Cheap train tickets from Boston, MA to Portland, ME
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There are usually 5 daily train trips available from Boston, MA to Portland, ME. Traveling by train from Boston, MA to Portland, ME usually takes 2 hours and 30 minutes, but some trains might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
| Distance | 99 mi (159 km) |
| Fastest train | 2h 30m |
| Lowest price | $34.00 |
| Trains per day | 5 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Downeaster |
| Train lines | 1 |
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
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
Boston to Portland Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by train or bus from Boston to Portland?
There are usually 32 daily bus trips available from Boston, MA to Portland, ME.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$35.15 | Avg. Price$30.92Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips5 | Daily Trips32 |
Duration | Duration2h 30m | Duration2h 5mFaster |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Boston to Portland (Based on 30 ratings and reviews)
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
Boston to Portland Route Map
There are several train options that can take you from Boston to Portland:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Boston, MA to Portland, ME?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Boston, MA to Portland, ME was $35.08. Compared to most train fares, this is an excellent price. The further in advance you book your travels, the more likely it is you can find tickets at this price or lower.
Average train ticket prices from Boston, MA to Portland, ME by travel date
The cost of a one-way train trip from Boston, MA to Portland, ME is expected to stay pretty stable over the next four weeks. No matter which day you travel, you can expect to pay about $35 for your ticket.
Average train ticket prices from Boston, MA to Portland, ME by month
Taking the train from Boston, MA to Portland, ME usually costs about the same throughout the year. In general, train ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $35 whenever you decide to travel.
Prices as travel date approaches
The price of train trips from Boston, MA to Portland, ME doesn't fluctuate much throughout the year, so you don’t need to book your tickets super far in advance. However, to avoid last-minute price surges or sold-out tickets, we recommend purchasing your train tickets at least 48 hours before departure.
What train companies travel from Boston to Portland?
There are multiple trains that travel from Boston to Portland, including Amtrak Downeaster. Here is what you should know about the 1 most popular train lines:
| TRAIN | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Downeaster | 5 | 2h 30m | $35.15 |
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, MA to Portland, ME each day, and with ticket prices starting at just $34, this is one of the most affordable trains in the United States.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Boston to Portland
There are 5 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Boston, MA to Portland, ME. You can also take a train for your return trip from Portland, ME to Boston, MA. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Boston, MA to Portland, ME for $17.
TRIPS PER DAY
5
DIRECT TRIPS
5
The distance between Boston, MA and Portland, ME is approximately 99 miles, or 159 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 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.
DISTANCE (MI)
99
DISTANCE (KM)
159
The earliest train departs Boston, MA at 8:50am while the last train of the day leaves at 11:25pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
EARLIEST TRAIN
8:50am
LATEST TRAIN
11:25pm
Trains from Boston, MA to Portland, ME are the most crowded on Saturday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Tuesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
MOST CROWDED
Saturday
LEAST CROWDED
Tuesday
City Information
Boston, MA
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, ME
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 does the train leave from in Boston?
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
Where does the train arrive in Portland?
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.
All train stations in Portland:
- 100 Thompsons Pt Rd
Need a return trip from Portland to Boston?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Boston
Continue by train from Portland
- Portland to Newark Train$111+
- Portland to Boston Train$40+
- Portland, ME to Syracuse, NY Train$103+
- Portland to Orlando Train$330+
- Portland, ME to Seattle, WA Train$490+
- Portland to Bangor Train
- Portland to Rochester Train$142+
- Portland to New Haven Train$71+
- Portland to Providence Train$48+
- Portland to Philadelphia Train$108+
- Portland to Washington, DC Train$124+
- Portland, ME to Los Angeles, CA Train$405+
- Portland to New York Train$109+
- Portland, ME to Nashville, TN Train
- Portland, ME to Hartford, CT Train
- Portland, ME to Vancouver, BC Train$658+
- Portland, ME to Dallas, TX Train$372+
- Portland to Wells Train$8+
Check out these popular routes
- Portland to Seattle Train$51+
- Seattle to New York Train$600+
- Los Angeles to San Diego Train$42+
- San Diego to Los Angeles Train$36+
- Orlando to Miami Train$43+
- Philadelphia to New York Train$54+
- Washington, DC to New York Train$110+
- Seattle to Vancouver Train$84+
- New York to Philadelphia Train$57+
- Boston to New Rochelle Train$75+
- Boston to New York Train$109+
- Providence to New York Train$111+
- Montreal to Québec City Train$48+
- Portland, ME to Seattle, WA Train$490+
- New York to Washington, DC Train$116+
- New York to Providence Train$112+
- New York to Boston Train$124+
- Seattle, WA to Vancouver, WA Train$53+
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.