Every once in a while I’ll take a day trip to Boston. We’re lucky to have a few ways to travel from Maine: driving, riding on the Concord Coach Lines bus route, and taking the Amtrak Downeaster line from Portland. I decided to do a little research to see how the fares for each mode of travel compared.
UPDATE: I’ve updated the rates below to reflect those as of August 2, 2010. This is the best information I could find; please consult the Concord Coach Lines, Amtrak Downeaster, and parking sites for official fares and information. And, of course, these are estimates. Please see below the table for notes, and please let me know if you spot any errors.
UPDATE 2: Thanks to Susan for pointing out that these rates are for round-trip in the comments. Should’ve made that clearer.
For a day trip:
| Car (30 MPG) |
Tolls | Bus/Train (per person) |
Parking | TOTAL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drive from Bangor to Boston | ~44.00 | 11.00 | – | 5.50 | ~60.50 |
| Drive to Portland, bus to South Station | ~24.00 | 2.00 | 32.00 | 3.00 | ~61.00 |
| Drive to Portland, train to North Station | ~24.00 | 2.00 | 39.00 | 3.00 | ~68.00 |
| Drive to Augusta, bus to South Station | ~14.00 | – | 58.00 | – | ~72.00 |
| Drive to Augusta, bus to Portland, train to South Station | ~14.00 | – | 66.00 | – | ~80.00 |
| Bus to Portland, train to South Station | – | – | 83.00 | – | 83.00 |
| Bus from Bangor to South Station | – | – | 71.00 | – | 71.00 |
How about if you want to stay for more than one day?
| Car (30 MPG) |
Tolls | Bus/Train (per person) |
Parking | TOTAL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drive from Bangor to Boston | ~44.00 | 11.00 | – | 5.50 + 5.50/day |
~60.50 + 5.50/day |
| Drive to Portland, bus to South Station | ~24.00 | 2.00 | 36.00 | 3.00 + 3.00/day |
~65.00 +3.00/day |
| Drive to Portland, train to North Station | ~24.00 | 2.00 | 48.00 | 3.00 + 3.00/day |
~77.00 + 3.00/day |
| Drive to Augusta, bus to South Station | ~14.00 | – | 61.00 | – | ~75.00 |
| Drive to Augusta, bus to Portland, train to South Station | ~14.00 | – | 75.00 | – | ~89.00 |
| Bus to Portland, train to South Station | – | – | 92.00 | – | 92.00 |
| Bus from Bangor to South Station | – | – | 71.00 | – | 71.00 |
Driving rates are calculated using distances on Google Maps based on $2.80/gallon at 30 MPG traveling down I-95 to Gardiner and then I-295 to Portland and beyond. Tolls are based on cash rates. Bus and train rates are per person. Boston parking is based on rates at Sullivan Square and other Orange Line stations. Your mileage may vary. (har har.)
Sources: Maine Turnpike tolls, New Hampshire turnpike tolls, Concord Coach Lines fares, Concord Coach Lines locations, Amtrak Downeaster fares, Amtrak Downeaster stations, MBTA parking rates.