Trying to figure out where to fly into for Acadia National Park? You’re not the only one. Planning a trip to this beautiful corner of Maine often starts with a confusing search:
What’s the closest airport? Is it better to fly somewhere cheaper and drive? How long will that take?
I’ve wrestled with the same questions.
I’ve flown into several of the different airports listed here and researched them all in detail. In this guide, I’ll share what actually worked, what was worth the time or money – and what I’d skip next time.
If you’re flying to Acadia from around the country or from abroad, this will help you decide which airport to use.
Want a quick tip? The best airport near Acadia National Park for convenience is Bar Harbor Airport – but it’s not always the best overall choice. I’ll explain why.
I’ll break down flight availability, rental car logistics, and what kind of experience you can expect depending on your route, so you can make the smartest choice for your trip.
Alright, let’s sort out the airports and get you on your way to Acadia.
‼️ If you just want to know the nearest airport, read my guide to the Airport Nearest Acadia National Park.
What are the best airports near Acadia National Park?
The airports near Bar Harbor, Maine and Acadia National Park are:
🛫 Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport is less than 10 miles from the park
🛫 Bangor International Airport is a little more than 46 miles away
🛫 Portland International Jetport is around 170 miles away (about a three-hour drive)
🛫 Boston Logan International Airport is located 280 miles/5 hours from Bar Harbor.
Where do you fly into for Acadia National Park?
What airport is near Acadia National Park?
There are several options. In order of travel time from the park, they are:
Hancock County – Bar Harbor Airport (BHB)
What is the closest airport to Acadia National Park? Hancock County – Bar Harbor Airport is the airport closest to Acadia National Park.
Halfway between Ellsworth and Bar Harbor, it’s just 12 miles to Acadia National Park. It’s a small airport, but is open year-round, with flights from Boston on Cape Air. They even have a ramp for sea planes!
Location: Trenton, ME just across the Mount Desert Narrows, which separates Mount Desert Island from the mainland.
Distance to Acadia National Park: 12 miles
Travel time to Acadia National Park: 20 minutes to Cadillac Mountain Entrance / Bar Harbor
What airlines fly out of Hancock County – Bar Harbor Airport?
✈️ Cape Air (partnering with Jet Blue): Boston year-round
➡️ Find the cheapest flight on Skyscanner
Rental car options:
🚘 Onsite: Hertz (year-round); Enterprise (seasonal).➡️ Book a car through Discover Cars
Getting from Bar Harbor to Acadia National Park:
🚖 Taxis service, shuttles, limo service, free Island Explorer buses (seasonal)
Pros
- It’s the closest airport to Bar Harbor, Maine and Acadia National Park
Cons
- Very limited range of flights
This is the best airport for Acadia National Park …
✅ if you have more limited time and want to get straight to the park.
Bangor International Airport (BGR)
Bangor International Airport is technically the closest international airport to Acadia National Park. However, despite its name, there are, in fact, no international flights to/ from the airport. Instead, there are flights daily on major American airlines from several connecting cities.
There are buses that go from the airport direct to Bar Harbor, so if you don’t want to drive, then this is a good option. They also have more rental companies to choose from if you do want to drive from the airport to the national park.
Location: Bangor, ME
Distance to Acadia National Park: 52 miles
Travel time to Acadia National Park: 1 hour 15 minutes to Cadillac Mountain Entrance/ Bar Harbor
What airlines fly out of Bangor International Airport?
✈️ Allegiant Air: St Petersburgh-Clearwater (Tampa), Sanford (Orlando)
✈️ Delta: Boston, New York
✈️ American Airlines: Philadelphia, Washington DC, Charlotte (seasonal)
✈️ United: Newark, Washington (seasonal)
➡️ Find the cheapest flight on Skyscanner
Rental car options:
🚘 Onsite: Avis, Budget, Hertz, National / Alamo/ Enterprise.➡️ Book a car through Discover Cars
Getting from Bangor Airport to Acadia National Park:
🚖 Taxis service, shuttles, limo service, Concord Coach bus to Bar Harbor
🚘 Driving directions: From the airport take I-95 S a short distance to I-395 E, in the outskirts of Bangor. Take I-395 five miles and merge onto US-1A to Ellsworth. From there follow ME-3 E to Bar Harbor.
Pros
- Proximity to Acadia National Park
- More flight and rental car options
Cons
- Limited range of flights
- Many of the flights are seasonal
This is the best airport for Acadia …
✅ if you want to fly somewhere close to Acadia National Park but want more airline and flight options.
✅ if you don’t want to rent a car.
Portland International Jetport (PWM)
Portland International Jetport also has no international flights, but is the largest airport in Maine. There are multiple flights daily from cities around the United States.
Location: South Portland, Maine
Distance to Acadia National Park: 117 miles
Travel time to Acadia National Park: 3 hours 15 minutes to Cadillac Mountain Entrance/ Bar Harbor
What airlines fly out of Portland International Jetport
✈️ Delta: New York, Detroit, Atlanta
✈️ American Airlines: Philadelphia, Washington DC, Charlotte
✈️ United: Newark, Washington DC, Chicago
✈️ Southwest Airlines: Baltimore
✈️ Elite Airways: Vero Beach FL, St Augustine FL
✈️ Frontier Airlines: Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale
➡️ Find the cheapest flight on Skyscanner
Rental car options:
🚘 Onsite: Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National. ➡️ Book a car through Discover Cars
Getting from Portland Jetport to Acadia National Park:
🚖Taxis, car service, limo service
🚇 Greater Portland Transit District METRO links the Jetport with the Amtrak Downeaster train station and the Vermont Transit and Concord Trailways bus stations (See How to get to Acadia National Park for details on bus and train travel)
🚍 Vermont Transit and Concord Trailways buses link Portland with Bangor, where there are buses to Bar Harbor.
🚘 Driving directions: From the Jetport take I-295 N, which becomes I-95 N in 50 miles. Follow I-95 N for 80 miles. Take Exit 182A in Bangor and merge onto I-395 E. After 5 miles merge onto US-1A E. In Ellsworth merge onto ME 3E to Bar Harbor.
Pros
- More airlines and flight options than the closer airports
Cons
- Not that close to the national park
- No direct international flights
This is the best airport for Acadia …
✅ If you have a frequent flyer program on an airline that flies here
✅ If the flights connect better with flights from your home airport
✅ If you want to incorporate a short road trip along the New England coast
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Boston Logan International Airport is the largest airport in New England. It’s a major international airport with almost 50 airlines flying from around 100 destinations in the US and overseas.
It’s not especially close, but has plenty of rental car options, including budget companies. If you’re planning a trip around New England as part of your trip to Acadia, then this is a good choice.
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Distance to Acadia National Park: 280 miles
Travel time to Acadia National Park: 5 hours 15 minutes to Cadillac Mountain Entrance/ Bar Harbor
What airlines fly out of Boston Logan International Airport
✈️ Boston Logan is a major international airport. There are flights with 42 national and international airlines to over 70 domestic and 30 international destinations.
➡️ Find the cheapest flight on Skyscanner
Rental car options:
🚘 From the Car Rental Center: SIXT, Zipcar, Thrifty, Payless, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National. ➡️ Book a car through Discover Cars
Getting from Boston Airport to Acadia National Park:
🚖 Taxis, car service, limo service
🚍 Private transportation or public transportation through MBTA (The T) takes travelers from Boston Logan International Airport to South Station and North Station. You can take an Amtrak train to Portland or Brunswick from North Station or a bus to Portland and Bangor. From South Station. (See How to get to Acadia National Park for details on bus and train travel)
🚘 Driving directions: Take the I-95 to Bangor. Get off at Exit 182A on to the I-395 then take the US-1A E at exit 6A. Follow that until Elsworth, you continue straight onto ME-3 E. That takes right on to Mount Desert Island and into Bar Harbor.
Pros
- Lots of flights to choose from
- Flights tend to be cheaper
- Budget car rental companies are available and car rental prices tend to be cheaper than at smaller airports
- Generally easier to find different car types available because of the volume of rental cars
- Connections to the smaller, closer Maine airports near Bar Harbor go through here
Cons
- It’s much further than most of the smaller airports, so it takes longer to drive (and you have to factor in the cost of fuel)
This is the best airport for Acadia …
✅ if you want to do a road trip to see more of New England.
✅ if you don’t want to connect to a smaller airport (and fly in a smaller plane).
✅ if you want more car rental options and/ or to save some money on car rental.
✨ PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER ✨
Choosing the best airport for your trip and booking flights is a very important step in planning your trip to Acadia, and I hope this guide is helping.
However, as I’m sure you’re very aware, this is just one thing of many to decide and do. The thing that most people ask me about is
how to put it all together into an itinerary that actually makes sense. They decide which airport to fly into, but still worry about how to minimize the crowds, what to do – and when – and how to coordinate it all.
To help
take away the overwhelm of planning a trip to Acadia, I’ve created several super
detailed itineraries.
Without them, people often feel stressed about planning their trip. With them they have the confidence of getting all the info they need in one spot. Plus,
there’s flexibility built in, so they can easily adapt them to their own interests and activity levels.
There are 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-day options: all with detailed hour-by-hour schedules, including alternatives for different activity and fitness levels, plus trail maps and descriptions, driving instructions, important information, essential tips, and
everything else you need to make the most of your time in Acadia National Park.
➡️ Check out the four Acadia National Park itinerary options
Acadia National Park Airports Map
How to Decide Where to Fly for Acadia National Park
The nearest airport to Acadia National Park may not be the best airport Acadia National Park offers. The best choice for you will depend on the specifics of your trip. Some things to consider are:
❓ Where else are you planning to go on your trip? Are you also visiting Boston or other parts of New England? Some airports provide easy access to them.
❓ When are you going? Some of the smaller airports have fewer flights in winter.
❓ How much time do you have? Your travel time from the airport will be more important if you have less time available for your trip.
❓ What’s your budget? Flight and/ or car rental prices can vary quite a bit between airports.
❓ Do you have a frequent flyer program with a specific airline? The smaller airports have limited airlines flying into them.
❓ Where are you flying from? The larger airports have more connecting flights, which can affect your decision depending on where you are flying from.
❓ What type of car do you want to rent when you arrive? Is there a specific car rental agency you want to use? The selection of rental cars available can vary a lot between airports.
FAQs About The Closest Airport – Acadia National Park
What airport is closest to Acadia National Park?
The closest airport to Acadia National Park, Maine is Hancock County – Bar Harbor Airport.
What’s the nearest airport to Bar Harbor, Maine?
What’s the nearest airport to Bar Harbor, Maine?
The closest airport to Bar Harbor, ME is Hancock County – Bar Harbor Airport.
What is the closest major airport to Acadia National Park?
The closest major airport near Acadia National Park is Portland Jetport in Portland, ME.
The closest international airport to Bar Harbor Maine is Boston Logan International Airport.
Where do you fly into to get to Bar Harbor, Maine?
There are several airports you can use for Bar Harbor. The nearest is Hancock County – Bar Harbor Airport.
How far is airport from Acadia National Park?
Hancock County – Bar Harbor Airport is 14.5 miles from Acadia National Park.
How far is Bar Harbor, Maine from the airport?
Bar Harbor is 12 miles from Hancock County – Bar Harbor Airport.
How far is Bangor, Maine from Acadia National Park?
Bangor is 50 miles from Acadia National Park.
What airports are near Bar Harbor, Maine?
The nearest airports to Bar Harbor, Maine are:
Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport
Bangor International Airport
Portland International Jetport
Boston Logan International Airport
What airlines fly into Bar Harbor Maine? What airlines fly out of Bar Harbor?
The only airline flying into/ out of Hancock County – Bar Harbor Airport is Cape Air (partnering with Jet Blue).
What is the major airport in Maine?
The major airport in Maine is Portland International Jetport.
Where do you fly into to get to Maine?
There are several airports in Maine. The largest airport in the state is Portland International Jetport.
Where does Southwest fly into Maine?
Southwest flies into Portland International Jetport.
Travel Insurance for Acadia National Park
A final thought. When you’re flying to Acadia National Park, consider getting travel insurance too. Make sure it includes trip cancellation, in case you need to cancel your flight before your travel, so that you can get a refund.
A great insurance option is Travelex. It has coverage for all you’ll need. You can choose the best travel insurance plan for your trip here or get a quote right now:
Have a great trip to Acadia! I hope this guide has helped you decide what airport to fly into for Acadia National Park.
Additional Planning Resources for Acadia National Park
⭐ How to Plan A Trip To Acadia National Park
⭐ The Best Things to Do in Acadia National Park
⭐ 10 Best Hikes in Acadia National Park
⭐ Guide to the Acadia Cadillac Mountain Reservation System
⭐ Planning a Trip to Acadia National Park: 7 Mistakes to Avoid
⭐ How Many Days in Acadia National Park?
⭐ The Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse: Complete Guide
⭐ The Best Time to Visit Acadia National Park
⭐ Visiting Acadia National Park: What To Expect Throughout the Year
⭐ How to Get To Acadia National Park
⭐ The Airport Nearest Acadia National Park
⭐ Tips For Visiting Acadia National Park
⭐ 12 Fun Facts About Acadia National Park
⭐ Best Books About Acadia National Park
⭐ Comprehensive Guide to Acadia National Park Camping
⭐ The Best Airbnb Acadia National Park
Which of the airports near Bar Harbor, ME did you choose? I’d love to know. Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know (you can also pick up extra planning tips, share your photos and stories with other national park lovers and more).
Now you know all the Acadia National Park airport options, Pin It to your Acadia National Park board for easy reference!
James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.
Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for many of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, and other resources will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.
As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including USA Today, Newsweek, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
Read more…
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