Which place is cheaper, Halifax or Portland, Maine?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Portland, Maine or Halifax?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Portland, Maine or Halifax? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Portland, Maine or Halifax?
Portland, Maine
The largest city in the U.S. state of Maine, Portland has much to offer with its most visited areas being the historic Old Port and the Arts District. They are a mix of the old and new, with a historic feel of the waterfront port versus the contemporary culture of the local art scene. In addition to these popular locations, the Portland area is marked with historical landmarks and museums, places to shop, award-winning restaurants, and activities in areas just outside the city as well.
Halifax
The quaint and charming coastal town of Halifax, Nova Scotia has an interesting personality. While it caters to travelers from all over the world, it maintains the pace and lifestyle of a small town.
Steeped in maritime history, Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia, and one of the world's greatest natural harbors. This busy seaport serves as the economic and cultural hub of Eastern Canada.
When planning your trip keep in mind that this city has a climate like other coastal cities. Summers are nice with the occasional humidity. Winters are mild, but still full of snow and wind. The best time of year to visit is most certainly the fall.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPortland, Maine $192Halifax $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Portland, Maine is $192, while the average daily cost in Halifax is $114. 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 Portland, Maine and Halifax in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPortland, Maine $115Halifax $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPortland, Maine $230Halifax $130
Compare Hotels in Portland, Maine and Halifax
Looking for a hotel in Portland, Maine or Halifax? 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: Portland, Maine Hotel Prices and Halifax Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Portland, Maine $34Halifax $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halifax
Also for Halifax, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Peggy’s Cove Small-Group Tour with Transfers: $80
- Halifax Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
- Halifax Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Halifax hotels: $133
- Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Port-Arrival Transfer: $34
- Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ): Transfer to Halifax Port: $209
- Halifax Stanfield Airport(YHZ) to Halifax Port - Arrival Transfer: $34
- Transfer to/from Stanfield International Airport: $44
- Private Transfer from Halifax Stanfield Airport to Halifax: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Portland, Maine or Halifax?
Prices for flights to both Halifax and Portland, 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 dayPortland, Maine $48Halifax $31
Typical Food Prices in Portland, Maine
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Portland, Maine:
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Breakfast for 2$17
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Dinner for 2$30
Typical Food Prices in Halifax
For Halifax, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Bluenose II Restaurant$45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halifax
For Halifax, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Peggy's Cove Small Group Night Tour with Dinner: $160
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Portland, Maine $39Halifax $28
Tours and Activities in Portland, Maine
Here are a few actual costs in Portland, Maine for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hours | Portland, Maine Black History Walking Tour: $49
- 2 Hours | Portland, Maine Hidden Histories Walking Tour: $49
- A Walk Through Time Tour in Portland: $49
- Around The Peninsula Bike Tour: $79
- Audio Guided Walking Tour from Old Port of Portland, Maine: $6.75
- Casco Bay Half-Day Sea Kayak Tour: $75
- Central Coastal Maine Private Day Tour: $250
- Discover Portland City and Lighthouse Tour: $48
- Donut Tasting Walking Tour in Portland’s Old Port: $48
- Downtown Portland In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
- Downtown Portland, Maine City and Lighthouse Tour-2.5 hour Land Tour: $70
- Guided RIB Boat Adventure of Casco Bay: $75
Tours and Activities in Halifax
For Halifax, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discover the Halifax Explosion Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- Churches, Gardens, & Graveyards Smartphone Tour: $5.11
- Halifax Boardwalk and Seaport: Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Exlore Halifax with 3 Unique Smartphone Audio Walking Tours: $13
- Halifax self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt: $38
- From City and Peggy's Cove Sunset Guided Tour: $65
- City Segway Tour: $67
- Small-Group Tour with Citadel and Peggy's Cove: $94
- Small Group Walking Tour with Citadel & Museum: $102
- From Small Group Lunenberg Express Tour: $120
- Guided Harbourfront Food Walking Tour: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPortland, Maine $24Halifax $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Portland, Maine
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Portland, Maine:
- Old Port Brewery & Pub Walking Tour: $89
- Local Brewery & Spirits Bus Tour: $99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Portland, Maine and Halifax, we can see that Portland, Maine is more expensive. And not only is Halifax much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Halifax would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Halifax 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 Portland, Maine would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portland, Maine than you might in Halifax.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Portland, Maine Expensive? and Is Halifax Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Portland, Maine or Halifax?
Halifax has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Portland, Maine. When comparing the sizes of Portland, Maine and Halifax, 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.
When is the best time to visit Portland, Maine or Halifax?
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 Portland, Maine or Halifax in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Portland, Maine as well as Halifax. Many travelers come to Portland, Maine for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Portland, Maine is a little warmer than Halifax. Typically, the summer temperatures in Portland, Maine in July average around 69°F (20°C), and Halifax averages at about 18°C (64°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Halifax. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland, Maine this time of the year. In the summer, Portland, Maine often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Portland, Maine gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun.
Portland, Maine usually gets less rain in July than Halifax. Portland, Maine gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPortland, Maine 69°F (20°C)Halifax 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Portland, Maine or Halifax in the Autumn?
Both Halifax and Portland, Maine are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Portland, Maine in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Portland, Maine is generally around the same temperature as Halifax. Daily temperatures in Portland, Maine average around 49°F (9°C), and Halifax fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
Portland, Maine usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during autumn. Portland, Maine gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. In October, Portland, Maine usually receives less rain than Halifax. Portland, Maine gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPortland, Maine 49°F (9°C)Halifax 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Portland, Maine or Halifax in the Winter?
Both Halifax and Portland, Maine during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Portland, Maine for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Halifax can be very cold. Portland, Maine can be very cold during winter. Portland, Maine is cooler than Halifax in the winter. The daily temperature in Portland, Maine averages around 21°F (-6°C) in January, and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).
In the winter, Portland, Maine often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Portland, Maine gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun.
Halifax gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Portland, Maine usually gets less rain in January than Halifax. Portland, Maine gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPortland, Maine 21°F (-6°C)Halifax -4°C (24°F)
Should I visit Portland, Maine or Halifax in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Portland, Maine and Halifax. The spring months attract visitors to Portland, Maine because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
It's quite cold in Halifax in the spring. In the spring, Portland, Maine is much warmer than Halifax. Typically, the spring temperatures in Portland, Maine in April average around 43°F (6°C), and Halifax averages at about 4°C (39°F).
In Portland, Maine, it's very sunny this time of the year. Portland, Maine usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during spring. Portland, Maine gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.
Halifax receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Portland, Maine usually receives less rain than Halifax. Portland, Maine gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPortland, Maine 43°F (6°C)Halifax 4°C (39°F)
Typical Weather for Halifax and Portland, Maine
| Portland, Maine | Halifax | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°F (-6°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | -4°C (24°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 24°F (-5°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | -5°C (24°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| Mar | 33°F (1°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | -1°C (31°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 4°C (39°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 9°C (48°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 63°F (17°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 14°C (57°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jul | 69°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Aug | 67°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 18°C (65°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Sep | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 15°C (58°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Oct | 49°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 10°C (49°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Nov | 39°F (4°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) | 5°C (40°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°F (-3°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | -1°C (29°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
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.