LL Bean Freeport from Portland cruise terminal

Hi- and thanks in advance-

Does anyone know the best way to get to the LL Bean flagship store from the Portland cruise terminal? Would a taxi be crazily expensive? Are there shuttle buses? Should I rent a car?

Hoping someone can help :cool:

There is no shuttle to LL Bean in Freeport from Portland. Also, there is no public transportation for the trip either. Your only choices are taxi, car rental, cruise ship excursion, or group van rental.

The distance is just under 20 miles and travel time by Interstate 295 about 20-25 minutes.

A taxi fare finder site estimated the one way fare to be about $45.00.

SBtS

There is no shuttle to LL Bean in Freeport from Portland. Also, there is no public transportation for the trip either. Your only choices are taxi, car rental, cruise ship excursion, or group van rental.

 

The distance is just under 20 miles and travel time by Interstate 295 about 20-25 minutes.

 

A taxi fare finder site estimated the one way fare to be about $45.00.

 

 

SBtS

Thank you! Thank you so much for your help. So a rental car has to beat $90. Checking rentals now. I honestly would not bother- especially on Day One of a cruise- but for us it's the second half of a B2B, my son received a gift cert for his birthday, and believe it or not he really wants to see the store.

Thanks you.

Here are the google results from rental car + Portland Maine. Can you tell me which is the closest to the cruise port?

TIA

Here are the google results from rental car + Portland Maine. Can you tell me which is the closest to the cruise port?

 

TIA

Where are the results?

Anyway I Googled and the closest agency is Enterprise, 1 Marginal Way. I think you could walk there; the distance is about 1.5 miles.

SBtS

You may find it easier to just take the bus transport arranged by the cruise line. They will likely offer transport for a day on your own in Freeport. If you like to shop, there are lots of other stores besides LL Bean.

You may find it easier to just take the bus transport arranged by the cruise line. They will likely offer transport for a day on your own in Freeport. If you like to shop, there are lots of other stores besides LL Bean.

This is what I opted for. Less headache, more relaxation.

We have booked a mini van through Enterprise for $112 taxes & fees included. They will pick us up at the cruise port. For us it's more economical since there are three of us for sure and maybe our two friends who are on the same cruise. With a five year-old, this gives us a bit more freedom too, versus an organized tour.

You shouldn't have any problem finding a place to park, either. LLB has parking lots behind and beside their stores (home store, flagship store, bike/boat store). Be sure to hit the factory store, too... it's across Main Street.

Where are the results?

 

Anyway I Googled and the closest agency is Enterprise, 1 Marginal Way. I think you could walk there; the distance is about 1.5 miles.

 

 

SBtS

The walk isn't as easy as it appears on a map but no worries. As another poster mentioned, Enterprise will pick you up.

Wow- forgot I started this thread! We ended up taking a taxi from the pier. It was $40 each way, which- when you factor in the ease- was well worth it. We hung out in Freeport for a bit, it's nice- then went back. I would never have gone if my son hadn't been begging me but we liked it!

If your cruise ship calls at Portland, Maine, it will likely offer a bus excursion to the nearby town of Freeport, home to famed outdoor retailer LL Bean

https://m.llbean.com/store.html?id=freeport&categoryId=1000001704

and adjacent factory outlet shops like Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Coach, Polo Ralph Lauren as well as an LL Bean outlet.

http://www.onefreeportvillagestation.com/store-directory

The cost of the round-trip bus excursion offered by my cruise ship was $39 per person, which is outrageous. :eek:(n)

Note that there is now a public bus service known as "METRO BREEZ" which has several stops in Portland, including one at the corner of Congress and India Streets, a short walk from the Portland cruise terminal :ship: . The METRO BREEZ bus brings you directly to the LL Bean flagship at 95 Main Street in Freeport (following a brief interim stop in Yarmouth.) The ride is about half an hour each way.

http://gpmetrobus.net/index.php/metro-news/yarmouth-freeport-bus-service

The public bus fare is only $3.00 !! (y)

The 2017 schedule and route map can be accessed here:

http://gpmetrobus.net/images/stories/route-maps-pdf/2017-Route-BREEZ-spread.pdf

Note that in future years the above URL may change, so search for items named "BREEZ" here:

http://gpmetrobus.net/images/stories/route-maps-pdf/

The bus stop pickup in Portland is located across Congress street from the http://mainejewishmuseum.org and a very nice independent bookshop

http://www.printbookstore.com

Look for the small BREEZ sign posted on the bus stop on Congress opposite the foot of Smith street:

https://goo.gl/maps/JZzJ56GjsKR2

The return bus from Freeport is located directly outside the excellent "Coffee By Design" :hot-beverage: shop on the lower level of LL Bean at 95 Main Street.

https://www.coffeebydesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/FP_ext01.jpg

Note, however, that the BREEZ bus would not be able to accommodate every cruiser who would want to visit Freeport. On my cruise there were about a dozen of us who turned up at Congress & India for our $3 public bus, while a much larger number had paid for the $39 cruise excursion on chartered buses. So be sure to get to the bus stop early, and don't broadcast too loudly among your shipmates the existence of this bargain!:lips-sealed:

This is a 4 year old post that you pulled out for your first post. I assume the OP has already cruised and done what they expected to.

This is a 4 year old post that you pulled out for your first post. I assume the OP has already cruised and done what they expected to.

I intended this information for any future cruisers who may wish to visit Freeport while their ship is in Portland, without being "ripped-off" on an overpriced "excursion" courtesy of their cruise line.

Individuals who are searching for information on such transportation options may find the above 4-year-old item which states:

There is no shuttle to LL Bean in Freeport from Portland. Also, there is no public transportation for the trip either. Your only choices are taxi, car rental, cruise ship excursion, or group van rental.

http://news.keepmecurrent.com/its-a-breez-metro-kicks-off-its-new-bus-service-with-first-day-fete/

My family saved close to $200 by taking the $3 bus rather than the "excursion" offered by the cruise ship. I'd rather spend this money at the shops in Freeport than on an overpriced bus ride!:D;):hearteyes: