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Boston to Portland train

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Boston - Portland Train Timetable

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Trip Summary

There are 7 daily trains from Boston to Portland. Traveling by train from Boston to Portland usually takes around 3 hours and 5 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Distance99 mi (159 km)
Fastest train2h 30m
Lowest price£19.01
Trains per day5
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Downeaster
Train lines2

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Boston to Portland

(Based on 24 ratings and reviews)

4.9

5.0

Nancy

18 January 2024- Solo travel

Amtrak Downeaster

Pros: Everything. Cons: Nothing. Tips: Best train ride.

5.0

Josephus

10 September 2023- Couples trip

Amtrak Downeaster

Pros: Free drink. Cons: Excellent service. Tips: No.

5.0

Alima

17 April 2023- Vacation

Amtrak Downeaster

Very fast and convenient

5.0

Elizabeth

3 October 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak Downeaster

Pros: Beautiful scenery and the stops were quick and efficient. Gorgeous fall colors. Cons: Can't think of anything. Tips: Make sure you are comfortable with maneuvering your luggage.

5.0

Jon

2 September 2022- Vacation

Amtrak Downeaster

Pros: Overall train ride and service was excellent! Cons: All good! Tips: Take the train!

Boston to Portland Route Map

Boston Portland

What is the price of a train ticket from Boston to Portland?

Over the past month, a train ticket between Boston and Portland cost £27.06, on average. This price makes taking the train a budget-friendly option to get to Portland. Booking your trip at least 28 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around £1.43 more.

Average prices by travel date

£36£24£12MarApr

For the next 30 days, the cost of a one-way train trip from Boston to Portland will range from £25 to £29. If you're planning to travel by train to Portland in the upcoming week, the cheapest train ticket from Boston you can find in the next 7 days is £25. Be sure to book your trip in advance as train ticket prices typically increase as your travel date approaches.

Monthly average prices

£20£16£12£8£4AMJJASONDJFM
Ticket prices for the train from Boston to Portland stay pretty consistent throughout the year. You can expect to pay around £19 regardless of when you plan to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

£40£32£24£16£83020100

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.

Which train should you take from Boston to Portland?

2 train services operate from Boston to Portland. Amtrak Downeaster usually has more trains scheduled, with 5 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak34h 19m£32.84
Amtrak Downeaster52h 30m£25.71
  • 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 3 Amtrak trains from Boston to Portland every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £19.

  • 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 5 trips from Boston to Portland each day, and with ticket prices starting at just £19, this is one of the most affordable trains in the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

The distance between Boston and Portland is approximately 99 miles, or 159 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 5 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.

On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Boston to Portland on Wednesday. Tickets for Wednesday 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 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 23:00. 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 7 scheduled trains on most days. 5 of these are direct connections to Portland. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Portland to Boston.

City Information

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.

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.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Boston?

North Station - BOSNST-0

Image credit: Marco Verch Professional Photographer

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: North Station

North 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.

All train stations in Boston:

  • North Station

  • South Station

Where is the train station 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 arrival 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.

Train stations in Portland:

  • 100 Thompsons Pt Rd

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Need a return trip from Portland to Boston?

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