Flying into Bar Harbor

Just beginning to do research and was wondering if it%26#39;s possible to tour Bar Harbor without a car. We would be flying in. Flights also go to Bangor----what about transportation to Bar Harbor. Any ideas of hotels in Bar Harbor not too expensive. We are pretty flexable as to when to go...we can go in June or August or September etc. Tours? things to do?

Thanks

Flying into Bar Harbor

While I have never done it, the answer would be yes in August and September. June would depend on when. Late June yes, early June no.

Check the Island Explorer buses. Free propane powered bus transportation around Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island. They even run a bus route to the Bar Harbor Airport. They can even haul your bike if you chose to rent one for the day.

See www.exploreacadia.com

For things to do, see my recent reply on the Acadia National Park board at tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g143010-i2947-k243…

Enjoy.

Flying into Bar Harbor

Hi. It is possible to spend time here without a car, but be warned that the Island Explorer does not go EVERYWHERE - and you will be limited by the bus schedule. Around the Park Loop Road, the buses come about every 15-30 minutes so it%26#39;s pretty easy to pick up a bus at the end of a hiking trail. Once you travel through Southwest Harbor or down to Bass Harbor to the lighthouse or to Thurston%26#39;s Lobster Pound, the buses only come once an hour. The buses also don%26#39;t go to the top of Cadillac Mountain, but other tour buses do and there are also many ways to hike up that are moderate to difficult to do. If you are physically active, you can also rent bikes for the day and explore the Carriage Roads through Acadia.

Flights into Bar Harbor are pretty expensive. The Island Explorer goes to the Airport.

Also, there is a Bar Harbor-Bangor Airport shuttle. It is fairly inexpensive. http://www.barharborshuttle.com/

I think that mid to late June and early September are the best times to come. Everything is open and it%26#39;s on the shoulder of the busy season. I also enjoy Bar Harbor in August. Yes, there are more people, but on it%26#39;s worse day, it%26#39;s nothing like Disney World!

If you are interested in staying in a hotel, I would recommend The Bar Harbor Motel. It%26#39;s located a couple miles outside the village area of Bar Harbor and it has a wonderful reputation. It%26#39;s family owned and it%26#39;s been here for many years. They do not offer breakfast.

If you are interested in a Bed and Breakfast, some that I would recommend are the Hearthside Inn, Aysgarth Station, Primrose Inn, or Canterbury Cottage. You can go to sleepbarharbor.com to read about the inns and check their availability. There are also several more to choose from if those don%26#39;t fit your needs. Most of the B%26amp;B%26#39;s are located right in the village of Bar Harbor so you can walk to shopping, dining, and the bus.

Regarding the Island Explorer, I haven%26#39;t seen a 2009 schedule yet but ordinarily, it begins operation on the third weekend of June, which this year would put it at the 20th.

As others have noted, the service is free but they do ask that you purchase a park pass. See:

http://www.nps.gov/acad

for information on park programs, fees, etc.

Thanks for all the info. I will check all of this out.