So, you’re starting to plan your trip to Acadia National Park. One of the first things you’ll need to do is to decide how to get there. To help you make the best decision, we’ll look at all the options for traveling to Acadia National Park.
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Guide to How To Get To Acadia National Park
Where’s Acadia National Park?
Acadia is in Maine, in the far northeastern corner of the US. The New England scenery is spectacular, but it’s quite remote, with only small airports nearby, so it’s not the easiest place to get to. The closest town to Acadia National Park is Bar Harbor, and this is where most park visitors stay.
If you are planning to visit Acadia National Park, make your planning easy and stress free with a detailed itinerary. I have 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-day itineraries for Acadia that include all the park highlights, give you choices based on your preferred activity level, and take all the stress out of planning your trip.
How do I visit Acadia National Park?
Despite its relative isolation, there are several options for getting to the national park.
Flying to Acadia National Park
Unless you live in the northeast or are planning an epic road trip, flying to somewhere close by is probably your best option.
The nearest airport is Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (BHB), which is just 13 miles/ 21 km from Bar Harbor. However, it’s a small regional airport with no international and limited domestic flights.
The closest main airport is Bangor International Airport (BGR), which is 51 miles/ 82km from Bar Harbor. There are more flights here, though, despite its name, there are no direct international connections.
For a major international airport with plenty of flights to choose from, you’re looking at Boston Logan International Airport. You can connect to a closer airport here, or pick up a rental car and drive. It takes about five hours from Boston airport to Acadia National Park. This makes a good choice if you want to explore New England, as there are plenty of rental car options.
For more information about flying to Acadia, read my guide to the best airports for Acadia National Park.
Check prices on flights to Bar Harbor here.
How to Take the Train to Acadia National Park
Can I take a train to Acadia National Park?
There is no train station at Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, or any other nearby town. However, if you love traveling by train and want to take the Amtrak to Acadia National Park, you can get most of the way there.
If you want to take an NYC to Acadia National Park train, you’ll need to take the train to Boston first. Then, to get a train from Boston to Acadia National Park, you can board the Downeaster train. This runs from Boston as far north as Brunswick, ME. It also stops in Portland, ME.
From Brunswick or Portland, you need to get a bus (see Taking a Bus section below) or rent a car and drive (see Driving section below) for the final leg to Bar Harbor.
FAQS: Taking a train to Acadia National Park
Does Amtrak go to the state of Maine?
Yes, the Amtrak Downeaster runs from Boston’s North Station to Brunswick, Maine via Portland, ME.
How far does Amtrak go into Maine?
The Amtrak Downeaster goes as far as Brunswick. The regional train service between Boston and Brunswick is 146 miles.
Does Amtrak go to Bar Harbor?
No, the train only goes as far as Brunswick.
How do I get to Bar Harbor Maine by train?
The most convenient place to get off the train is Portland, ME. From there, you can take a bus or rent a car and drive to Bar Harbor.
How long is the train ride from Boston to Maine?
The regional train service between Boston and Brunswick is 146 miles.
How to Take a Bus to Acadia National Park
Greyhound and/ or Peter Pan buses connect Boston MA, Portland ME and Bangor ME with other destinations around the country such as New York City, Providence RI, and Burlington VT.
However, Greyhound doesn’t go to Bar Harbor. To get to Bar Harbor, the gateway town to Acadia National Park, you need to connect in Bangor.
The other main bus line servicing Maine is Concord Coach Lines, and they have good connections throughout most of the state.
Taking a bus from Boston to Acadia National Park
Concord Coach has a service from Boston to Portland and on to Bangor. They also have an bus that runs nonstop between Boston-Logan International Airport and Portland, where you can get another bus to Bangor >> Bar Harbor.
Taking a bus from Portland to Acadia National Park
Concord Coach has a service from Portland to Bangor that connects in Bangor with a bus to Bar Harbor. You can take this bus in Portland if you took an Amtrak train to Portland.
Taking a bus from Bangor to Acadia National Park
Bangor is home to Bangor Airport and is also the main bus terminal where you’ll transfer for the bus to Bar Harbor.
Down East Transportation and the Bar Harbor Shuttle offer services from Bangor Airport to Bar Harbor. Bar Harbor shuttle is private shuttle service between Bangor and Bar Harbor (operating Monday – Saturday).
How to Take a Ferry to Acadia National Park
Is there a ferry to Bar Harbor Maine?
Yes. Although there is no ferry from Portland Maine to Acadia National Park, there is a ferry from Yarmouth in Nova Scotia, Canada to Bar Harbor.
There is also a seasonal ferry between Bar Harbor and Winter Harbor, which gives direct access to the Schoodic Peninsula and connects with the free Island Explorer shuttle that can take you around the Schoodic section of Acadia National Park.
FAQs: Taking a ferry to Acadia National Park
Is there a ferry from Boston to Acadia National Park?
No, there is no ferry between Boston and Acadia National Park.
How to Drive to Acadia National Park
The best way to get to Acadia National Park is to drive. The surrounding New England countryside and coastline are beautiful and I recommend taking a road trip to Acadia National Park.
How do you get to Acadia National Park from points to the south? Heading north, 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 you right on to Mount Desert Island and into Bar Harbor.
Car Rental
There is no car rental from Bar Harbor Airport, which is tiny, but there is from the larger Bangor Airport. Rent a car at the Bangor, Maine Airport here. Check out my guide to saving money on rental cars before you book.
FAQS: Driving to Acadia National Park
Can you drive through Acadia National Park?
Yes, you can drive through Acadia National Park. There are several road systems throughout the park. The most popular is the 27-mile scenic Park Loop Road. Most of the road is one way and some sections are closed completely in winter.
How long does it take to drive the loop in Acadia National Park?
The loop is 27 miles and the speed limit is 25-35 miles per hour. So, in theory you can drive the whole loop in an hour. However, you should allow at least three hours to enjoy the scenic drive.
Do I need a car in Acadia National Park?
For the most part, you do not need a car in Acadia National Park. However, there are some roads such as the Cadillac Mountain Summit Road that you can only access with your own vehicle. Also, if you want to enter the park early in the morning or later at night, having your own vehicle is the only option.
How do you get around Acadia without a car?
You can get around most of Acadia National Park using the free Island Explorer shuttle bus.
How far is Boston from Acadia National Park?
From Acadia National Park to Boston is 275 miles.
How many hours drive from Boston to Acadia National Park?
The drive to Acadia National Park from Boston takes between 4.5 and 5 hours.
Is there only one entrance to Acadia National Park?
There are five entrances to the main Park Loop section of Acadia National Park.
- Hulls Cove Entrance on Route 3 north of Bar Harbor
- Cadillac Mountain Entrance/ Eagle Lake Road on Route 233
- Sieur de Monts Entrance on Route 3 south of Bar Harbor
- Sand Beach Entrance Station on Schooner Head Road
- Stanley Brook Entrance on Route 3 in Seal Harbor
Other parts of the park on Mount Desert Island can be accessed by various public roads.
The Schoodic Peninsula section of the park is located off Route 186, near the town of Winter Harbor.
To get to Isle au Haut, take the mail boat ferry from Stonington on the southwestern coast of Mount Desert Island.
What is the best entrance to Acadia National Park?
The most popular entrance to Acadia National Park is the Hulls Cove Entrance, in part because that’s where the Visitor Center is.
What city is closest to Acadia National Park?
Although Bar Harbor is the nearest town, the closest city to Acadia National Park is Portland, ME.
Drive Times to Acadia National Park From Common Departure Points
NYC to Acadia National Park: 8 hours 30 minutes
Boston, MA to Acadia National Park: 4 hours 30 minutes
Bangor, Maine to Acadia National Park: 1 hour
Kennebunkport to Acadia National Park: 3 hours 15 minutes
Burlington VT to Acadia National Park: 6 hours 30 minutes
Montreal to Acadia National Park: 6 hours 30 minutes
Cape Cod to Acadia National Park: 5 hours 30 minutes
Brunswick, Maine to Acadia National Park: 2 hours 30 minutes
Toronto to Acadia National Park: 11 hours 45 minutes
Newark, New Jersey to Acadia National Park: 8 hours 15 minutes
From Bar Harbor to Acadia National Park
Bar Harbor is the closest town to Acadia National Park. If you’re not sure how to get from Bar Harbor to Acadia National Park, the easiest option is to take the free Island Explorer shuttle bus from Bar Harbor into Acadia National Park. It runs between May and October along several routes around Mount Desert Island, the nearby mainland, and the Schoodic Peninsula. Read more here.
However, you can also drive. Parking is very limited, but if you want to beat the crowds and get into the park early in the morning, driving is your best bet, as the shuttle doesn’t start until a little later in the morning.
FAQS: Getting from Bar Harbor to Acadia National Park
How far is Bar Harbor to Acadia National Park?
It’s just 1.5 miles from Bar Harbor to the nearest entrance of Acadia National Park.
Is there a shuttle in Acadia National Park?
Yes, the Island Explorer shuttle bus runs between May and October along several routes around Mount Desert Island, the nearby mainland, and the Schoodic Peninsula.
Is there a shuttle from Bar Harbor to Acadia National Park?
Yes, the Island Explorer shuttle bus has several routes between Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park.
Is the Island Explorer free?
Yes, the Island Explorer is free.
How to Get to Acadia National Park from Cruise Ship Terminal
It’s possible, with just a little walking, to from your cruise ship to the main points of interest on public buses.
You’ll get off your cruise ship by taking a small boat tender to the pier in Bar Harbor. From the dock, walk up the hill a couple of blocks. On the right side of the street about 50 yards down the road, you’ll see a sign for the Hull’s Cove Visitor Center.
You can take an Island Explorer shuttle bus from there into Acadia National Park or to downtown Bar Harbor.
Travel Insurance for Acadia National Park
In addition to deciding how to go to Acadia National Park, you will also need get travel insurance for your trip. Whether it is for unexpected trip cancelation, emergency repatriation or medial help, or to replace something lost or stolen, having travel insurance will give you piece of mind and help you when you need it.
A great insurance option is Travelex. It has coverage for all you’ll need. You can compare Travel Insurance plans here or get a quote right now:
Enjoy Acadia!
You might also like to read:
>> Planning a Trip To Acadia National Park
>> The Best Time to Visit Acadia National Park
>> The Best Airports for Acadia National Park
>> How Long to Spend in Acadia National Park
>> The Acadia Cadillac Mountain Reservation System
>> Best Hikes in Acadia National Park
>> Best Things to Do in Acadia National Park
>> Acadia National Park Vacation Rentals
>> Acadia National Park Campgrounds
>> Fascinating (and Useful) Books About Acadia National Park
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Guide to How To Get To Acadia National Park
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About the Author
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 most of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, comprehensive camping and hiking gear reviews and buying guides, and helpful packing lists and gift guides 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, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
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