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Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Portland to Salem. Traveling by bus from Portland to Salem usually takes around 3 hours and 28 minutes, but the fastest Concord Coach Lines bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 5 minutes.
| Distance | 77 mi (124 km) |
| Shortest duration | 3h 5m |
| Cheapest price | $34.00 |
| Most frequent service | Concord Coach Lines |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Portland to Salem?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Portland to Salem. Concord Coach Lines is the one bus line that serves this route. Although it's the sole option, there are a couple of different scheduled times to choose from.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concord Coach Lines | 2 | 3h 28m | $34.00 |
Concord Coach Lines is an intercity transportation company that operates daily bus routes across the Northeast. Their services provide one of the main methods of ground transportation across New Hampshire and Maine, and they are one of the several carriers that connect northern New England with Boston and New York City. Concord Coach Lines won numerous 2022 Wanderu Passengers' Choice Awards for their on-time performance, quality coaches, helpful crew, and reliable Wi-Fi, and nabbed the top spot as the #1 Best Bus Service in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 28 minutes to cover the 77 miles from Portland to Salem. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 5 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.
Travelers prefer riding the bus on Saturday to enjoy the weekend in Salem. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Friday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 4:00am and the last bus leaves at 7:00am. To see the times for all buses from Portland to Salem, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
City Information
Portland
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.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Portland?
Image credit: Terry Ross
Link to image attributionMain 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
Where does the bus arrive in Salem?
Main arrival station: Salem Transportation Center
All buses from Portland arrive at one main station in Salem.
All bus stations in Salem:
Salem Transportation Center
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