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Trip Summary
2 trains operate daily from Portland to Birmingham. The train trip from Portland to Birmingham is usually about 100 hours and 22 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 90 hours.
| Distance | 2062 mi (3319 km) |
| Fastest train | 90h 0m |
| Lowest price | $521.99 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Portland to Birmingham?
The average price for a train ticket from Portland, OR to Birmingham, AL is $550.76, The lengthy distance traveled between Portland and Birmingham often means relatively more expensive train tickets. By booking your trip at least 15 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay $308.26 more.
Monthly average prices
Ticket prices for the train from Portland to Birmingham often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in January when the average ticket price is only $715,
If you're thinking of traveling from Portland to Birmingham during September, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $1,100 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in September, is to book your trip well in advance.
Which train should you take from Portland to Birmingham?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Portland to Birmingham. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 4d 4h 22m | $716.19 |
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 2 Amtrak trains from Portland to Birmingham every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $517.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Portland and Birmingham is approximately 2062 miles, or 3319 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 100 hours and 22 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 90 hours,
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.
Trains departing from Portland to Birmingham tend to have the most passengers on Tuesday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Tuesday. 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 Monday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Portland at 2:00pm while the last train of the day leaves at 4:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Trains leave the station in Portland twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you change trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Birmingham to Portland.
City Information
Portland
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
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.
Birmingham
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Birmingham may not be the capital of Alabama, but it does hold the crown as both the cultural and entertainment capital of the Cotton State. The second-most populous city, Birmingham was founded during the Reconstruction Period, which followed the American Civil War.
Quietly going about its business as an industrial powerhouse, producing much of America's iron and steel, Birmingham didn't enter the world's consciousness until the Civil Rights Movement one hundred years later. It’s one of the 8 iconic cities on our Martin Luther King, Jr. road trip, as it’s the city where Dr. King wrote his famous “Letter From a Birmingham Jail.” When visiting, be sure to stop at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to learn more about the city’s civil rights history.
Today known as America's 'Magic City,' new life has been blown into downtown Birmingham in recent years. Its streets have been cleaned up, allowing the city's historical gems such as the Alabama Theater to shine once more both by day and by night.
The Birmingham Museum of Art contains the most extensive collection of artworks in the southeastern United States. It's connected to the nightlife districts of Five Points South, Lakeview, and Uptown by a series of charming tree-lined public squares. Close by Five Points South also lies Red Mountain's Vulcan Park, home to the world's largest cast-iron statue. It was made for the St. Louis World Fair of 1904.
Birmingham is an important regional hub linking the Deep South, the Appalachian Mountains, and Piedmont. Travelers can easily reach other noteworthy destinations in the U.S., including Dallas, Phoenix, and Montgomery, thanks to the hundreds of bus and train routes to and from Birmingham.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Portland?
Image credit: Ian Sane
Link to image attributionMain 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 train stations in Portland:
Union Station
Where is the train station in Birmingham?
Image credit: Birmingham Photographer J.g.
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Intermodal Facility
Birmingham's Intermodal Facility is a modern station right in the heart of downtown. It is near the McWane Science Center and only a 10-minute walk to the University of Alabama. The Intermodal Facility is a hub for Amtrak trains, intercity buses, and MAX transit throughout Birmingham, so it's easy to transfer between travel modes all within the same station. Birmingham is a stop on Amtrak's Crescent Line, which runs from New York to New Orleans. The station has an onsite cafe, plus amenities like restrooms, seating, and vending machines.
Train stations in Birmingham:
Intermodal Facility
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Need a return trip from Birmingham to Portland?
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