Maine is an exciting destination known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.
How much does it cost to travel to Maine?
You should plan to spend around $241 per day on your vacation in Maine. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $85 on meals
- $43 on local transportation
- $214 on hotels
A one week trip to Maine for two people costs, on average, $3,374. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Is Maine expensive to visit?
Maine is a small yet captivating destination that lures visitors with differing travel styles, spending levels, and budgetary preferences. Affordable hotel choices are available, but luxury hotels also cater to the more affluent clientele, along with mid-range accommodations that are perfect for families and couples.
Maine can certainly rack up expenses, but there are strategies to minimize costs, including looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $110 per day, mid-range travelers spend $241 per day, and luxury travelers spend around $482 per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Maine.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Maine is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to many other destinations.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Maine Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Maine?
The average Maine trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Maine travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Maine cost?
Maine on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$46
|
$107
|
$214
|
|
Local Transportation1
|
$18
|
$43
|
$90
|
|
Food2
|
$36
|
$85
|
$178
|
|
Entertainment1
|
$14
|
$33
|
$72
|
|
Alcohol2
|
$5-14
|
$11-34
|
$25-76
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
To manage your travel budget, it's important to set realistic expectations. Many people think they can visit Maine on a cheap budget, but most don't enjoy the limitations of a tight shoestring budget. Consider how you like to travel. Do you enjoy hostels, resorts, hotels, or vacation rentals? Do you want to dine out and explore the major attractions? These decisions will determine your budget and itinerary.
What Defines a Budget Traveler?
You may believe you're traveling on a budget, but unless you're ready to give up some conveniences, you'll likely spend much more than the $110 daily average that backpackers get away with.
Younger budget travelers often stick to this low budget by staying in dorms, eating inexpensive meals, taking public transportation, and focusing on free activities and sights.
So, are you average?
If you're a couple or a family traveling for fun, you'll likely want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at popular restaurants, and visit the major museums and attractions which have entry fees. It's a common desire for visitors to Maine to experience the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. Most activities cost money, after all. Therefore, it's realistic to expect your actual daily budget to be closer to $241 per person, per day.
Seeking a Stylish Getaway from the Daily Routine?
If a complete vacation with all amenities and a higher level of service is what you want, expect to allocate around $482 per day. To stay in nicer hotels, dine at award-winning establishments, treat yourself to extravagant excursions, and hire taxis or private drivers to navigate the destination, a luxury budget will be necessary.
Accommodation Budget in Maine
The price of hotels in Maine can be quite surprising. Higher-end hotels offer more luxury and amenities, but with much higher price tags, especially during peak season. Off-season averages are around $, while peak season averages can reach $. Prices range from $ to $, but hostels are usually cheaper. Traveling during the low season and booking early are good ways to save money.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Maine for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $214. For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $107 per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Maine? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
If you plan your trip for the shoulder or low season and avoid , you'll enjoy reduced accommodation costs and fewer tourists.
Transportation Budget in Maine
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $43 per person, per day, on local transportation in Maine. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Maine is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$43
The two largest airports in Maine are the Portland International Jetport in Portland, and the Bangor International Airport in Bangor, both served daily by many major airlines. A few regional airports include the Augusta State Airport, Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport, Knox County Regional Airport, and the Northern Maine Regional Airport at Presque Isle, all served by Cape Air and Penair.
By car, Interstate 95 is the major highway running through Maine. U.S. Route 1 also starts in Fort Kent, Maine and runs all the way down to Florida.
By train, The Downeaster passenger train, operated by Amtrak, provides passenger service between Brunswick and Boston's North Station, with stops in Freeport, Portland, Old Orchard Beach, Saco, and Wells. The Downeaster makes five daily trips, two of which continue past Portland to Brunswick.
If you're using a car, make sure your hotel has convenient parking available.
Some of the standard transportation options and hotel transfers include:
- Private Transfer from Bangor Airport(BGR) to Rockland Cruise Port for $203 details
- Private Transfer from Bangor city hotels to Rockland Cruise Port for $203 details
- Private Transfer from Rockland Cruise Port to Bangor City Hotels for $204 details
How much does it cost to go to Maine? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Maine will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Maine
Tasting the local cuisine is a key reason for travel, so be sure to sample the unique dishes offered in the area.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Maine can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Maine is $85 per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$85
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Maine is around $85 ($85) per person, with previous travelers spending from $36 to $178. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Maine are as follows:
- Breakfast: $8 to $25
- Lunch: $13 to $34
- Dinner: $25 to $59
- Coffee: $7
- Fast Food or Street Food: $13
The state of Maine is very well known for three things: wild blueberries, clams, and lobster. This being said, one must not pass of the opportunity to dive into any meal in Maine prepared with these ingredients. Blueberry pies, jams, and jellies, clam chowder, lobster rolls, and whole lobsters enrobed in butter are just a few of the menu items one might come across during a visit. The seafood is as fresh as can be, almost always right off the boat that very day. Coastal cities and towns have many restaurants with breathtaking harbor views, some even al fresco with the breeze of the bay sweeping in. For the beer enthusiasts, Allagash Brewery is a Maine native open for tours and samplings, and as far as dessert goes, Gifford's Ice Cream is a Maine novelty, made the old-fashioned way-always served in generous portions.
Many hotels include breakfast in their pricing structure, while some charge additional fees for it. The quality and cost can vary significantly by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you decide whether to allocate more money. It might be worth paying for the delicious hotel buffet, or you could go to a local bakery or cafe that's less expensive.
Use a water bottle instead of splurging on drinks everywhere you go. It's a smart choice for the environment, too.
While planning your tour, it's essential to know which meals are included. You may find yourself paying for some meals, which can add to your travel budget.
If you're looking to experience the culinary culture in Maine, taking a food tour or cooking class is a terrific way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. Some of the best food-related activities here include:
- Portland Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour for $65 details
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Maine
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Maine typically cost an average of $33 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$33
Being a state with rich maritime history, Maine is known for its many lighthouses. From the scenic Portland Head light to Pemaquid Point light which is featured on the Maine State quarter, the jagged coast of Maine is lined with more than 60 lights, with a few more on the islands just offshore. One could occupy an entire road trip from Boston to Maine in pursuit of seeing each picturesque lighthouse, and learn much about the Maine's maritime history on the way. There are even boat tours dedicated to exploring the lights of the surrounding islands.
Beyond lighthouses, some of the best sights of the Maine coastline are all natural. Acadia National Park sits just offshore on Mount Desert Island, encompassing more than 47,000 acres woodland, rocky beaches and glacier-scoured granite peaks like Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the United States' East Coast. The park and the surrounding area are inhabited by wildlife like moose, bear, whales, and seabirds. Whether you wish to hike through and enjoy the scenery, or wish to keep a closer eye out for the critters of the region, Acadia National Park is a wonder draped in natural beauty.
Further inland, the Maine landscape features some of the most scenic lakes in the northeast, Moosehead Lake being the largest. This region of many lakes is popular for camping, fishing, and boating in a peaceful setting surrounded by rolling mountains. Moving on to western Maine, this landscape marks the edge of the Appalachian Mountain Range. Mount Katahdin, the largest mountain in Maine, sits as the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail in Baxter State Park.
In regards to activities, one cannot miss the opportunities for enjoying the outdoors in Maine. With Acadia National Park, the lakes region, and the Appalachian Trail, Maine consists of a landscape perfect for hiking, camping, fishing, and boating. Whether you want to sail the coastal waters amongst islands and seabirds, kayak on a peaceful lake amidst mountains, or hike through forests enveloped in the scent of pine, the great outdoors of Maine are vast and thriving.
In regards to culture, the state of Maine has been an inspiration to many local artists. In just about any city, you will find museums and galleries dedicated to the arts and Maine's history. If you wish to see local art in action, take a ferry to a place like Monhegan Island, where an artist colony has been situated for over a hundred years. Along the way you might even see wildlife like seals, seabirds, puffins, and whales.
Back to the mainland, the cities dotting the coast are hubs of shopping and sightseeing. Just about every location has a unique history of its own and is thriving with boutiques, specialty stores, great places to eat, landmarks, museums, and beautiful coastline scenery.
A nice way to explore destinations in Maine is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Guided RIB Boat Adventure of Casco Bay for $75 details
- Two Hour Lighthouse Bicycle Tour from South Portland-Mellow for $75 details
- Sunset Tour by Kayak on Sebago Lake Maine for $59 details
Nightlife Budget in Maine
Calculated from travelers like you
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The average person spends about $23 on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Maine per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$23
While nightlife can be a blast, skipping a few rounds can significantly lower your travel expenses.
Travel cost data last updated: Mar 2, 2025
Traveling in Maine
Maine Coastline
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.
While many look to the mainland for their visit, there is also merit in visiting the many islands of Maine located just off the coast. From artist colonies to bits of land overrun with wildlife like puffins and seals, the islands offer another kind of experience with the spray of the ocean always at your back.
The state of Maine is a place thriving with natural wonders, but also with cultural attractions like museums and galleries, shopping, dining, B&B's, historic towns, and lighthouses that are more than enough to occupy an extended visit.
Regions
The most populated areas of Maine are located along the shoreline, the inland taken over by smaller towns, mountains, lakes, and pine forests.
Bar Harbor is a historic town up-coast catering to visitors who wish to explore Acadia National Park. The streets are lined with specialty and shops and galleries, featuring handcrafted Maine items from jewelry to maple syrup, as well as the works of local artists. There is a selection of outdoor outfitters to gear people up for adventures in Acadia, as well as antique shops that draw visitors in with their many treasures. Once a thriving millionaire town comparable to that of Newport, Rhode Island, Bar Harbor is also home to many historic buildings that still stand today, giving the town a charm of another time and place.
Portland marks the most populated city of Maine, located further down-coast. It 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.
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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.