Introduction
What to do
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Renting a car

Portsmouth travel guide

Portsmouth Tourism | Portsmouth Guide

You're Going to Love Portsmouth

With a population of 20,779, Portsmouth is a must-see destination in New Hampshire, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Portsmouth deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

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Where to Eat in Portsmouth

If you’re looking for affordable options, Cure Restaurant (189 State St) and Toscana Chop House (3 Pleasant St.) are great picks.

When to visit Portsmouth

Portsmouth in January
Estimated hotel price
$124
1 night at 3-star hotel
Portsmouth in January
Estimated hotel price
$124
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Portsmouth in July, when the average temperature is 69.8 °F, and the highest can go up to 78.8 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 15.8 °F, with an average temperature of 24.8 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in November, when precipitation is around 5.1″. In contrast, August is usually the driest month of the year in Portsmouth, with an average rainfall of 2.2″.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Portsmouth

Plane

When flying to Portsmouth, you’ll arrive at Portsmouth Pease Intl (PSM), which is located 3 miles from the city center. The shortest domestic flight to Portsmouth departs from Valparaiso and takes around 2h 56m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Portsmouth, followed by Acela. The train journey from Portsmouth to New Haven takes 2h 39m and costs around $22 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bridgeport, expect to pay about $17 for a 3h 02m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Portsmouth is to pick up a car rental from Boston, which is about 51 miles from Portsmouth. You’ll find branches of Turo and Movly, among others, in Boston.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Portsmouth, including OurBus, CoachRun and FlixBus. From Portland, the bus ride to Portsmouth takes 115 miles and will cost you around $56. From New York, the ticket costs about $62 for a journey of 238 miles. The most popular bus station is Portsmouth Bus Station, located 2 miles from downtown Portsmouth. Portsmouth Hanover Station is also a commonly used station, and is 0.5 miles from the city center.

Plane

When flying to Portsmouth, you’ll arrive at Portsmouth Pease Intl (PSM), which is located 3 miles from the city center. The shortest domestic flight to Portsmouth departs from Valparaiso and takes around 2h 56m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Portsmouth, followed by Acela. The train journey from Portsmouth to New Haven takes 2h 39m and costs around $22 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bridgeport, expect to pay about $17 for a 3h 02m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Portsmouth is to pick up a car rental from Boston, which is about 51 miles from Portsmouth. You’ll find branches of Turo and Movly, among others, in Boston.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Portsmouth, including OurBus, CoachRun and FlixBus. From Portland, the bus ride to Portsmouth takes 115 miles and will cost you around $56. From New York, the ticket costs about $62 for a journey of 238 miles. The most popular bus station is Portsmouth Bus Station, located 2 miles from downtown Portsmouth. Portsmouth Hanover Station is also a commonly used station, and is 0.5 miles from the city center.

Airports near Portsmouth

BOSBoston Logan Intl
PWMPortland
MHTManchester

Airlines serving Portsmouth

KLM
Good (1,492 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,900 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,865 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,302 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,392 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,916 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,174 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,564 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (905 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,555 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,748 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,559 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,727 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,907 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,185 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,381 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (399 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,193 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,428 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,262 reviews)
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Find flights to Portsmouth

Where to stay in Portsmouth

If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Howard Johnson by Wyndham Portsmouth and Anchorage Inn and Suites. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Portsmouth, with prices from $61 to $514 per night. Downtown is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Portsmouth are about 241% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Where to stay in popular areas of Portsmouth

Most booked hotels in Portsmouth

See all
Hampton Inn & Suites Portsmouth/Downtown
3 stars
Excellent (9, 1191 reviews)
$124+
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The Water Street Inn
3 stars
Excellent (9, 177 reviews)
$115+
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Hampton Inn & Suites Kittery-Portsmouth
3 stars
Excellent (8.8, 481 reviews)
$112+
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Fairfield Inn by Marriott Portsmouth Seacoast
3 stars
Excellent (8.3, 338 reviews)
$103+
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Hampton Inn Portsmouth Central
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, 606 reviews)
$114+
View
Port Inn and Suites Portsmouth, an Ascend Collection Hotel
3 stars
Good (7.8, 1215 reviews)
$85+
View

Renting a car in Portsmouth

Renting a car in Portsmouth costs $66 per day, on average, or $132 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 2% cheaper than airport locations in Portsmouth.

Expect to pay $4.32 per gallon in Portsmouth (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $51.78 and $69.05. The most frequently booked car type in Portsmouth is Compact (Toyota Corolla or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Luxury rental cars (Tesla Model S or similar) are, on average, 50% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Portsmouth costs $66 per day, on average, or $132 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 2% cheaper than airport locations in Portsmouth.

Expect to pay $4.32 per gallon in Portsmouth (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $51.78 and $69.05. The most frequently booked car type in Portsmouth is Compact (Toyota Corolla or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Luxury rental cars (Tesla Model S or similar) are, on average, 50% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Best car rental deals in Portsmouth

Economy

2 Adults, 2 Bags

$35/day

Economy

Compact

4 Adults, 2 Bags

$36/day

Compact
Find car rentals in Portsmouth