How to Get Around New Hampshire

A car is necessary. Public transport between towns is minimal, and the mountains have none at all.

Most visitors fly into Boston and drive north — about two hours to the lakes, three to the notches. The state's own regional airport in the south is the quieter alternative, with far fewer routes.

Interstate 93 runs north through Franconia Notch, narrowing to a parkway inside the state park. The Kancamagus Highway crosses the mountains east to west with no services along its length and no phone signal for much of it.

The Mount Washington Auto Road and the Cog Railway both reach the summit; the road is steep, unguarded in places and not suitable for every vehicle or every driver.

In winter, mountain roads require real winter tyres, and some seasonal roads close entirely.