Michael M Stokes, CC BY 2.0

Maine

Lobsters, Lighthouses and Lush Landscapes

Maine is a state in the northeastern United States known for its rugged coastline and dense forests. The landscape includes rocky shores, quiet beaches and countless lakes surrounded by pine trees. People visit to hike trails that pass through national parks or to explore small towns with lobster shacks along the water. Weather changes throughout the year, bringing snowy winters and mild summers. Outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing and biking are popular for visitors who enjoy nature and fresh air.

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State/Prefecture in United States

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.9

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	8

Read details

4/5

English is the primary language throughout Maine and widely spoken by residents and service providers. Visitors will have no difficulty communicating.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Maine Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Excellent for rugged coastlines and seafood. Walk scenic coastal trails, explore lighthouses, visit fishing villages and enjoy lobster along the Atlantic shore.

Place score

8.0

Best at:

Sea

Natural sites

Autumn foliage

Spotless

Local cuisine

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

United States – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary.
Etiquette:	Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated.

Thanksgiving (November)	A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges.
Independence Day (July)	Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide.
Christmas (December)	Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Helpful links:	Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine
Other:	The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Maine, United States

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	July - Oct.
Shoulder season:	Jan. - March, June, Dec.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Climate and season vary by region: coast best June to October, inland mountains for skiing December to March, north woods for autumn foliage from late September

Many coastal hotels, restaurants and attractions close after mid-October and reopen around Memorial Day

Black fly season in the woods runs May to June

Don't miss

🌄 Watch the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park
🦞 Eat a freshly steamed lobster at a coastal shack
🏖️ Visit the Portland Head Light, Maine’s iconic lighthouse
🛶 Paddle through the peaceful waters of Moosehead Lake
🛍️ Stroll through Old Port’s cobblestone streets and local markets

You've been here?

Why travel to Maine?

Travelers choose Maine for its dramatic ocean views, historic lighthouses and vast wilderness areas perfect for hiking, fishing and wildlife watching. Acadia National Park is a crown jewel with its scenic drives and diverse ecosystems. Quaint coastal villages like Bar Harbor blend rustic charm with inviting shops and eateries. Winter weather can be harsh, especially inland, with heavy snow and icy conditions. Remote areas sometimes have limited services, so visitors should plan ahead and be prepared for seasonal weather fluctuations.

🏙️Cities & Regions

1 Portland (Maine)
A coastal city in Maine's rugged New England coast, Portland offers a mix of historic brick streets, waterfront parks and a thriving culinary scene centered on fresh seafood and local breweries and artisanal coffee shops.
2 Acadia National Park
This rugged coastal park features dramatic granite cliffs, ancient forests and crystal-clear lakes along the Atlantic. Visitors explore winding carriage roads, historic lighthouses and vibrant fall foliage in this protected natural treasure of Maine's northern coast.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Baxter State Park
2 Bar Harbor
3 Kennebunkport
4 Old Orchard Beach
5 Portland Head Light
6 Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
7 Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park
8 Camden Hills State Park
9 Monhegan Island

🎡Places for activities

1 Palace Playland
2 Funtown Splashtown
3 Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf
4 Maine Maritime Museum
5 Maine State Aquarium

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
2 Cadillac Mountain
3 Casco Bay
4 Moosehead Lake
5 Pemaquid Point
6 Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
7 Gulf Hagas Mountain
8 Deboullie Public Reserved Land
9 Cobscook Bay State Park

🛍️Shopping

1 Old Port
2 Stewman's Downtown
3 Bangor Mall

🎈Events

Maine Lobster Festival
Bar Harbor Music Festival
Portland Wine Week
Eastport Lobster Coasting Festival
Camden Windjammer Festival
Freeport Flag Day Parade
Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude
Common Ground Country Fair
Moose Festival
Acadia Night Sky Festival

Explore on map

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Knowledge before you go

Pack waterproof gear; Maine weather is unpredictable even in summer.
Reserve lodging early during peak fall foliage season, as popular towns fill up quickly.
Use the state’s free bike-share program to explore coastal villages and scenic trails efficiently.
Visit local lighthouses at sunrise for quiet views; many offer guided tours that reveal maritime history.

How to travel to Maine

Traveling to Maine, United States, primarily involves flying into one of its regional airports such as Portland International Jetport (PWM), which serves as the main gateway. Smaller airports like Bangor International Airport (BGR) also offer commercial flights. For those driving, Interstate 95 runs through the state, connecting major cities and towns. Public transportation options include buses operated by companies like Concord Trailways and regional carriers offering intercity services. Ferries provide access to coastal areas and islands such as Mount Desert Island via the Maine State Ferry Service. Rail connections are limited but available through Amtrak’s *Lake Shore Limited* route, which stops in cities like Portland. Seasonal ferry schedules apply for island destinations.

Access summary

From Portland Jetport (PWM): Taxi or bus downtown Portland, about 10–25 minutes.
From Boston: Drive I‑95 north into southern Maine coastal towns, around 1.5–2 hours.
From New York City: Fly or drive 6–8 hours to Maine’s main gateways.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Maine

Maine offers a range of accommodations including luxury resorts, quaint bed and breakfasts and rustic cabins. Coastal towns feature many charming inns, while national parks provide camping opportunities.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Casco Bay Hotel Portland Airport - Maine Mall, an Ascend Collection Hotel

8.4

Fox Ridge Resort

8.1

Red Jacket Mountain View Hotel

8.5

Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Portland

8.3

North Conway Grand Hotel

9.0

InnSeason Resorts The Falls at Ogunquit

9.5

Holiday Inn Portland-By the Bay By IHG

8.8

Ashworth by the Sea Hotel

7.6

The Green Granite North Conway, an Ascend Collection Hotel

8.0

Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Maine

9.0

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Maine

Driving is the most convenient way to explore Maine, especially for reaching rural and coastal areas. Bus services are available in major towns and ferries connect the islands. Biking is popular in scenic regions like Acadia.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+4 %

Daily expenses in Maine are around 4% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£83	£176	£474
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£45	£90	£225
🍝 Food per day	£32	£79	£225
🚕 Transportation per day	£6	£6	£23

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£36
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£15
🍟 Fast food combo	£9.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£11.50
☕ Cappuccino	£3.90
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.40

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.50
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£14
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.65

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£10.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£110
🤧 Cold medication	£7
💇 Basic haircut	£15

Safety information overview

General safety

Maine offers a very safe travel experience, with low crime rates and friendly locals. Petty theft is rare and violent incidents are uncommon. Travelers should stay aware of seasonal weather hazards, especially in coastal areas, but overall safety remains excellent.

Health & Medical

Maine offers high‑quality medical care with well‑rated hospitals and specialists, especially in Portland and Augusta. Rural areas have fewer facilities but telemedicine is expanding. Health risks include seasonal flu, cold weather injuries and limited emergency services in remote regions.

Accessibility

Maine offers mixed accessibility: many coastal towns have wheelchair‑friendly promenades and accessible public transport, yet rural areas lack curb cuts and signage. Public buildings are generally ADA compliant, but some historic sites remain difficult to navigate. Plan ahead for mobility needs.

Tap water

Maine’s tap water ranks among the nation’s best – clean, well‑treated and abundant across cities and rural towns alike. Public fountains are common in parks and downtowns and most households receive high‑quality water straight from the tap, ensuring easy hydration everywhere.