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There are usually 30 daily bus trips from Boston to Portland.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$41.03 | Avg. Price$49.52 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips30 | Daily Trips6 |
Duration | Duration2h 4m | Duration2h 40m |
There are usually 5 daily train trips available from Boston to Portland. Traveling by train from Boston to Portland usually takes 2 hours and 32 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 2 hours and 30 minutes.
| Distance | 99 mi (159 km) |
| Fastest train | 2h 30m |
| Lowest price | $35.29 |
| Trains per day | 5 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Downeaster |
| Train lines | 2 |
Average score for trains from Boston to Portland
(Based on 27 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: I had two seats all for me and it was very comfy. Tips: Bring your own food if you can! (For saving purposes mostly).
5.0
Pros: The views & other passengers. Cons: The space.
5.0
Pros: Everything. Cons: Nothing. Tips: Best train ride.
5.0
Pros: Free drink. Cons: Excellent service. Tips: No.
Over the past month, a train ticket between Boston and Portland cost $47.28, on average. This price makes taking the train a budget-friendly option to get to Portland. Booking your trip at least 21 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $0.22 more.
If you're planning a train trip from Boston to Portland in the upcoming month, you'll be happy to know that ticket prices are expected to remain stable. You can book your trip for any day within the next four weeks and expect to pay around $46.
Since ticket prices on this route stay pretty consistent, you don’t need to book way in advance. However, we recommend buying your train ticket to Portland at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure to prevent any unpleasant surprises, like last-minute surges in price or sold-out tickets.
2 train services operate from Boston to Portland. Amtrak Downeaster usually has more trains scheduled, with 4 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 2h 38m | $48.01 |
| Amtrak Downeaster | 4 | 2h 31m | $47.67 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 2 Amtrak trains from Boston to Portland every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $35.
The Amtrak Downeaster provides passenger rail service in New England along the northeastern seaboard. The line is especially popular in the summer months for coastal getaways, and in the fall to see the incredible foliage along the train route. Choose between Coach Class or Business Class, the latter offering more comfortable seating, complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, and a more flexible ticket cancellation policy. All passengers are treated to free onboard WiFi and access to the cafe car to buy a snack or coffee. The Downeaster runs 4 trips from Boston to Portland each day, and with ticket prices starting at just $46, this is one of the most affordable trains in the United States.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Boston to Portland on Thursday. Tickets for Thursday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Monday. Monday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Boston at 8:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 10:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 5 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Boston to Portland.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Portland to 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.
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
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.
Image credit: Marco Verch Professional Photographer
Link to image attributionNorth Station is an important intercity and commuter rail station in Boston. Four key routes of the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) Commuter Rail begin at North Station. It is also one of three Amtrak stations in Boston and serves the Downeaster, connecting Boston to Maine. A pedestrian concourse from the station leads to Boston's subway transit system (a.k.a. the T), where you can access its Orange and Green lines. North Station shares a building with TD Garden, home of the NHL's Boston Bruins and the NBA's Boston Celtics. North Station has seen a lot of rebuilding since the first station came up at this site in the 19th century. In 1928, the original station was pulled apart and a new one was built from scratch. The current version results from decades of intermittent rebuilding, renovation, and expansion, with many new amenities and services to show for it.
North Station
Boston South Station
Image credit: Terry Ross
Link to image attributionThe 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.
100 Thompsons Pt Rd
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.
