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Trains from Sacramento to Portland

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Sacramento - Portland Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

There are 34 daily trains from Sacramento to Portland. Traveling by train from Sacramento to Portland usually takes around 46 hours and 19 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Coast Starlight train can make the trip in 15 hours and 51 minutes.

Distance483 mi (778 km)
Fastest train15h 51m
Lowest price$87.64
Trains per day1
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines2

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Sacramento to Portland

(Based on 2 ratings and reviews)

4.5

4.0

Ramona

April 15, 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: Seat space. Plenty of rooms in the seats. Cons: More room for large bags and move the area away from the stairs to go up. Was hard to place your bag on the very crowded rack and then a line to up the stairs. It was a choke point. The grill was broken, so only...

Pros: Seat space. Plenty of rooms in the seats. Cons: More room for large bags and move the area away from the stairs to go up. Was hard to place your bag on the very crowded rack and then a line to up the stairs. It was a choke point. The grill was broken, so only expensive oat meal. $20 for oatmeal is outrageous. Fix the grill. Maybe there was a staff shortage so had no one to cook. Tell us instead of grill broken. Tips: Bring your own sacks, food.

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5.0

Rowan

June 28, 2019- Visiting friends

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: Smooth ride. Cons: Bigger seats for larger passengers.

Pros: Smooth ride. Cons: Bigger seats for larger passengers.

What is the price of a train ticket from Sacramento to Portland?

In the last month, $314.11 was the average price of a train ticket from Sacramento to Portland. Given how far apart Sacramento and Portland are from each other, there's no getting around the fact that most train tickets are on the pricier side. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 18 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around $180.95 more than that for a same-day booking.

Average prices by travel date

$561$374$187JunJul

Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Sacramento to Portland will vary between C$302 and C$546. Planning a train trip to Portland within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Sacramento over the next 7 days is C$302. Make sure to book your trip as soon as possible as train fares tend to go up as you get closer to your travel date.

Monthly average prices

$483$387$290$193$97ASONDJFMAMJJ

If you are trying to decide when to travel from Sacramento to Portland by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for November. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just C$187 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Sacramento to Portland in February, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to C$476 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you have a high chance of scoring a ticket at a lower price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$419$335$251$168$843020100

If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 18 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Portland from Sacramento will be about C$180.95 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.

Which train should you take from Sacramento to Portland?

2 train services operate from Sacramento to Portland. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 33 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak331d 23h 13m$428.71
Amtrak Coast Starlight115h 52m$182.14
  • Amtrak

    Amtrak

    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. On average, there are 33 Amtrak trains from Sacramento to Portland every day, as well as 28 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $105.

  • Amtrak Coast Starlight

    Amtrak Coast Starlight

    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. A trip from Sacramento to Portland takes 15 hours and 52 minutes on average, and Coach tickets start at $88.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to travel by train from Sacramento to Portland during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, train carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.

In addition, federal law requires all train passengers to wear a face covering for the entire duration of the trip. Please make sure you are wearing a face mask or you may not be allowed to board the train.

Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.

Can you take a train all the way from Sacramento to Portland?

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Sacramento to Portland. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.

How long is the train journey from Sacramento to Portland?

The distance between Sacramento and Portland is approximately 483 miles, or 778 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 46 hours and 19 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 15 hours and 51 minutes.

Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.

When are trains the most crowded?

Trains departing from Sacramento to Portland tend to have the most passengers on Monday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Monday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Thursday as the least number of people tend to travel then.

When are the first and last trains of the day?

The earliest train departs Sacramento at 12:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 11:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

Is there a direct train from Sacramento to Portland?

There are 34 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Sacramento to Portland. In contrast, taking a non-direct train would require you to transfer trains during your trip.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Portland to Sacramento.

City Information

Sacramento

As the long-held capital city of California, Sacramento has a rich and vibrant history that is reflected in its historic buildings and quarters. The Old Sacramento Waterfront quarter is the best place to explore the city’s rich heritage. Boasting ages-old constructions and a quaint vibe that is reminiscent of the Wild West, the area allows visitors to travel back in time and relive the Gold Rush era. Among the most interesting destinations in the area is the California State Museum, located at the northern edge of the quarter. It offers numerous restored locomotives as well as exhibitions on the United States’ westward expansion. If history is not really your thing, then the Midtown quarter, which boasts a vibrant and expanding art scene, will be a great alternative.

Sacramento is famous for its vast tracts of farmland, so it makes sense that the best dishes are the ones made from locally-grown produce. Among the best places to try out homemade dishes are The Firehouse and The Kitchen. For a bit of an Asian taste, visit Mikuni in Midtown Sacramento.

The busiest bus station in Sacramento is located right in the heart of the city and offers bus service to Portland, Reno, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, among many other places. The main Amtrak train station is the nearby Sacramento Valley Station, which also serves the Gold Line of the local transit light rail. The principal regional airport is the Sacramento International Airport, located 10 miles northwest of Downtown.

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.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Sacramento?

New York, NY - Penn Station - NYCPEN-0

Main departure station: Penn Station

Pennsylvania Station, or just Penn Station, is the main train station in New York City. All Amtrak trains to and from NYC use Penn Station as their only train stop in Manhattan. Penn Station offers easy connections to various other types of transportation, including commuter rail (the Long Island Rail Road and the NJ Transit both operate out of Penn Station), airport transit, and six lines of the NYC Subway, making it the busiest train station in the Western Hemisphere. Located in the heart of Manhattan, right by the world-famous Madison Square Garden, Penn Station is close to various points of interest such as Times Square and the Empire State Building, as well as many restaurants and retail stores.

All train stations in Sacramento:

  • Penn Station

  • 2702 W Washington St

  • MLK Plaza - 415 Emerald Ave

  • 917 Edwards Ave

  • Union Station

  • 200 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway

  • 485 West Van Vleek Street

  • 1170 W Third St

  • Amtrak Platform - 198 E Emporia St

  • Downtown Metrolink Station - 4066 Vine St

  • Pasadena Hilton Hotel - 168 S Los Robles Ave

  • Metrolink Station - 200 West First St

  • 30th St Station - 2955 Market St

  • Honolulu and Lowell Ave

  • Regional Transportation Center - 1 Walsh Cir

Where is the train station in Portland?

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

Image credit: Ian Sane

Link to image attribution

Main arrival 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.

Train stations in Portland:

  • Union Station

Related reading

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