Which place is cheaper, Bar Harbor or Philadelphia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Philadelphia or Bar Harbor, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Philadelphia is a diverse, historic, and cultural city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.
Bar Harbor is a quaint, charming, and picturesque coastal town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and shopping.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Philadelphia. Although Philadelphia and Bar Harbor are popular destinations, Philadelphia has more sights and attractions for tourists. Philadelphia is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, historical sights, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Bar Harbor attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bar Harbor is more touristy than Philadelphia and is popular for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park. Philadelphia is famous for its diverse population, large number of universities, great restaurant and market scene, and its role in American history. It is also well known for The Liberty Bell.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bar Harbor and Philadelphia. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Philadelphia is terrific for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.
Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Philadelphia that are not to be missed. The city has a rich history with a number of museums and monuments. Popular sites around the city include the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the National Museum of Jewish American History.
Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.
Philadelphia is a well-known place for theatre. However, Bar Harbor is not a theatre destination.
Philadelphia attracts a wide-range of world-class performances. There are major Broadway shows as well as smaller venues. Head to The Avenue of the Arts along Broad Street for a popular stretch of theaters.
Bar Harbor is not a theatre destination.
Both Philadelphia and Bar Harbor offer a number of high quality restaurants to choose from.
Philadelphia has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It has grown into a well-recognized food destination. It's diversity of cultures and residents have influenced the restaurant scene and you'll find many great places to dine covering a number of international flavors. The city is famous for its Philly cheesesteak and roast pork sandwich. You can also grab some local favorites at Reading Terminal Market.
Dining out in Bar Harbor is an experience not to be missed. The town is famous for its Maine lobster, but there are also countless other types of fresh seafood available. You'll find waterfront restaurants with beautiful views and fresh ingredients.
Philadelphia is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.
Philadelphia offers plenty to do in the evening. The city's nightlife scene carries late into the evening with many rooftop and outdoor beer gardens. Most of the clubs and bars are found in the downtown area and you'll find places to dance, listen to live music, or sip a trendy cocktails.
Bar Harbor doesn't offer many options. It's a peaceful and sleepy town, so you wont find much in the way of nightlife.
Philadelphia is a well-known place for live music. However, Bar Harbor is not a live music destination.
The music scene in Philadelphia is very popular with diverse venues. The city's diverse music scene includes jazz, rock, and hip hop.
Bar Harbor is not a live music destination.
Bar Harbor is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Philadelphia is not a resort destination.
With a selection of resorts, Bar Harbor makes a nice vacation spot. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.
Philadelphia is not a resort destination.
Bar Harbor is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Philadelphia is not a beach destination.
Bar Harbor has a beach worth visiting. A nice beach is close by but do note that the sand is very shelly and there is a big difference between high and low tides.
Philadelphia is not a beach destination.
Philadelphia is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Bar Harbor does not have a historic old town.
Many visitors go to Philadelphia to see the historical old town. The Old City has a number of Colonial-era sites including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House.
Bar Harbor does not have a historic old town.
Bar Harbor is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Philadelphia is not a hiking destination.
Bar Harbor has hiking trails worth exploring. Nearby Acadia National Park has plenty of hiking options. There's also the Bar Harbor Shore Path that wanders along the coastline and offers beautiful views.
Philadelphia is not a hiking destination.
Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Philadelphia and Bar Harbor.
Philadelphia is well-known for its shopping. With all items tax-free, this city is a great place to shop. It has many boutique shops as well as name brand stores and shopping areas. For a local vibe, head to Reading Terminal Market.
Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Bar Harbor. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.
Philadelphia is a well-known place for its Christmas activities. However, Bar Harbor does not offer Christmas activities.
Philadelphia is an extremely popular place to visit during the Christmas season. There are a number of holiday events, light shows, and festivals during the holiday season.
Bar Harbor does not offer Christmas activities.
Philadelphia is a city with good options for its Christmas markets. However, Bar Harbor does not offer Christmas markets.
Philadelphia is a nice place to see Christmas markets. The city has its own German style Christmas market at Love Park and City Hall. It hosts over 80 vendors.
Bar Harbor does not offer Christmas markets.
Philadelphia is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.
Philadelphia is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has many museums and a fascinating history that is interesting to kids and adults alike. Popular activities include a zoo and Sesame Place. Kids also love the hands-on Please Touch Museum.
Bar Harbor is a family-friendly city. It is a small town with a lot of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. Whale watching, kayaking, and wildlife spotting are all fun activities for all ages.
Bar Harbor is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.
Bar Harbor makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It is a quaint coastal town that is perfect for a couple's getaway or a short honeymoon. There are romantic restaurants, scenic walks, and beautiful views that make this a wonderful retreat.
Philadelphia is a good city for couples to visit. Like many large cities, it is a fun place to explore in the evening as a couple. This is also a great foodie destination with great markets, food trucks, and diverse restaurants that reflect the city's diverse population.
Philadelphia is a city with good options for backpackers. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.
Philadelphia is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few good hostels for backpackers and budget travelers to choose from.
Bar Harbor is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's a small town with mostly high end accommodation so budget travelers and backpackers will struggle to find a place to stay.
Philadelphia is a well-known place for students. However, Bar Harbor is not popular with students.
Students come from all over to stay in Philadelphia. With its many universities and diverse population, this city is a great place for international students.
Bar Harbor is not popular with students.
Philadelphia is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for times when you don't have a car.
Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Philadelphia. The system includes a subway, trolleys, buses, and a commuter rail.
Public transit is mostly limited in Bar Harbor. There is a free shuttle bus that will help you get around town if needed.
Philadelphia is terrific for its walkability. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its high level of walkability.
It is easy to get around Philadelphia on foot. The Old City is particularly walkable, as is Avenue of the Arts, and Rittenhouse Square.
Bar Harbor is a very walkable city. The town is small enough that it's easily explored on foot.
For even more information, also check out Is Philadelphia Worth Visiting? and Is Bar Harbor Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Philadelphia and Bar Harbor. In our opinion, Philadelphia has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Philadelphia than Bar Harbor. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in Philadelphia than Bar Harbor. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Philadelphia, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Philadelphia than Bar Harbor. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Philadelphia that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Philadelphia than Bar Harbor if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Philadelphia.
When visiting Philadelphia, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
Bar Harbor is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
When visiting Philadelphia, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.
Bar Harbor is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.
Philadelphia, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Bar Harbor is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.
Philadelphia is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Bar Harbor is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Philadelphia is $188, while the average daily cost in Bar Harbor is $202. 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 Philadelphia and Bar Harbor in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Philadelphia 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.
Also for Philadelphia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Bar Harbor and Philadelphia 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.
For Philadelphia, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Philadelphia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some typical examples of dining costs in Bar Harbor are as follows:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Philadelphia's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Philadelphia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bar Harbor are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bar Harbor are as follows:
Also in Philadelphia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When comparing the travel costs between Philadelphia and Bar Harbor, 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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Philadelphia Expensive? and Is Bar Harbor Expensive?.
Philadelphia has a larger population, and is about 250 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Philadelphia and Bar Harbor, 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Philadelphia as well as Bar Harbor. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Philadelphia is generally a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Philadelphia average around 77°F (25°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).
Philadelphia receives a lot of rain in the summer. Philadelphia usually gets more rain in July than Bar Harbor. Philadelphia gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Bar Harbor and Philadelphia are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Philadelphia for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Philadelphia is a little warmer than Bar Harbor in the autumn. The daily temperature in Philadelphia averages around 56°F (14°C) in October, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).
In October, Philadelphia usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Philadelphia gets 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Bar Harbor and Philadelphia during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Philadelphia in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
Bar Harbor can be very cold during winter. Philadelphia can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Philadelphia is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the winter temperatures in Philadelphia in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 18°F (-8°C).
Philadelphia usually gets less rain in January than Bar Harbor. Philadelphia gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Philadelphia and Bar Harbor. Most visitors come to Philadelphia for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
In April, Philadelphia is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Philadelphia average around 52°F (11°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).
In April, Philadelphia usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Philadelphia gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Philadelphia | Bar Harbor | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 18°F (-8°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 20°F (-6°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
Mar | 42°F (6°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
Apr | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
May | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
Jun | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) |
Jul | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
Aug | 76°F (24°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 67°F (20°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) |
Sep | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
Oct | 56°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 37°F (3°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) |
Dec | 36°F (2°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 24°F (-5°C) | 4 inches (100 mm) |