Which city is cheaper, Bar Harbor or Nantucket?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Nantucket vs. Bar Harbor for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Nantucket or Bar Harbor?
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 Nantucket and Bar Harbor can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Nantucket or Bar Harbor?
Nantucket
Nantucket is both an island and a town in Massachusetts that is famous for its beautiful homes, scenic harbours, and historic lighthouses. It's a famous New England destination and is a popular vacation spot for the area's rich and famous. Although it's beloved by CEOs and executives, there are still plenty of options for the more casual visitors as well.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNantucket $280Bar Harbor $161
The average daily cost (per person) in Nantucket is $280, while the average daily cost in Bar Harbor is $161. 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 Nantucket and Bar Harbor in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNantucket $189Bar Harbor $94
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNantucket $378Bar Harbor $188
Compare Hotels in Nantucket and Bar Harbor
Looking for a hotel in Nantucket or Bar Harbor? 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: Nantucket Hotel Prices and Bar Harbor Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nantucket $38Bar Harbor $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Nantucket or Bar Harbor?
Prices for flights to both Bar Harbor and Nantucket 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 dayNantucket $65Bar Harbor $45
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.Nantucket $27Bar Harbor $31
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:
- 2-Hour Tall Ship Cruise from Bar Harbor: $76
- 3 Hour: ACADIA NATIONAL PARK TOUR Cadillac Mountain, Sand Beach & Thunder Hole: $590
- Acadia National Park Self-Driving Audio Tour: $2.50
- Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour: $8.00
- Premium Narrated Bus Tour of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park (3.5 Hours): $65
- Savor Bar Harbor Culinary Walking Tour: $109
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNantucket $28Bar Harbor $24
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nantucket and Bar Harbor, we can see that Nantucket 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 Nantucket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nantucket than you might in Bar Harbor.
When is the best time to visit Nantucket or Bar Harbor?
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 Nantucket or Bar Harbor in the Summer?
Both Bar Harbor and Nantucket during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
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Nantucket is around the same temperature as Bar Harbor in the summer. The temperature in Nantucket is usually 68°F (20°C) in July, and Bar Harbor stays around 69°F (21°C).
Nantucket usually gets more rain in July than Bar Harbor. Nantucket gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNantucket 68°F (20°C)Bar Harbor 69°F (21°C)
Should I visit Nantucket or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nantucket and Bar Harbor. Also, most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
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In the autumn, Nantucket is a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nantucket in October are around 53°F (12°C), and Bar Harbor is about 48°F (9°C).
Nantucket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nantucket usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Nantucket gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNantucket 53°F (12°C)Bar Harbor 48°F (9°C)
Should I visit Nantucket or Bar Harbor in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Nantucket as well as Bar Harbor. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
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The weather in Bar Harbor can be very cold. Nantucket can be very cold during winter. In January, Nantucket is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Temperatures in Nantucket average around 31°F (-0°C), and Bar Harbor stays around 18°F (-8°C).
Nantucket receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nantucket usually gets more rain in January than Bar Harbor. Nantucket gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNantucket 31°F (-0°C)Bar Harbor 18°F (-8°C)
Should I visit Nantucket or Bar Harbor in the Spring?
Both Bar Harbor and Nantucket are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year.
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Nantucket is a little warmer than Bar Harbor in the spring. The temperature in Nantucket is usually 45°F (7°C) in April, and Bar Harbor stays around 43°F (6°C).
It's quite rainy in Nantucket. In April, Nantucket usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Nantucket gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNantucket 45°F (7°C)Bar Harbor 43°F (6°C)
Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Nantucket
| Nantucket | Bar Harbor | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 31°F (-0°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) | 18°F (-8°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Feb | 32°F (-0°C) | 4.6 inches (117 mm) | 20°F (-6°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 38°F (3°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
| Apr | 45°F (7°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Jun | 62°F (17°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) |
| Jul | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Aug | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 67°F (20°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) |
| Sep | 62°F (17°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Oct | 53°F (12°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 37°F (3°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) |
| Dec | 36°F (2°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) | 24°F (-5°C) | 4 inches (100 mm) |
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