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How to get to Portland by train
| Routes | 50 |
| Trips per day | 148 |
| train lines | 4 |
| Stations | 1 |
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About Portland
Portland is the largest city in Oregon and one of the key travel hubs in the Pacific Northwest. 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.
Station Information
Image credit: Ian Sane
Link to image attributionLocated 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.
Popular train stations in Portland:
Union Station
What train companies travel to Portland, Oregon?
Located in Oregon, Portland is accessible by train from 50 other cities. You can choose from 148 daily scheduled trips when you search for trains to Portland on Wanderu. Amtrak usually has the most trains on any given day.
Looking for other ways to get there? Bus tickets to Portland are also available..
Train companies serving Portland
| Train | Routes | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 304 | 2d 4h 46m | $403.58 |
| Amtrak Empire Builder | 30 | 1d 11h 16m | $290.11 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 27 | 11h 14m | $107.43 |
| Amtrak Cascades | 17 | 2h 45m | $48.24 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey.
The Amtrak Empire Builder is a long-distance passenger rail service that has been in operation since 1929. The full 2,200-mile route takes 45 hours to connect Chicago with the Pacific Northwest. Don’t let the length of the trip intimidate you; the Empire Builder is one of Amtrak’s most popular services, and often rated as the most scenic train route in the country. The sightseer lounge, home to enormous windows, is the perfect place to drink in the incredible views of the Mississippi River, the North Dakota Plains, Glacier National Park, and the Columbia River Gorge. Overnight trips on the Empire Builder include the option to book sleeper cabins, for a more comfortable journey and included meals. All passengers can purchase meals or snacks in the cafe car.
The Coast Starlight is an Amtrak train that travels the entire length of the West Coast, connecting Los Angeles to Seattle. The route starts hugging the California coastline, treating passengers to swoon-worthy views of the Pacific, before continuing into the verdant forests of the Cascade Mountains. The Coast Starlight indisputably earns its spot among the most scenic Amtrak train routes. Seating options include Coach or Business Class and roomettes or bedrooms for extra space.
The Cascades is a passenger train service operated by Amtrak that runs between Vancouver, BC and Eugene, OR. Not only is the Cascades one of Amtrak's most scenic train routes, the trains also offer free WiFi, power outlets, reclining seats, and refreshments available for purchase.
Which train carrier has the best service to Portland?
Based on customers travel reviews, travelers who booked on Wanderu rave about traveling to Portland by train with Amtrak Empire Builder giving them a 4.6 rating out of 5.
Travelers also mentioned that Amtrak Empire Builder had the most comfortable train service to Portland taking into account the seats and amenities that Amtrak Empire Builder offers. They rate Amtrak Empire Builder a 4.7 out of 5 when it comes to just how relaxing and enjoyable their experience was onboard.
If you are looking to arrive to Portland punctually, travelers suggest that Amtrak Cascades has the best on time performance on their train schedules to Portland, rating them a 4.5 based on their on time arrivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main train station in Portland is Union Station. As the busiest station, it has the most train arrivals, although some trains may make other stops in and around Portland.
| Departure | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle | 7h 43m | $117.12 |
| New York | 3d 22h 45m | $731.99 |
| Cleveland | 3d 4h 49m | $568.23 |
| Toledo | 3d 1h 14m | $767.29 |
| Los Angeles | 1d 5h 14m | $227.61 |
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