Maine Guide:
Getting Here, Getting Around |
Annual Events |
Facts & Figures |
Resources & Links|
Virtual Visit
Maine may be in the northeasternmost corner of the United States, but that doesn't mean it's inaccessible. There are lots of ways to get here, and once you are in Maine, there are plenty of different ways to get around.
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Staff photo by Doug Jones
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A motorcoach stops by Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth. |
car | air | bus | boat | train
 BY CAR:
Many visitors to Maine enter at the New Hampshire border on Route 95. Just past York, this turns into the Maine Turnpike. The Turnpike goes to Portland, then continues along Route 495 through Gray, Lewiston to Gardiner. There it rejoins Route 95 and ends in Augusta. Route 95 continues through Bangor all the way to Houlton and the Canadian border.
Driving is still a good way to get into the remote areas of Maine, but remember that not all ferries to the islands take cars, and in winter, many towns and cities enforce parking bans.
Maine Turnpike Authority
Road Conditions: 1-800-675-7453
Web: www.maineturnpike.com
For a daily travel forecast, visit the Authority's page: Travel forecast
Driving distances to Portland from:
Boston: 111 miles
Hartford, Conn.: 201 miles
New York City: 328 miles
Washington, D.C.: 568 miles
Chicago: 1,053 miles
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BY AIR:
The two main airports are in Portland and Bangor, but New Hampshire's Manchester Airport is only an hour drive to Portland.
Portland International Jetport
1001 Westbrook St., Portland (Exit 7A on the Maine Turnpike).
Passenger airlines: American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, airNova, US Airways, United, TWA and Northwest.
Phone: (207) 774-7301. This is the automated phone line available 24 hours a day, 7 days week.
Web: www.portlandjetport.org
The Web site has information on arrivals and departures, updated every ten minutes.
FLY RIGHT
New security measures have transformed air travel in Maine and the United States. Here are some articles to help you navigate the Portland Jetport:
Learning to Fly:
Holiday travelers are being asked to follow new airport etiquette, and the payoff may mean shorter lines at the jetport. Also online: A quick guide to how to prepare
Boarding pass, ID required at jetport: Electronically issued "e-tickets," itineraries and vouchers will no longer be sufficient
Jetport adopts screening changes: Equipment to see or detect explosives in baggage sits in the jetport lobby, where passengers must leave bags.
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Augusta Airport
75 Airport Road, Augusta
Passenger airlines: Colgan Air/US Airways Express for flights to and from Boston
Phone: (207) 626-2306
Web: www.ci.augusta.me.us/service/city/airport
Bangor International Airport
287 Godfrey Boulevard, Bangor (Exit 46 or 47 on Interstate 95)
Passenger airlines: American Eagle, Continental, Delta, PanAm, US Airways, Finnair
Phone: (207) 947-0384
Web: www.flybangor.com
Northern Maine Regional Airport at Presque Isle
Airport Drive off Rt. 1, Presque Isle
Passenger airlines: US Airways Express, Continental
Phone: (207) 764-2550
Web: www.flypresqueisle.com
Manchester Airport
One Airport Road, Manchester, NH (Exit 2 off Interstate 293)
Passenger airlines: Air Canada, American Eagle, Continental, Delta, Delta Connection Comair, Metrojet, Northwest, Southwest, United, US Airways
Phone: (603) 624-6539
Web: www.flymanchester.com
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BY BUS:
Three major bus companies provide service to Maine's major cities.
Concord Trailways
Service from Boston to Portland, Bangor, Bar Harbor, coastal areas
Phone: 1-800-639-3317
Web: www.concordtrailways.com
Greyhound Bus Lines
Phone: 1-800-231-2222; Portland: (207) 772 6587
Web: www.greyhound.com
Vermont Transit
Boston to Portland, Bangor, Bar Harbor
Phone: (800) 552-8737
Web: www.vermonttransit.com
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BY BOAT:
You can reach the shores of Maine by ferry from Canada, on a cruise ship, or by sailing your own boat. If you sail your own boat, make sure you check in with harbor masters and comply with all US Coast Guard regulations.
The Cat
High-speed ferry from Bar Harbor, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Web: www.catferry.com
| CRUISING AROUND
Photo by Fred J. Field |
The Regal Empress and a lobster boat cruise through Portland Harbor in July 2001. The cruise ship industry is choosing ports of call on this side of the Atlantic Ocean more this year than last year. Read "Winds of change blow fair for city" to find out why and what this means for the state. "Cruising the home coast" looks at how Portland isn't the only port to benefit from increased cruise ship traffic.
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BY TRAIN:
Amtrak service from Boston to Portland leaves from North Station in Boston and stops in Saco, Wells and Old Orchard Beach. Click here for maps, rates, station maps, recent articles from the Portland Press Herald and more information. Click here for information about train travel within the state.
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car | air | bus | boat and ferry | train
BY CAR:
It may look close on the map, but keep in mind that some Maine backcountry roads are narrow and make for slow going. There is, as yet, no east-west highway, so while Route 95 takes you north and south with ease, and Route 1 gives you the scenic (and slow) route, it can take longer to "get there from here." Allow for some traffic tie-ups in July and August. Buckle up: Maine law requires all passengers to wear seatbelts.
Maine Turnpike Authority
Road Conditions: 1-800-675-7453
Web: www.maineturnpike.com
Driving distances from Portland to:
Augusta: 57 miles
Bangor: 129 miles
Bar Harbor: 162 miles
Bethel: 66 miles
Millinocket: 199 miles
Rangeley: 118 miles
Caribou: 299 miles
Fort Kent: 313 miles
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BY AIR:
There are 36 airports in Maine, from the large international airports in Portland and Bangor to the smaller municipal airports in all the major towns. Small airports often have charter air services and many provide transportation to the islands or offer scenic flights.
The Office of Passenger Transportation
The state maintains a list of Maine airports. You can get information, an airport map, phone numbers and air navigation information. online.
Web: www.state.me.us/mdot/opt/air/air1d.htm
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BY BUS:
Though public transportation might seem difficult to find, there are many regional transportation programs and you can travel to and from all major cities easily by bus. Chambers of commerce will have all local transportation information as well.
The Office of Passenger Transportation
The state maintains a list of public and fixed route transportation providers by county. You can get links and information online.
Web: www.state.me.us/mdot/opt/transit/transit.htm
Rideshare
A program of the Greater Portland Council of Governments, Rideshare has information about bus services in southern Maine.
Phone: 1-800-280-RIDE
Web: www.ridesharemaine.org
Portland Explorer
The Explorer is a shuttle service that connects Portland's transportation options. From 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily, it leaves the Portland Jetport on the hour and the Casco Bay Ferry terminal on the half hour. One-way fare is $3 and a day pass is $7. It stops at:
- Portland Jetport
- Embassy Suites hotel
- Hilton Garden Inn
- Portland Transportation Center (Terminal for Concord Trailways and the Downeaster)
- Vermont Transit
- Scotia Prince terminal
- Casco Bay Ferry terminal
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BY BOAT AND FERRY:
Whether you need transportation or merely a pleasant ride on the ocean, boats and ferries are one of the best ways to get around in Maine. There are many different companies, both private and state-owned, that offer a network of services throughout the coastal regions of Maine and even into Canada. Prices, schedules and the need for reservations vary throughout the season, so it is best to check ahead of time. Many boats have vehicle capacity, while and most also welcome pets and bicycles with their accompanying passengers.
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MaineToday.com photo by Ellen Kanner
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The view from the ferry to Swans Island from Bass Harbor, on Mount Desert Island
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Casco Bay Lines (Greater Portland Region)
A busy commuter line for islanders working in Portland and beyond, these trademark yellow-striped boats maintain an active schedule, sailing 365 days a year and carrying over 800,000 passengers during that time. Routes run from Portland to Chebeague Island, Cliff Island, Diamond Cove, Great Diamond, Little Diamond, Long Island and Peaks Island . Twice daily, the mailboat run makes its 3-hour loop around the islands; this route is also offered as a scenic passenger cruise. In the warmer months, Casco Bay Lines runs sunset, moonlight, music and nature cruises, as well as trips to Bailey Island.
Phone: For schedule information, rates and reservations: (207) 774-7871
Web: Casco Bay Lines
Portland Express Water Taxi
A private service providing trips to the Casco Bay Islands.
Phone: For schedule information, rates and reservations: (207) 415-8493
Web: Web site
Chebeague Transportation Company (Greater Portland Region)
This park and sail operation allows for passenger transport only, from Cousins Island inYarmouth to Chebeague Island in Casco Bay. A free shuttle takes passengers from two parking lots (one off Route 1 in Cumberland; the other on Cousins Island) to the docks for this quick, 15-minute trip. There is a fee for parking.
Phone: For schedule information, rates and reservations: (207) 846-3700
Web: Chebeague Transportation Company
Monhegan Island (Midcoast Region)
Three ferry companies provide service to Monhegan.
From Boothbay Harbor:
Balmy Days Cruises (85 minutes)
Phone: (207) 633-2284 or (800) 298-2284
Web: Balmy Days Cruises
From Port Clyde:
Monhegan Boat Line (50-70 minutes)
Phone: (207) 372-8848
Web: Monhegan Boat Line
From New Harbor:
Hardy Boat Cruises
Phone: (800) 278-3346
Web: Hardy Boat Cruises
Maine State Ferry Service (Downeast/Acadia Region)
With service throughout Penobscot Bay (between the Midcoast and Downeast Regions), these ferries run year-round between multiple islands:
From Rockland to/from Vinalhaven (15 miles; 1 hr. and 15 min.
From Rockland to/from North Haven (12.5 miles; 1 hr. and 10 min.)
From Rockland to/from Matinicus (23 miles; 2 hrs. and 15 min.)
From Lincolnville to/from Islesboro (3 miles; 20 min.)
From Bass Harbor, Mount Desert Island, to/from Swans Island (6 miles; 40 min.)
From Bass Harbor, Mount Desert Island, to/from Frenchboro (8.25 miles; 50 min.)
Phone: For schedule information, rates and reservations: 1-800-491-4883
Web: Maine State Ferry Service
To Isle au Haut (Downeast/Acadia Region)
Year-round passenger and freight service (45 min.) runs between Stonington and Isle au Haut, across Penobscot Bay. From June 11 to September 8 (2001) additional trips from Stonington to Duck Harbor (Acadia National Park) will take passengers only — no bicycles, canoes or kayaks. In the summertime (June-September), narrated cruises around Penobscot Bay leave from the Isle au Haut pier in Stonington.
Isle au Haut Boat Company
Phone: (207) 367-6516
Web: Isle au Haut Boat Company
To the Cranberry Isles (Downeast/Acadia Region)
Several different companies offer passenger service to the various locations within Cranberry Isles.
Beal and Bunker Mail Boat and Ferry Service
Leaves from the Northeast Harbor Town Dock and serves Great Cranberry, Little Cranberry and Sutton's Island, year-round.
Phone: (207) 244-3575
The Cranberry Cove Boating Company
Departs from the Southwest Harbor Upper Town Dock and heads to Great Cranberry, Little Cranberry and Sutton's Island, daily from June to Labor Day; check off-season schedule. Bicycles are allowed onboard.
Phone: (207) 244-5882 or (207) 460-3977
The Delight Water Taxi and Custom Cruises
Service between Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor, Seal Harbor and the Cranberry Isles, from May to October, by reservation. There is a six passenger maximum.
Phone: (207) 244-5724
Great Harbor Tours, Ltd.
Operates as a tour boat and a water taxi, with service to Great Cranberry and Little Cranberry Isle and Northeast Harbor, from Southwest Harbor.
Phone: cell (207) 460-5200; home (207) 244-9160
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BY TRAIN:
Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad, One Depot Square, Unity; www.belfastrailroad.com; 800-392-5500. Excursions leave from Belfast and Unity on a regular schedule throughout the summer and fall; chartered trips are available. The Belfast train is a self-propelled Budd rail diesel car. The Unity train is a 1913 Swedish steam locomotive called the "Spirit of Unity."
Feature story: Train trip melds well with beauty of Belfast
Touted as the "sixth oldest continually operating railroad in the country," this historic railroad is led by a 1913 Swedish steam locomotive.
Boothbay RailwayVillage, Route 27 near Boothbay Harbor; www.railwayvillage.org; 207-633-4727; daily from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. The coal-fired steam train travels through a re-created historical village. Attractions include an antique-car museum.
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum, 58 Fore St., Portland; mngrr.rails.net; 207-828- 0814. This non-profit, all-volunteer organization is dedicated to preserving Maine narrow gauge railroad equipment. It operates the former Edaville Railroad engines.
Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum, Sheepscot Station, Alna; www.wwfry. org; 207-882-4193. The station is 4.5 miles north of Wiscasset on Route 218, then left at Cross Road.
This organization is dedicated to preserving and restoring the WW&F Railway, a 2-foot gauge railroad that operated between Wiscasset and Albion between 1894 and 1933. It features museum exhibits, train rides, and opportunities for volunteers to assist with restoration projects.
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