background-img-buses-trains
chiku-desktop

Cheap bus tickets from Portland to Boston

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

chiku-mobile

Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:

Lowest Prices

We partner with the top bus & train carriers to bring you the best deals.

Best Travel Options

We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.

Quick & Easy Booking

Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.

Fast Customer Support

We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.

See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:

Download our free app!

Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Portland to Boston Bus Schedule

Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.
RentalCars logotypeRentalCars logotype
from$42.10

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Portland to Boston?

There are usually 18 daily train trips from Portland to Boston.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$42.14
Avg. Price
$53.83
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
21
Daily Trips
18
Duration
Duration
1h 59m
Duration
4h 9m

Bus from Portland to Boston: Journey Information

There are 27 intercity buses per day from Portland to Boston. Traveling by bus from Portland to Boston usually takes around 2 hours and 4 minutes, but the fastest Concord Coach Lines bus can make the trip in just one hour and 50 minutes.

Distance99 mi (159 km)
Shortest duration1h 50m
Cheapest price$36.47
Trips per day27
Most frequent serviceConcord Coach Lines
Bus lines2

Wander into savings: Get deals in your inbox!
newsletter-header1

Sign up to get the latest deals on bus & train tickets sent directly to you.

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Portland to Boston

(Based on 71 ratings and reviews)

4.8

4.0

JERONIMO

September 17, 2024- Visiting friends

Concord Coach Lines

Pros: Thanks. Cons: The price. Tips: Nice ride.

4.0

Noah

September 15, 2024- Visiting friends

Concord Coach Lines

Pros: On time and. Cons: I was not sent the ticket I had to call the concord coach lines and have them send it to me. Tips: If you don’t get your ticket call them.

5.0

Dianna

September 3, 2024- Visiting friends

Concord Coach Lines

Pros: On time safe drive Very nice driver. Cons: Not a thing. Tips: Sit and relax for a safe fast trip.

5.0

Ahmad Shakib

March 29, 2024- Business

Concord Coach Lines

Pros: Nothing. Cons: Everything is ok. Tips: No.

5.0

Brandon

January 24, 2024- Visiting family

Concord Coach Lines

Pros: The comfortability and the cleanliness! Cons: Nothing it’s perfect! Tips: Sit in the back for private long rides!

How much is a bus ticket from Portland to Boston?

Bus tickets for a trip from Portland to Boston cost $40.15 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price

Average bus ticket prices from Portland to Boston by travel date

$63$42$21DecDec

If you're planning to travel by bus from Portland to Boston in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $41 to $55. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on December 3, 2024.

If you’re looking to travel to Boston this week, bus tickets are available starting at $41.

Average bus ticket prices from Portland to Boston by month

$70$56$42$28$14JFMAMJJASOND
Traveling from Portland to Boston by bus will cost you about the same throughout the year. In general, bus ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $38 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

$70$56$42$28$143020100

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 27 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $4.24 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Portland to Boston?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Portland to Boston that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Concord Coach Lines usually offers more choice, with 30 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Concord Coach Lines301h 59m$40.71
Greyhound12h 30m$48.11
  • Book Concord Coach Lines from Portland to Boston from $38. There are 30 Concord Coach Lines schedules from Portland to Boston and you can expect on average to pay for a Concord Coach Lines ticket to Boston. In Portland, Concord Coach Lines departs to Boston from 100 Thompsons Pt Rd and no other station. In Boston, Concord Coach Lines arrives at South Station and 1 other station.

    An average trip on Concord Coach Lines from Portland to Boston takes 1 hours and 59 minutes , while the fastest available Concord Coach Lines trip will get you to Boston in 1 hours and 50 minutes .

    On weekends, Concord Coach Lines offers 29 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Boston.

  • Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 1 bus trips from Portland to Boston every day, with the average journey taking around 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Boston usually start from $36.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Portland to Boston

Three bus companies offer service between Portland, Maine, and Boston: Concord Coach Lines, Greyhound and Megabus.

Concord Coach Lines offers 21 daily trips, which is the most offered by a carrier. The average travel time on a Concord bus is 2 hours, with tickets costing an average of $26.

Greyhound offers 2 daily trips, at an average travel time of 2 hours and 20 minutes. A ticket through Greyhound is around $18, which is the cheapest of the bus companies covering this route.

Megabus offers 9 daily trips, at an average travel time of 1 hour and 57 minutes, the fastest of any bus company covering this route. A bus ticket through Megabus costs an average $18.

Yes, the Amtrak Downeaster travels between Portland and Boston. There are 5 daily routes to Boston from Portland, and tickets average about $24. (For comparison, bus tickets average $13.) Travel time on the Downeaster is about 2 hours and 32 minutes, with the first train of the day departing at 3:00 a.m. and the last train of the day departing at 6:00 p.m.
The best way to get from Portland to Boston is probably by bus. The average travel time for a bus is around 2 hours, which is actually faster than the Amtrak Downeaster, and tickets average $10 less per person. There are 33 buses that cover this route per day, all direct, meaning you have plenty of options to fit your schedule.

The bus takes an average of 2 hours and 4 minutes to cover the 159 kilometers from Portland to Boston. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 50 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Portland to Boston for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.

The first bus leaves at 3:00am and the last bus leaves at 8:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Portland to Boston, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 27 scheduled buses that travel from Portland to Boston every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Portland to Boston without transferring.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Portland, ME to Boston, MA; ticket prices start at $36.49.

City Information

Portland

Portland, ME - POR-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Portland, ME - POR-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Portland, ME - POR-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Portland is Maine's largest city and, because of that, the main transportation hub in the state. From Portland, travelers can easily reach destinations such as Boston, Albany, and even Gainesville, Texas, by a combination of buses, trains, and ferries. And there’s plenty to do in the city, even if you’re traveling solo.

Since its foundation in 1786, Portland has recovered from no less than four major fires, creating a fascinating blend of old and new. The dedicated Arts District around upper Congress Street has a smattering of important museum collections, including the Portland Museum of Art, the state's oldest public art institution.

The West End hosts the majority of Portland's historic buildings, creating an olde worlde feel. However, the presence of several well-regarded schools and colleges ensures Portland remains one of the most vibrant small cities in the U.S.

After several years of hardship, the Old Port district has once again become the center of the action. Its attractive cobblestone streets and 19th-century red-brick warehouses now contain a selection of on-trend cafes, bars, and boutique stores. At the same time, it's still possible to watch the time-honored tradition of fishermen unloading their lobster pots onto the foreshore.

East of the downtown area, you'll find Munjoy Hill. It's a district with strong Irish and Italian roots, making it one of the best places in Portland to enjoy the authentic cuisine of Italy. It’s no wonder we named Portland one of our top vacation destinations in Maine.

Boston

Boston is one of the oldest cities in the country, but it is kept young and fresh with the help of over 150,000 students who flock to the city’s prestigious universities every year. Beantown’s many sights and activities celebrate American history, prolific sports teams, and New England seafood. So let's spill the tea (into the harbor, if you will):

Boston's Freedom Trail is the best way to see the city on foot and visit some of the most iconic landmarks of the American Revolution: from Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution to the Old North Church and Faneuil Hall. The Freedom Trail officially begins in Boston Common, the oldest public park in the U.S. and a beautiful spot for walking, picnicking, or ice skating in the winter. Foodies will love tasting the Italian cuisine in the North End and the modern eateries of South End, while sports fans can tour Fenway Park, and art lovers can explore the expansive Museum of Fine Arts.

From Boston, travelers can easily get to the beachy summer destination of Cape Cod, or surrounding states like New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island. With four main train stations and several bus stops in the city, as well as Boston Logan Airport (which, by the way, has some excellent airport food), Boston is a central hub for travel throughout New England and beyond.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Portland?

100 Thompsons Pt Rd -{"city":"Portland","country":"US","postal":"04102","state":"ME","street1":"100 Thompsons Point"} - PORAMT-0

Image credit: Terry Ross

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: 100 Thompsons Pt Rd

The Portland Transportation Center is located at 100 Thompsons Pt Rd, about two miles from Portland's Old Port area. Concord Coach Lines buses and Amtrak's Downeaster trains en route to Boston or Brunswick stop at this station. Inside the station, you'll find plenty of seating, restrooms, vending machines, and information desks for each travel company. In addition, there is plenty of paid parking in front of the station available to passengers.

All bus stations in Portland:

  • 100 Thompsons Pt Rd

  • Park & Ride - 274 Marginal Way

Where does the bus arrive in Boston?

Boston, MA - South Station - BOSSST-0

Image credit: Tony Hisgett

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: South Station

South Station is the largest and busiest train station in Boston, and a major transportation hub for the greater New England area. South Station's 13 tracks are used by Amtrak, Acela, the MBTA commuter rail, and the MBTA subway system (a.k.a. the "T") with connections to the Boston Logan International Airport. You can also access intercity bus service in the adjacent South Station Bus Terminal. South Station's historic train terminal opened in 1899 right in downtown Boston, and is close to many points of interest like the Boston Common, the Freedom Trail, and the hip Seaport district. At the terminal, you'll find free WiFi, luggage storage, a 24-hour information booth, and 14 dining options, including that New England favorite, Dunkin'.

Bus stations in Boston:

  • South Station

  • Boston Logan Airport

  • Boston South Station - 700 Atlantic Avenue

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Boston by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Need a return trip from Boston to Portland?

Search Bus Tickets

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.

With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.