United States

How to get from Boston to Portland (Maine)

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and practical tips.

⏱
FASTEST
2h
💶
From
19€
📍
Distance
158 km
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⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from Boston to Portland (Maine): Bus, about 2h, from €19. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 6, 2026): FlixBus, Greyhound; main departure point: Boston South Station.

Distance: 158 km. Data updated on .

One option to get from Boston to Portland (Maine)

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

Bus
2h
19 €
View
🚌 Departure from Boston
📍Most buses to Portland leave from South Station Bus Terminal in downtown Boston, a large hub that also serves trains. It has indoor waiting areas, ticket counters, restrooms and luggage storage. Always confirm the boarding point on your e-ticket, as some operators use other stops.
🚇South Station is on the MBTA Red Line and the Silver Line, which also connects directly to Logan Airport. From the city centre you can also walk, take the subway or use a taxi or ride-hailing service to reach the terminal.
⏰Departures run throughout the day, from early morning to the evening, with several services daily. Frequency varies by day and season, so check the booking page for current times and pick a departure with some margin.
💸 Transport from 19€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 2h
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 12go.asia

Companies selling this route on 12Go

Offers listed on 12Go on November 6, 2026 for a departure on November 27, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.

CompanyModeDeparts fromFromOffers
FlixBus Bus Boston South Station €19 1
Greyhound Bus Boston South Station €20 1
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Practical tips

💡
Bus is the sensible choice

This is a short coastal hop, so you will not lose a day on the road. There is no need to consider a flight: the bus is simple, direct and the most economical way to reach Maine.

💡
Check your pick-up point

Bus stops in the US are not always inside a station. Read your e-ticket carefully for the exact boarding address, and look it up on a map the day before so you head to the right place.

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Confirm the arrival stop too

Portland may have a different drop-off point from where you expect. Check the arrival location on your booking, and plan how you will reach your accommodation before you board.

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Allow a margin from the airport

If you arrive at Logan Airport, do not book a tight connection. Customs, baggage and the transfer into the city can take longer than planned, so choose a later departure for peace of mind.

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Book early and travel off-peak

Fares are usually lowest when booked ahead, and weekend afternoons and holidays fill up fast. Reserve online for your e-ticket and avoid peak departures if your plans are flexible.

The journey experience

Boston to Portland, Maine is one of the easiest trips in the Northeast to plan: it is a short hop up the coast, and the bus is the clear answer. You do not need to weigh up a flight or a long train ride here. The comparison table on this page shows the bus option with its duration, price range and frequency, so you can decide at a glance.

The bus is a comfortable, no-fuss way to travel. Coaches are generally equipped with reclining seats, onboard Wi-Fi and luggage storage, and the route runs along the I-95 corridor straight into Maine. Several well-known intercity operators serve this corridor, and booking online gives you an instant e-ticket on your phone, so there is nothing to print and no queue to join just to buy a ticket.

My main advice: check the exact departure point on your e-ticket before you leave. In the US, a bus may leave from a main station or from a different pick-up location, and the arrival point in Portland can differ from the departure one. If you land at Logan Airport, plan your connection to the city or station first, and leave a comfortable margin so you do not miss a departure. Book early for the best fares, and you can travel with confidence.

Frequently asked questions — Boston → Portland (Maine)

Why visit Portland (Maine)?

  • ✓ Stroll the cobblestone streets of the Old Port and watch fishing boats unload their daily catch
  • ✓ Climb the 227 steps of Portland Head Light, Maine's oldest lighthouse, in Cape Elizabeth
  • ✓ Feast on fresh lobster rolls and oysters at the Old Port's waterfront restaurants and shacks
  • ✓ Take a ferry from Casco Bay to Peaks Island for a bike ride along the rocky coast
  • ✓ Sample craft beers at the Industrial Way and Washington Avenue breweries in the East Bayside district
🌙
Recommended stay
2 to 3 nights — compact city, with lighthouses and islands within easy reach

When to visit Portland (Maine)?

HUMID CONTINENTAL CLIMATE

June to October — warm days, open ferries and outdoor dining, with spectacular foliage in autumn

Jan 😞
Feb 😞
Mar 😞
Apr 😐
May 😐
Jun 😊
Jul 😊
Aug 😊
Sep 😊
Oct 😊
Nov 😐
Dec 😞
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In Portland (Maine) — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Portland (Maine)
Compare the best rates available
via trip.com

What to do in Portland (Maine)?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

MUST-SEE
🏮
Old Port Cobblestone Streets
Wander the Old Port's brick-and-cobblestone lanes (Exchange, Fore, Wharf Streets) lined with Victorian buildings, indie shops and working wharves. Go early morning before 9am for quiet streets and good light. Free to explore; parking garages cost roughly 15€ per day, so walk from your hotel.
🗼
Portland Head Light at Cape Elizabeth
Maine's oldest lighthouse, built in 1791 at Fort Williams Park, is among the most photographed in America. The park is free to enter and open from dawn to dusk. The small museum costs around 5€. Arrive at sunrise or late afternoon to avoid tour buses and crowds.
🦞
Lobster Roll Tasting Crawl
Compare Maine's signature sandwich at Eventide Oyster Co. (brown-butter version on a steamed bun), Portland Lobster Company on the wharf or Highroller Lobster Co. Expect 22–30€ per roll. Eat a late lunch around 2pm to skip lines, and ask for market-price lobster by the pound for a cheaper meal.
⛴️
Casco Bay Islands Ferry Ride
Casco Bay Lines ferries leave from Commercial Street to Peaks, Great Diamond and Cliff Islands. Peaks Island is a 20-minute ride for about 9€ return. Rent a bike or golf cart on arrival and circle the island in under two hours. Check the last return sailing before setting off.
🍺
Craft Brewery Hopping
Portland has one of America's highest brewery densities per capita. Walk between Allagash (famed Belgian-style ales, free tours), Bissell Brothers and Foundation Brewing. A flight costs roughly 10–14€. Allagash tours book up fast on weekends, so reserve ahead or arrive right at opening.
🎨
Portland Museum of Art
Maine's largest art museum holds works by Winslow Homer, Andrew Wyeth and Marsden Hartley, and includes Homer's restored studio on the coast (separate tour). Admission is around 14€; entry is free on Friday evenings. Allow two hours, and check opening days as it closes on Mondays in off-season.
🌅
Eastern Promenade Sunset Walk
This 68-acre hillside park overlooks Casco Bay, with views toward the islands and the Fort Gorges ruins. Walk the Eastern Prom Trail down to the waterfront, about 3.5km round trip. Bring a picnic from a nearby market and arrive 45 minutes before sunset for the best spots. Free.
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Victoria Mansion Holiday Interiors
Built in the 1860s, this Italianate mansion preserves nearly all its original painted walls, furniture and décor, a rarity in America. Guided tours cost about 16€ and last around 45 minutes. It is especially atmospheric when decorated for Christmas, so book timed tickets online in advance for November and December.

How long to visit Portland (Maine)?

2 to 3 days

Plan 2 to 3 days. One day covers the Old Port, the Portland Head Light and a lobster roll, while a second lets you explore the food scene, breweries and the Arts District. With a third day, add a ferry to Casco Bay islands or a drive to Cape Elizabeth and Kennebunkport. Book restaurants and lodging ahead in July and August, and rent a car if you want to explore the coast.

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