A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Virginia Beach vs. Portland, Maine for Beaches, Families, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a fun-filled, relaxing, and bustling coastal city. Virginia Beach offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife and beaches. See Virginia Beach travel costs.

Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine is a seaside, laid-back, and scenic coastal town. The beauty of Portland, Maine is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Portland, Maine travel costs.

Virginia Beach and Portland, Maine: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Portland, Maine than Virginia Beach. While Virginia Beach is larger than Portland, Maine, Portland, Maine has more sights and attractions for tourists. Portland, Maine is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Virginia Beach is known for its resorts. Virginia Beach is popular for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe. Portland, Maine is popular for its seafood restaurants, scenic lighthouse, and coastal walks. It is also home to The Portland Head Light.

How is Virginia Beach different from Portland, Maine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Portland, Maine and Virginia Beach. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is the Food Better in Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Portland, Maine is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Portland, Maine has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The town has grown into a foodie destination that takes advantage of its waterfront setting. Many restaurants make use of the fresh seafood with lobster rolls and oysters on the half shell being popular. You'll also find a lot of dishes that use haddock and whole lobsters.

Virginia Beach may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Seafood is plentiful around town and there are all-you-can-eat buffets as well as high end, waterfront seafood restaurants. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.

Is Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Virginia Beach and Portland, Maine.

If you're looking for night time activities Virginia Beach has a few options to choose from. While it's a family-friendly beach, there's still a great nightlife scene with many bars and clubs in the area. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Portland, Maine. The city has many microbreweries, wine bars, taverns, and pubs. You'll find many places concentrated in the Old Port, which has a charming and fun atmosphere.

Is Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine Better for Resorts?

Virginia Beach is a popular place for its resorts. However, Portland, Maine is not a resort destination.

Virginia Beach has a few great resort options. Some of the best resorts in the area include the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and The Founders Inn and Spa.

Portland, Maine is not a resort destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine Better for Beaches?

Portland, Maine is great for the beach. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for the beach.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Portland, Maine. It has many sandy and calm beaches. The water may be too cold to swim, but the beaches are perfect for flying a kite or hanging out with family.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Virginia Beach. The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf and the water temperature is usually warm enough to swim well into the fall months.

Is Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine Better for Hiking?

Portland, Maine is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Virginia Beach is not a hiking destination.

Portland, Maine has hiking trails worth exploring. In addition to bike trails, there are several good hikes in the area.

Virginia Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine?

Portland, Maine is a nice place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Portland, Maine. The town has many nice local boutiques to explore. Head downtown for the best local venues and the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine More Beautiful?

Portland, Maine is great for its scenery and beauty. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its scenery and beauty.

The beauty of Portland, Maine is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Set against the water's edge, the town offers many beautiful scenes and picturesque settings.

Virginia Beach offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As a developed beach town, the city has its share of hotels along the beach, but it is still a beautiful setting to explore.

Is Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine Better for Families?

Virginia Beach is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Virginia Beach is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches. It attracts families in the area for its long beaches and fun atmosphere. Most restaurants have kid's menus and there are ice cream shops and minigolf around.

Portland, Maine offers lots of family activities. It is a charming town with a number of kid-friendly museums, walks, and waterfront activities. You can visit the Portland Observatory, Bug Light Park, or grab ice cream in the Old Port. There are also children's museums such as the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine.

Is Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine Better for Couples?

Virginia Beach and Portland, Maine are both good to visit as a couple.

Virginia Beach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk. There are many great seafood restaurants, some with waterfront settings. There's also a variety of activities ranging from many golf to dance clubs.

Portland, Maine is a good coastal city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy the beautiful waterfront setting, the fine dining restaurants, and everything that the city has to offer. Head to the Old Port for romantic restaurants and a great atmosphere or catch a show at Portland Stage.

Is Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine Better for Students?

Virginia Beach is a popular place for students. However, Portland, Maine is not popular with students.

Virginia Beach is popular with students. It's not as popular as more southern beach towns, but you'll still find students heading here for the spring break holidays.

Portland, Maine is not popular with students.

Is Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Virginia Beach. There is very limited public transit in the area so you'll need to have a car to get around.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Portland, Maine. There is a very basic bus system but you really must have a car to explore the city.

Is Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine a more walkable city?

Virginia Beach and Portland, Maine are decent when it comes to walkability.

Virginia Beach is generally not a very walkable coastal city. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.

Portland, Maine is generally not very walkable. Downtown is very walkable but if you want to travel to other areas you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Virginia Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Portland, Maine Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Portland, Maine or Virginia Beach?

How long in Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Virginia Beach and Portland, Maine. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Virginia Beach than in Portland, Maine. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Virginia Beach, and 2-3 days is enough time in Portland, Maine.

Families should spend more time in Virginia Beach than Portland, Maine. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Virginia Beach, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Portland, Maine than Virginia Beach. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Portland, Maine that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Portland, Maine than Virginia Beach if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Portland, Maine.

One day in Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine?

The relaxing destination of Virginia Beach offers nightlife. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Portland, Maine, you'll find nightlife and food. Most people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine?

The coastal city of Virginia Beach offers nightlife. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Portland, Maine is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine?

Virginia Beach is a great place to explore. This coastal city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Portland, Maine. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine?

The fun-filled coastal city of Virginia Beach offers nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the coastal town of Portland, Maine. It's also a great beach destination, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Virginia Beach and Portland, Maine, we can see that Portland, Maine is more expensive. And not only is Virginia Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Virginia Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia Beach and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Portland, Maine would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portland, Maine than you might in Virginia Beach.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Virginia Beach Expensive? and Is Portland, Maine Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Portland, Maine. When comparing the sizes of Virginia Beach and Portland, Maine, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Virginia Beach as well as Portland, Maine. Many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Portland, Maine for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Virginia Beach is a little warmer than Portland, Maine. Typically, the summer temperatures in Virginia Beach in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Portland, Maine averages at about 69°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland, Maine. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Virginia Beach this time of the year. In the summer, Virginia Beach often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Portland, Maine. Virginia Beach gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland, Maine receives 282 hours of full sun.

Virginia Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Virginia Beach usually gets more rain in July than Portland, Maine. Virginia Beach gets 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine in the Autumn?

Both Portland, Maine and Virginia Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Portland, Maine because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Virginia Beach is generally much warmer than Portland, Maine. Daily temperatures in Virginia Beach average around 62°F (16°C), and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Portland, Maine during autumn. Virginia Beach gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Portland, Maine receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Virginia Beach usually receives around the same amount of rain as Portland, Maine. Virginia Beach gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine in the Winter?

Both Portland, Maine and Virginia Beach during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the cuisine. Also, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Portland, Maine this time of year.

It's quite cold in Portland, Maine in the winter. The weather in Virginia Beach can be very cold. Virginia Beach is much warmer than Portland, Maine in the winter. The daily temperature in Virginia Beach averages around 39°F (4°C) in January, and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).

In the winter, Virginia Beach often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Portland, Maine. Virginia Beach gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland, Maine receives 163 hours of full sun.

Virginia Beach usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Portland, Maine. Virginia Beach gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Portland, Maine in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Virginia Beach and Portland, Maine. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Portland, Maine for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Virginia Beach is much warmer than Portland, Maine. Typically, the spring temperatures in Virginia Beach in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Portland, Maine averages at about 43°F (6°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland, Maine this time of the year. In Virginia Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. Virginia Beach usually receives more sunshine than Portland, Maine during spring. Virginia Beach gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Portland, Maine receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Virginia Beach usually receives less rain than Portland, Maine. Virginia Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Portland, Maine and Virginia Beach