Getting to the Seacoast: Airports, Buses and Car Services

Portsmouth is one of the easiest places in New Hampshire to visit without a car of your own, and one of the most frustrating places to drive in on a summer Saturday. The downtown is compact and walkable, parking near Market Square fills quickly, and a good share of visitors arrive from Boston or its airport. Knowing your options before you go saves money and stress. This guide covers Portsmouth NH transportation from start to finish: how to get to the Seacoast by air, bus or train, how to get around once you are here, and a few local transportation businesses from our directory worth knowing about.

Flying in: choosing an airport

There is no single "right" airport for the Seacoast. Most visitors choose among three, depending on where they are coming from and what fares look like.

Boston Logan International Airport is the largest nearby airport and usually has the widest choice of flights. From Logan, many Seacoast travelers take a direct bus rather than renting a car (see C&J below).

Manchester-Boston Regional Airport sits about 3 miles south of downtown Manchester, on the border with Londonderry. It is owned by the city of Manchester. For travelers heading to the Seacoast, it can be a less hectic alternative to Logan, though you will need a car or ground transportation for the drive east.

Portsmouth International Airport at Pease is the closest, about one nautical mile west of downtown Portsmouth. Formerly known as Pease International Airport, it is owned by the Pease Development Authority and shares its runway with the Pease Air National Guard Base. The airport sits within the Pease International Tradeport, the redevelopment of the former Pease Air Force Base. Commercial service there is limited compared with the larger airports, so check which airlines are currently flying before building a trip around it.

Private charter is another option for some travelers. Air New England, listed in our directory, is a private charter company flying a fleet that includes Beechcraft King Air turboprops, a Beechcraft Baron and a Cessna Citation Mustang light jet for leisure and business trips around New England and beyond. It is a niche choice, but useful for groups or tight schedules.

By bus: C&J to Logan, Boston and New York

For many visitors, the most convenient link between Boston and the Seacoast is a bus. C&J Bus Lines is an intercity and charter bus operator headquartered in Portsmouth. It runs scheduled service between Dover, Portsmouth and Seabrook in New Hampshire and major hubs including Boston Logan International Airport, Boston's South Station and New York City.

A few reasons travelers like it:

• Guaranteed seating. The date and time on your ticket reserve your spot on that bus.
• Mobile ticketing. You show a ticket on your phone to the driver.
• Onboard comforts. C&J describes its buses as having plush seating, Wi-Fi and power outlets.
• Family-friendly airport travel. C&J has offered a promotion in which one child under 16 rides free to Logan with a full-fare adult; check current terms before you book.

If you are flying into Logan, a bus to Portsmouth can be simpler than renting a car and paying for parking downtown. Check the current schedule on C&J's site, especially for early-morning or late-night flights.

By train: the Downeaster

The Amtrak Downeaster is a 145-mile passenger train service between North Station in Boston and Brunswick, Maine, operating several daily round trips with intermediate stops along the way. It is managed by the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, an agency of the state of Maine. Exeter is the busiest Downeaster station in New Hampshire.

The train does not run into downtown Portsmouth, so you will need a short drive, rideshare or other connection from a nearby station. It is still an excellent choice if you are coming from Boston's North Station or from Maine, or if you are combining a Seacoast visit with time in Exeter.

Getting around locally: COAST buses

Once you are on the Seacoast, COAST, the Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation, is the region's primary public transit provider. Founded in 1981 as a non-profit agency, COAST runs public routes across southeastern New Hampshire and parts of southern Maine.

Its system includes regional routes connecting Dover, Rochester, Somersworth, Newington and Portsmouth, along with trolley routes serving parts of Portsmouth and the Pease International Tradeport. COAST also offers ADA paratransit and other services. Its website has an online trip planner and schedules, which are the best way to check current routes and fares.

For visitors, COAST is most useful for reaching Portsmouth from other Seacoast towns, or for getting between downtown and Pease without driving.

On the water: Portsmouth Water Taxi

Portsmouth sits on the Piscataqua River and its harbor, so some trips are easier by boat. Portsmouth Water Taxi offers water taxi service, private boat rides, scenic cruises, harbor tours and charters around Portsmouth Harbor and the Piscataqua River. Its service area includes New Castle, Rye, Portsmouth, Kittery, Eliot, York, Newington and Dover, and it can pick up from private moorings or docks. Pricing is listed per group rather than per person.

A water taxi is a fun way to reach a waterfront restaurant, see the harbor from a new angle, or simply give the kids a boat ride. Service is seasonal and weather-dependent, so book ahead.

Groups and events: Seacoast Trolley Company

For larger groups, Seacoast Trolley Company is a long-running, Portsmouth-based private tour and transit company. It operates trolley tours and charters for groups of 15 or more, serves a local area, and typically runs a season from mid-April through Halloween, weather permitting. It is a good fit for weddings, reunions, corporate outings and group sightseeing. The company asks that initial inquiries be made by email.

Driving and parking

If you do drive, plan ahead:

• Arrive early on summer weekends, when downtown parking fills by late morning.
• Use a garage rather than circling for street spaces.
• Park once and walk. Downtown Portsmouth, Market Square and the waterfront are close together.
• Leave time for traffic near the bridges and on the main highways on summer Friday and Sunday afternoons.

Sample arrival plans

Flying into Logan: Take C&J directly to Portsmouth, walk or take a short ride to your lodging, and skip the rental car for a downtown-focused weekend.

Coming from Boston without flying: Take the Downeaster from North Station to Exeter, spend some time there, then continue to Portsmouth by car or rideshare.

Arriving with a group: Book a Seacoast Trolley charter for sightseeing, and use a water taxi for an evening harbor outing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the closest airport to Portsmouth, NH?

Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, about one nautical mile west of downtown. Commercial service there is limited, so many visitors use Logan or Manchester-Boston instead.

How do I get from Logan Airport to Portsmouth without a car?

C&J Bus Lines runs scheduled buses between Logan and Portsmouth. Check C&J's website for current times.

Does the Amtrak Downeaster stop in Portsmouth?

No. It runs between Boston's North Station and Brunswick, Maine, with stops in New Hampshire including Exeter.

Is there public transit in Portsmouth?

Yes. COAST runs regional bus routes and trolley routes in and around Portsmouth and the Seacoast.

Sources

• Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, Wikipedia (location, ownership, joint use, Tradeport): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portsmouth_International_Airport_at_Pease
• Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, Wikipedia (location, ownership): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester%E2%80%93Boston_Regional_Airport
• Downeaster (train), Wikipedia (route, length, management, Exeter): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downeaster_(train)
• C&J Bus Lines, Wikipedia (headquarters, NH stops, hubs): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%26J_Bus_Lines
• C&J official site (guaranteed seating, mobile ticketing, amenities, Logan child promotion): https://www.ridecj.com
• Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation, Wikipedia (founding, service area, routes): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooperative_Alliance_for_Seacoast_Transportation
• COAST official site (routes, trip planner, services): https://coastbus.org/
• Portsmouth Water Taxi official site (services, service area, group pricing): https://portsmouthwatertaxi.com/
• Seacoast Trolley Company official site (group size, season, contact): https://seacoasttrolley.com
• Air New England official site (charter services, fleet): https://airnewengland.com/