My boyfriend and I will be heading to Baxter in June to start our southbound hike. We are flying to Maine from Austin but I’m not sure which airport to fly into, or if I should rent a car or take a bus to get to the park. Any suggestions? I could really use the help.
Allison
Look at the ALDHA Companion or Wingfoot’s handbook.
About the only public transportation in Maine is bus. There is bus service from Boston, Portland, and Augusta to Medway. From there, catch a taxi into Millinocket. Or, you could hitch. Thru-hikers do a lot of hitching into towns along the AT.
Peaks
Fly into Portland, Me. Take Cyr Bus Lines to Medway. When you get off the bus, look for a cab to take you into Millinocket (if you don’t see a cab, the restaurant/bus station can call you one). You will need the cab again for the ride from Millinocket to BSP (Rainbow Springs Campground).
It’s about 20-25 miles from Millinocket to BSP. Might not be that easy of a hitch. Depending upon the day of week there may not be that much vehicle traffic.
jaws
I believe that the initial flight to Maine should be to Bangor, not to Portland. Bangor is much closer to Baxter than Portland is.
new knees
Check flights to both Bangor and Portland. It may be cheaper to fly to Portland then Bangor but Bangor is much closer and would mean less bus travel.
Big B
Try this link to obtain a pdf of people willing to drive you to trail heads.
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.jkLXJ8MQKtH/b.806835/k.10F4/Getting_to_the_Trail.htm
Courtney
Arriving at the Greyhound bus station in Bangor usually offers a good opportunity: there’ll be cabs coming in to pick up fares, and the drivers are often willing to negotiate. Offer a set price to bring you straight to the campground at Baxter (when I did it, I offered an amount equal to the cost of the bus to Medway plus the cab from Medway to Baxter… then I tipped the driver an extra $15 when we got there). If you’re traveling with one or two others, this may actually save some $$$. Just make sure the fare is agreed to beforehand – you don’t want to pay the regular rate! (Something like $1.25 per 1/6 mile!)
Teddy Roosevelt
i also suggest portland over bangor. i just looked up prices on expedia from austin to both places and portland was about $140 cheaper one-way.
when i flew home from maine, i flew out of portland.
jerm
Okay, so you are all correct about flying in to Portland. HOWEVER, if you fly in to Bangor you can drive by and see Stephen King’s house. Wouldn’t that be exciting?
jaws