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Portland to Salem bus

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Portland - Salem Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 10 intercity buses per day from Portland to Salem. Traveling by bus from Portland to Salem usually takes around one hour and 45 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in just one hour,

Distance44 mi (70 km)
Shortest duration1h 0m
Cheapest price$20.70
Trips per day7
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Thruway
Bus lines3

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for buses from Portland to Salem

(Based on 12 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Jody

January 29, 2023- Solo travel

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: Was on time and driver was very good at his job. Cons: I don't see anything needing improvement. Tips: Sit back and enjoy.

5.0

Steve

November 13, 2022- Visiting friends

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: Easy and carefree travel. Cons: Snacks. Tips: Come a bit early.

5.0

Diana

October 21, 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: Clean-Quiet-Peaceful. Cons: Nothing. Tips: Bring a snack & drink.

4.0

Bradley D

June 1, 2022- Visiting friends

Amtrak Thruway

The booking was enabled by Wanderu. Amtrak booking was impossible.

5.0

Kathleen

November 13, 2021- Business

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: Very comfortable ride. Cons: The footrests could be easier to operate.

See more details

How much is a bus ticket from Portland to Salem?

$21.16 is the average price of a bus ticket from Portland to Salem. This is currently one of the best deals in bus travel. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.

Average prices by travel date

$41$28$14AprApr

Over the next four weeks, the average ticket price of a bus from Portland to Salem is expected to range from $23 to $30. If you are looking to travel to Salem within the next week, you can find bus tickets starting from $26. The cheapest bus tickets in the next month are $23 and can be found on May 4, 2024.

Monthly average prices

$35$28$21$14$7MJJASONDJFMA
Bus tickets from Portland to Salem are at their cheapest average price in January. This time of year usually offers the best deals on bus tickets for this route, with ticket prices around $21. On the other hand, traveling on this route during October might cost you a bit more than usual. Bus tickets for October trips cost $32, on average. But no need to stress — booking your bus ticket in advance can help you snag cheaper tickets.

Prices as travel date approaches

$35$28$21$14$73020100

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. The best way to find cheap bus tickets is to book at least 23 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save C$7.63 on your bus ticket compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from Portland to Salem?

There are 3 bus lines from Portland to Salem available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 4 daily trips, Amtrak Thruway usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway41h 37m$23.16
FlixBus US31h 9m$23.76
Pacific Crest Bus Lines42h 13m$30.37

  • Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from Portland to Salem start at $21. On average, there are 4 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

  • FlixBus US is the American branch of German bus company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern bus travel. The company offers cheap bus tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US buses include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 3 trips per day from Portland to Salem, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • Book Pacific Crest Bus Lines from Portland to Salem from $30. There are 4 Pacific Crest Bus Lines schedules from Portland to Salem and you can expect on average to pay for a Pacific Crest Bus Lines ticket to Salem. In Portland, Pacific Crest Bus Lines departs to Salem from 1090 Nw Station Way and 2 other stations. In Salem, Pacific Crest Bus Lines arrives at 500 13th St. S.E. and no other station.

    An average trip on Pacific Crest Bus Lines from Portland to Salem takes 2 hours and 13 minutes , while the fastest available Pacific Crest Bus Lines trip will get you to Salem in 1 hours and 0 minutes .

    On weekends, Pacific Crest Bus Lines offers 4 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Salem.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of one hour and 45 minutes to cover the 70 kilometers from Portland to Salem. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour. You'll have just enough time for a small nap on this relatively short bus trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

Thursday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Thursday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Friday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 7:00am and the last bus leaves at 7:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Portland to Salem, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 10 scheduled buses that travel from Portland to Salem every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 7 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Portland to Salem; ticket prices start at $13.80.

City Information

Portland

Portland, OR - PDX-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Portland, OR - PDX-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Portland, OR - PDX-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Portland is the largest city in Oregon and accordingly one of the state's best vacation destinations. Also known as the City of Roses, this city along the Willamette River wows visitors with its diverse street food, quirky counterculture, and sprawling bookstores such as the world-famous Powell's Books.

Portland is the 5th best city in the United States for outdoor activities, thanks in part to open-air grounds like the expansive Forest Park. Gardens are also excellent outdoor date locales for couples on a romantic getaway: stop and smell the roses at either the International Rose Test Garden or the Portland Japanese Garden.

Once you've gotten hungry from a long day wandering outside, nearly every block downtown has a plethora of food trucks waiting to tickle your taste buds. Or, kick back at one of the many breweries in the #3 best city for craft beer in the United States. Unique locations like McMenamin's brewpubs in renovated cinemas or historic hotels do their part to "keep Portland weird."

As the biggest city in Oregon, Portland is a hub for travel throughout the Pacific Northwest. Amtrak train service and various bus services operate primarily out of Union Station, conveniently-located downtown, and nearby Portland International Airport makes it easy to travel to Portland from near and far.

Salem

Salem, OR, US - SAM-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Salem is the capital of Oregon and one of the state's best vacation destinations. Nestled in the Willamette Valley, the city is rich with outdoor activities, diverse cuisine, and sites reflecting Oregon's history.

The Deepwood Estate, a mansion built in 1893, runs tours that share early Salem history. Explore the surrounding gardens at Deepwood or walk the many paths in Bush's Pasture Park to discover their lush plant life. The Willamette River that runs through Salem is a gorgeous spot to fish, kayak, or board the historic Willamette Queen steamboat for a dinner cruise.

Salem's charming downtown overflows with local coffee shops, cafés, and restaurants serving fresh fare and the best wines from the Willamette Valley. The Saturday Farmers Market near the state capitol serves up fresh produce alongside live music and food trucks.

Many bus services operate in Salem, including Jefferson Lines, FlixBus, Shuttle Oregon, and the Amtrak Thruway. Amtrak's Coast Starlight line also stops in Salem, heading to LA and Seattle, as well as the Cascades, going to Vancouver and Eugene, Oregon.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Portland?

Union Station - 800 NW 6th Ave - PDXAMT-0

Image credit: Ian Sane

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Union Station

Located in Portland’s Old Town Chinatown area at 800 Northwest Sixth Avenue, Union Station features a glowing neon sign encouraging you to “Go By Train.” Union Station serves several iconic Amtrak routes including the Cascades through the Pacific Northwest, the scenic Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to Seattle, and the long-distance Empire Builder which travels all the way to Chicago. Along with train service, Union Station serves intercity bus service via Greyhound, and connects to the Portland Streetcar, MAX Light Rail, and several local TriMet buses. There is a restaurant and bar onsite, as well as a Metropolitan Lounge reserved for Amtrak’s first- and business-class passengers.

All bus stations in Portland:

  • Union Station

  • 7411 NW Station Way

  • 1090 Nw Station Way

  • Portland Airport(tac)

  • Union Station

  • Sunset Transit Center/TriMet Station

  • Astoria Transit Ctr - 900 Marine Dr

  • NW 185th Ave

  • 695 S Hwy 101

  • 1170 South Hemlock St

  • Gearhart Bowl & Fultano's Pizza

  • Seaside Lodge & International Hostel

  • Seaside Cinema Empire Transit Stop

  • 42362 U.S. Highway 26

Where does the bus arrive in Salem?

Main arrival station: 500 13th St SE

Buses arrive in Salem at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

Bus stations in Salem:

  • 500 13th St SE

  • 500 13th St. S.E.

  • Chemeketa & Liberty

Get around town with Moovit

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