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 5 km from the city center. The shortest domestic flight to Portsmouth departs from Washington, D.C. and takes around 1h 30m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Portsmouth, followed by Acela. The train journey from Portsmouth to New Haven takes 2h 28m and costs around $17 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Hartford, expect to pay about $27 for a 4h 01m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Portsmouth is to pick up a car rental from Boston, which is about 83 km 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, Bus and FlixBus. From Portland, the bus ride to Portsmouth takes 209 km and will cost you around $54. From New York, the ticket costs about $29 for a journey of 383 km. The most popular bus station is Portsmouth Bus Station, located 4 km from downtown Portsmouth. Portsmouth Hanover Station is also a commonly used station, and is 0.8 km from the city center.

Plane

When flying to Portsmouth, you’ll arrive at Portsmouth Pease Intl (PSM), which is located 5 km from the city center. The shortest domestic flight to Portsmouth departs from Washington, D.C. and takes around 1h 30m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Portsmouth, followed by Acela. The train journey from Portsmouth to New Haven takes 2h 28m and costs around $17 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Hartford, expect to pay about $27 for a 4h 01m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Portsmouth is to pick up a car rental from Boston, which is about 83 km 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, Bus and FlixBus. From Portland, the bus ride to Portsmouth takes 209 km and will cost you around $54. From New York, the ticket costs about $29 for a journey of 383 km. The most popular bus station is Portsmouth Bus Station, located 4 km from downtown Portsmouth. Portsmouth Hanover Station is also a commonly used station, and is 0.8 km from the city center.

Airports near Portsmouth

BOSBoston Logan Intl
PWMPortland
MHTManchester

Airlines serving Portsmouth

KLM
Good (1,477 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,864 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,813 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,321 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,276 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,903 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,150 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,550 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,470 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (902 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,543 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,722 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,732 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,836 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,182 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,374 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (393 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,429 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,175 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,228 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 $59 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 224% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Where to stay in popular areas of Portsmouth

Most booked hotels in Portsmouth

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The Water Street Inn
3 stars
Excellent (9, 176 reviews)
$108+
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Hampton Inn & Suites Portsmouth/Downtown
3 stars
Excellent (8.9, 1187 reviews)
$109+
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Hampton Inn & Suites Kittery-Portsmouth
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, 474 reviews)
$113+
View
Kittery Inn and Suites
2 stars
Excellent (8.5, 1067 reviews)
$68+
View
Fairfield Inn by Marriott Portsmouth Seacoast
3 stars
Excellent (8.3, 338 reviews)
$99+
View
Hampton Inn Portsmouth Central
3 stars
Excellent (8.2, 607 reviews)
$110+
View

Renting a car in Portsmouth

Renting a car in Portsmouth costs $65 per day, on average, or $131 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 3% more expensive than at Boston Logan Intl.

Expect to pay $4.09 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 $49.06 and $65.41. Compact (Nissan Versa or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Portsmouth, while also 55% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Portsmouth costs $65 per day, on average, or $131 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 3% more expensive than at Boston Logan Intl.

Expect to pay $4.09 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 $49.06 and $65.41. Compact (Nissan Versa or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Portsmouth, while also 55% cheaper than other types, on average.

Best car rental deals in Portsmouth

Economy

2 Adults, 2 Bags

$34/day

Economy

Intermediate

5 Adults, 3 Bags

$35/day

Intermediate
Find car rentals in Portsmouth