How to Get to Acadia National Park from Bar Harbor

Acadia National Park is a natural area of unparalleled scenic beauty: rocky beaches, mountains, lakes, forests and a breathtaking view of the Atlantic coastline. It is one of the best things to see and do in Bar Harbor.

The park is located on Mount Desert Island in Manie, just minutes from the town of Bar Harbor. During your stay in the town you will find several means of transport to get there from the town centre. You can join a bus tour, hire a car and drive yourself, use the public transport service or a taxi, among other options. I'll tell you all about them below.

The bus tour from Bar Harbor to Acadia National Park is a popular transfer option. You will experience a comfortable and safe scenic ride, while enjoying the company of a driver-guide. Your driver-guide will tell you the history of the city and the destinations as you pass by. You won't have to worry about anything but enjoying the ride.

You'll board the air-conditioned bus in downtown Bar Harbor and, in the company of about 20 people, travel about 10 minutes to Acadia National Park. The best part is that once you're in this important natural lung, you can tour it on the same bus.

With this bus tour of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, you can visit Cadillac Mountain Peak which, at less than 1500 metres, is considered the highest peak in the park. You will also see Thunder Hole, which is an inlet carved out by the powerful waves of the Atlantic Ocean, and Sieur de Monts Spring, with its stunning scenic beauty.

Useful information

• Price: the cost of this tour is around €30 per person.
• Travel time: The transfer from downtown Bar Harbor to Acadia National Park usually takes 7-10 minutes. However, the entire tour takes about two and a half hours.
• Advantages: With the transfer through this tour you won't have to strain yourself driving or waste time waiting for public transport. In addition, you will enjoy the transfer back to the city centre.
• Disadvantages: Once in the park, you will have to adapt to the route you have been given to explore the tour, i.e. it will be more difficult to follow a personalised route.

If you're someone who likes to travel at your own pace, then a rental car is the most convenient way to get to Acadia National Park from Bar Harbor. You will be in full control of your trip and can make a few stops along the way to enjoy the views, take pictures or have a bite to eat.

There are many car rental companies in the city such as Acadia GEM, Enterprise, Hertz and many others. Just contact them and select the type of car that best suits your needs, depending on the number of people you have with you.

After that, all you have to do is make the two-mile drive to Acadia National Park. You have the option of driving along Mt Desert St and Eagle Lake Rd, Main St and Cromwell Harbor Rd or Ledgelawn Ave and Cromwell Harbor Rd.

Once you arrive at your destination, you can take a self-guided driving tour of Bar Harbor Acadia National Park. I recommend downloading an audio app to explore this beautiful natural lung. You can follow the route along the ocean and go to the Egg Rock Overlook and more.

Useful information

• Price: The cost of renting a car in Bar Harbor starts at around €40 per day. This price will depend on the type of car you have selected.
• Travel time: The drive from downtown Bar Harbor to Acadia National Park is about 7 minutes. However, please note that traffic conditions may increase significantly during this time.
• Advantages: You will be in full control of your transfer and can go directly into the park or make a few stops as you see fit.
• Disadvantages: Driving on your own can be a bit tiring for you, especially if you have just arrived in the city and want to reduce stress on your holiday.

If you plan to go to Acadia National Park from Bar Harbor during the high season, i.e. June through September, you can take advantage of the public bus service operated by Island Explorer. This is a free shuttle option, but it takes longer than other means of transport.

You'll need to head downtown, specifically Cottage Street. This is the departure point for the bus. The bus runs from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and has other stops along the Bar Harbor - Acadia National Park Route.

Once you arrive at the park, you don't have to get off immediately, as the bus offers some routes within this great wilderness area. For example, from the Hulls Cove Visitor Centre to the Jordan Pond House Restaurant. There are also stops at places like Parkman Mountain, Bubble Rock, Cadillac North Ridge Trail, etc.

This is a good alternative if you have time and want to enjoy one of the most beautiful natural areas in the United States. It's an experience you can easily incorporate into your itinerary along with the best tours and excursions in Bar Harbor, such as a Bar Harbor food tour.

Interesting information

• Price: The Island Explorer public bus service is free.
• Travel Time: The route from the stop in downtown Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park is approximately 15 minutes.
• Advantages: This type of free transfer not only allows you to get to the park from the city, but also to access some of the destinations of interest within this important natural lung.
• Disadvantages: The bus incorporates some stops and only operates during high season, when traffic conditions are at their heaviest. Therefore, the transfer may take time away from your visit schedule.

Taxis are the best option if you have little time in your itinerary to visit Acadia National Park and therefore need to go directly from downtown Bar Harbor. Also, if you want to avoid the stress of buses or driving on your own. You'll get around town quickly and comfortably.

Taxi transfers are a very flexible alternative, as they are available at any time of the day. All you have to do is contact one of the taxi companies in Bar Harbor such as: Y&P Taxi Services, Sunrise2sunset Taxi, among others. They will pick you up at your hotel door or you can go to taxi stands on downtown streets for immediate service.

Taxis are not just for Acadia National Park. It's also convenient for transfers to the airport or to the harbour for a sailing trip on the Bar Harbor Windjammer, among other things.

Useful Information

• Price: A taxi ride from Bar Harbor to Acadia National Park can cost around $10.
• Travel time: Transfer time is usually 5 to 7 minutes. However, be aware that traffic conditions are unpredictable, so there may be some delays.
• Advantages: You'll travel on a direct, non-stop route from downtown to Acadia National Park.
• Disadvantages: If you bring a bicycle with you to explore the park with, you'll have to pay extra for the taxi fare.

Another way to get to Acadia National Park from Bar Harbor is by bicycle. If you enjoy two-wheeled sports, you'll enjoy touring the city at your own pace on this environmentally friendly mode of transportation. You'll have fun, exercise and get a different perspective on the road.

You can ride in the direction of Mt Desert St and Eagle Lake Rd, as well as along Mt Desert St and Eagle Lake Rd. It all depends on where you are in the city centre. Whichever route you take, you'll be heading straight to Acadia National Park.

For bike and riding gear rentals, you'll find several bike rental companies in town: Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop, Pedego Electric Bikes Bar Harbor, and more. You can connect with them via the web or visit their offices in Bar Harbor.

The best part is that there are plenty of trails to explore by bike in Bar Harbor. In fact, so popular are these trails that there are often a few bike rental places in Bar Harbor Acadia National Park. In other words, you could ride to the park on another mode of transport and rent a bike when you get there.

Useful information

• Price: The approximate cost of renting a bike in Bar Harbor is about $30 per day.
• Travel time: The average cycling time between Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park is about 20 minutes. This will depend on your riding speed.
• Pros: You'll get around town and the park in a fun way without polluting the environment.
• Disadvantages: The bike route to the park can be a bit strenuous, especially if you are not in good physical condition.

Getting from Bar Harbor to Acadia National Park is not a difficult task. There are several means of transportation in the city to get around this approximately 2.5-mile route and discover the history of this natural lung. However, it is important to take into consideration some basic tips to avoid any inconvenience.

• If you plan to hire a car, you must have a valid driving licence.
• It is necessary to reserve access to the Island Explorer public bus as, although it is free, you will not be able to board it without having fulfilled this requirement. Also, bear in mind that it only runs between June and September (high season).
• When renting a bike, you must be over 18 years of age.
• If you are overloaded when using the taxi service, you will have to pay an additional charge for this.
• Make sure to book the bus tour in advance, as this service is often very busy.