You're standing on the Portland waterfront, looking out at the Casco Bay islands, and you think, "Man, it would be incredible to just hop a boat from here straight up to Acadia." It makes sense. It feels right. You've got two iconic Maine hubs, both on the water, both deeply rooted in maritime history. Why spend three hours white-knuckling the steering wheel on Route 1 when you could be sipping a Shipyard Export on a sun deck?
Honestly, I hate to be the one to burst the bubble, but if you’re looking for a Portland to Bar Harbor ferry, you’re chasing a ghost.
There is no ferry. Not this year, and likely not for a long time.
It’s one of those persistent travel myths that just won’t die, largely because there used to be boats that did similar runs, and because the CAT ferry—that massive high-speed catamaran—is so famous in the region. But that boat goes to Nova Scotia, not Bar Harbor. People get turned around. They see a giant ship in Portland Harbor and assume it's heading up the coast. It’s a classic case of "logical travel planning" meeting the cold, hard reality of Maine's maritime logistics.
The truth about the Portland to Bar Harbor ferry route
So, why doesn't this exist? Basically, it's a matter of math and geography. If a company tried to run a high-speed ferry from Portland to Bar Harbor, they’d be competing with a road trip that takes about three hours. To make a ferry worth it, it has to be fast. High-speed ferries eat fuel like you wouldn't believe. To break even, the ticket prices would have to be so high that most families would just opt for their Honda CR-V and a stop at Red’s Eats in Wiscasset.
The distance by water is roughly 100 nautical miles. Even a fast boat doing 30 knots would take over three hours. Add in the time for boarding, vehicle loading (if it’s a car ferry), and docking, and you’ve spent five hours getting somewhere you could have driven in 160 minutes.
The ghost of the Scotia Prince
Back in the day, Maine’s waters were busier with overnight steamers and coastal transports. People remember the Scotia Prince or the old international lines and think those routes are still humming along. They aren’t. Most of those services folded as the interstate highway system got better and people prioritized their own schedules over the romance of the sea.
Is there any boat involved?
Sometimes people get confused because of the The CAT. That's the high-speed ferry operated by Bay Ferries Limited. It runs from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. It’s a cool ship. It’s fast. But it takes you to Canada, not Portland. If you’re in Portland and you want to see Bar Harbor, the Atlantic Ocean is a beautiful backdrop for your drive, but it isn't your highway.
How to actually get from Portland to Bar Harbor
Since the Portland to Bar Harbor ferry isn't an option, you have to look at the tarmac. You've basically got three real choices, and each one changes the "vibe" of your Maine vacation entirely.
- The Route 1 Slog (The Scenic Way): This is what most people picture when they think of Maine. It takes you through Wiscasset, Camden, and Rockland. It is gorgeous. It is also a nightmare in July. You will sit in traffic. You will stare at the bumper of a camper van from Ohio for forty minutes while trying to cross the bridge in Wiscasset.
- The I-95 Sprint: This is for people who just want to get to Acadia. You take 95 North to Bangor, then hit Route 1A South into Ellsworth. It’s boring. It’s mostly trees and asphalt. But it is consistent.
- The Bus: Concord Coach Lines runs a service from the Portland Transportation Center to Bar Harbor. It’s affordable and you don't have to worry about parking—which, honestly, might be the biggest "pro" on this list.
Why the drive beats a ferry anyway
I know, I know. You wanted the salt spray. But here's the thing about the drive: Maine’s midcoast is where the character is. If you were on a ferry, you'd miss the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland. You'd miss the view from the top of Mount Battie in Camden. Driving allows you to "ebb and flow" with the landscape.
Logistics you need to know for the trip
If you're heading up from Portland, don't just wing it. Bar Harbor has changed a lot in the last few years. It's crowded. Like, "Disney World for hikers" crowded.
Vehicle Reservations are a thing now
If you're going to Bar Harbor to see Acadia National Park, you can't just drive up Cadillac Mountain whenever you want. Between May and October, you need a vehicle reservation. They sell out weeks in advance. If you arrive in Bar Harbor thinking you’ll just "catch the sunrise," and you don't have that QR code on your phone, the rangers will turn you around at the gate. It's heartbreaking to watch.
The "Island Explorer" is your best friend
Since you can't take a ferry from Portland, once you get to Bar Harbor, act like you're on one. The Island Explorer is a free shuttle system that runs all over the park and the town. It’s clean, it’s efficient, and it saves you from the absolute hell of trying to find a parking spot at Jordan Pond. Seriously, leave the car at your hotel or the Hulls Cove Visitor Center.
Common misconceptions about Maine's ferries
It’s easy to see why people search for a Portland to Bar Harbor ferry. Maine has a lot of boats. But they are mostly "functional" ferries rather than "transit" ferries.
- Casco Bay Lines: These boats run out of Portland, but they only go to the local islands like Peaks, Little Diamond, and Cliff Island. They don't leave the bay.
- Maine State Ferry Service: These run out of Rockland, Lincolnville, and Bass Harbor. They go to places like Vinalhaven and Swan's Island. Again, they are short hops, not coastal cruisers.
- The Bar Harbor Ferry: There is a boat called the Bar Harbor Ferry, but it runs from Bar Harbor to Winter Harbor (Schoodic Peninsula). It’s a great way to see the "quiet side" of the park, but it won't help you get back to Portland.
Where to stay if you're disappointed
If you really had your heart set on a maritime-heavy trip and the lack of a Portland to Bar Harbor ferry has bummed you out, pivot your itinerary.
Stay in the Old Port in Portland for two nights. Take the mail boat run with Casco Bay Lines. It takes about three hours and gives you that "life at sea" feeling without actually going anywhere. Then, make the drive to Bar Harbor, but stop in Castine. It’s a detour, but it’s one of the most perfectly preserved maritime villages in the country. It feels like 1820 in the best way possible.
Better ways to spend your transit time
Since you'll be driving instead of sailing, make it count. Don't just stop for lobster rolls.
✨ Don't miss: Inn at St John's Plymouth Detroit: What Most People Get Wrong
Look for the "hidden" Maine. Stop at Beth’s Farm Market in Warren for strawberries that actually taste like strawberries. Check out the Center for Maine Contemporary Art in Rockland. These are the things you’d miss if you were three miles offshore on a ferry.
The Maine coast isn't a straight line; it's a jagged, fractured mess of granite and tide. That's why the road follows the curves and the boats stay in their specific bays. Trying to force a ferry route between Portland and Bar Harbor is trying to simplify a landscape that refuses to be simple.
Actionable steps for your Maine coastal trip
Stop looking for ferry tickets that don't exist and start securing the logistics that do.
- Book your Acadia Vehicle Reservation: Go to Recreation.gov exactly 90 days before your trip, or check for the secondary "release" 2 days before you arrive at 10:00 AM ET.
- Download the "Island Explorer" App: Map out the routes before you get there so you know which bus takes you to the Beehive Trailhead and which one goes to the Sand Beach.
- Pin your Route 1 Pitstops: If you're driving during peak season (July/August), plan to hit the midcoast "chokepoints" like Wiscasset before 10:00 AM or after 6:00 PM to avoid the worst traffic.
- Check the Windjammer Cruises: If you want a real boat experience in Bar Harbor, book a trip on the Margaret Todd. It’s a four-masted schooner. It’s not a ferry, but it’s the closest you’ll get to that "sailing the Maine coast" dream.
- Verify the CAT Ferry Schedule: If you actually wanted to go to Canada, make sure your passport is ready and check the Bay Ferries website for the current season's departure times from Bar Harbor.