PLAN 4: AMTRAK TO BOSTON
You can transfer from Amtrak to either Concord Trailways or Vermont Transit at Boston's South Station. It is moderate walk from the train platforms to the bus depot.

During the summer, Vermont Transit offers one round trip a day between Boston and Bar Harbor. Concord Trailways offers express bus service between Boston and Bangor. See below for travel options between Bangor and Bar Harbor.

Make sure your Amtrak train will arrive in Boston early enough to catch the bus.
You should look for a train that arrives in Boston at least one-half hour before the bus leaves. It would be better to leave a full hour or more in case trains are delayed.
     If you are will arrive too late to catch the bus to Bar Harbor, an alternate strategy might be to ride the bus to Portland and stay overnight in Portland.

At Boston's South Station, walk from the train platforms to the intercity bus terminal.
It is a bit of a walk from the trains to the bus terminal and this may cause you some trouble if you are transporting heavy luggage. Facing the train platforms, walk to your right and then turn left for the walkway to the bus station.

Bangor to Bar Harbor
There are various strategies for traveling from Bangor to Bar Harbor. Here are some ways to do this, starting with the least expensive:

1. Downeast Transportation departs Bangor for Bar Harbor year-round on Mondays and Fridays only. This bus does not operate on Monday holidays. It departs Concord Trailways at 3:00 p.m. and Vermont Transit at 3:10 p.m. Visit DowneastTrans.org for detailed schedule and fare information.

2. Monday through Friday, you can travel from Bangor to Ellsworth on the West Transportation bus, and then transfer to a Downeast Transportation bus heading to Bar Harbor. The West bus departs Concord Trailways daily at 3:10 p.m. and Vermont Transit at 3:20 p.m. It drops off on request at Ellsworth City Hall at 4:05 p.m. The Downeast bus to Bar Harbor departs Ellsworth City Hall Monday through Friday at 4:20 p.m.

3. Vermont Transit operates a bus daily during the summer months that departs downtown Bangor for Bar Harbor in the early evening. The local Bangor bus (BAT Community Connector) links the airport and downtown Bangor. The Vermont Transit terminal is two blocks from the Bangor downtown transit hub.

4. The Bar Harbor-Bangor Shuttle offers up to five trips a day from Bangor to Bar Harbor, with pick-ups at the airport. Advance reservations are required.

5. Rental cars and taxis are available at the Bangor airport.

The Island Explorer is operated by
Downeast Transportation
PO Box 914
Ellsworth, ME 04605
(207) 667-5796

For email inquiries, info@exploreacadia.com