s Historic Old Port District: $9.99
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Portland by Wacky Walks: $10
- Portland Maine Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $12
- Acadia Mount Desert Island Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $13
- Historic Bar Harbor Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour Guide: $13
- Acadia National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Portland ME: $15
Tours and Activities in Alaska
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alaska are as follows:
- Anchorage Self-Guided Tour: Discover Glaciers & Alaska's Frontier: $1.16
- Anchorage to Denali Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $16
- Self Guided Driving Audio Tour: Anchorage to Seward: $17
- Self Guided Driving Audio Tour Anchorage to Homer: $20
- Anchorage–Homer Sterling Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $20
- Anchorage Trolley's 1-Hour City Tour: $25
- Kennecott Mill Town Tour: $36
- Alaska Road Trip: Anchorage, Seward, Homer & Denali Audio Tour: $40
- Self Guided Driving Audio Tour Alaska Bundle: $40
- Guided Walking Tour of Sitka | HISTORIC DOWNTOWN: $49
- Siberian Husky Kennel Tour in Fairbanks Alaska: $49
- Anchorage Trolley's Deluxe City Tour: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMaine $23Alaska $20
Sample the Local Flavors in Alaska
Also in Alaska, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Distillery Tour in the Heart of Anchorage: $25
- Haunted Pub Crawl: $75
- Ketchikan Pub Crawl: $79
- Denali Husky Sled Dog Experience & Local Brewery Visit: $130
- Craft Brews & Epic Views: Juneau's Brewery & Sightseeing Tour: $159
- Wilderness and Wine Tasting out of Anchorage: $239
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Maine and Alaska, we can see that Alaska is more expensive. And not only is Maine much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Maine would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Maine 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 Alaska would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alaska than you might in Maine.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Maine Expensive? and Is Alaska Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Maine or Alaska?
Maine has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Alaska. When comparing the sizes of Maine and Alaska, 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.
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.