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Trip Summary
You can pick from 3 daily train trips between Portland and Bellingham. The average train journey from Portland to Bellingham takes 6 hours and 20 minutes, but some Amtrak Cascades train trips are as short as 5 hours and 54 minutes.
| Distance | 223 mi (359 km) |
| Fastest train | 5h 54m |
| Lowest price | US$39.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Portland to Bellingham?
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Portland to Bellingham was US$43.67. This is an excellent deal, especially considering the length of the journey. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Bellingham if you book your train tickets at least 15 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra US$16.95.
Monthly average prices
Ticket prices for the train from Portland to Bellingham 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 US$47,
If you're thinking of traveling from Portland to Bellingham during August, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of US$71 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in August, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 15 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Bellingham from Portland will be about CUS$16.95 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.
Which train should you take from Portland to Bellingham?
2 train services operate from Portland to Bellingham. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 2 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 6h 33m | US$54.68 |
| Amtrak Cascades | 1 | 5h 54m | US$57.26 |
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 Bellingham every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from US$46.
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. There are an average of 1 trips on the Amtrak Cascades from Portland to Bellingham, and the average train ticket costs .
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Portland and Bellingham is approximately 223 miles, or 359 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 20 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 54 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.
Saturday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Portland to Bellingham. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Saturday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Wednesday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Portland at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 2:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 3 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Portland to Bellingham. 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 Bellingham 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.
Bellingham
Image credit: Unsplash
Bellingham is a scenic coastal city nestled between Mount Baker and the Puget Sound in Washington State. Its waterfront port is the launch point for fishing trips, leisure boating, and cruises to Alaska — a convenient starting point, since the city is only 25 miles south of the Canadian border. Sprawling Whatcom Falls Park showcases the best of the Northwest's natural forested beauty, one of the features that make Bellingham a top Washington destination. Plus, it's only a short drive to the #1 most instagrammable National Park, North Cascades National Park.
Kiddos will light up when they visit the SPARK Museum of Electrical Inventions, home to hands-on science exhibits and live demonstrations. If you're traveling without kids, prepare to hit up Bellingham's brewery scene. Bars, wineries, cideries, and more fine establishments offer quality drinks at prices that still lure students from local Western Washington University. Find some of the best restaurants and shops in the Fairhaven Historic District, distinctive for its Victorian architecture and views over Bellingham Bay.
FlixBus, Quick Shuttle, and Amtrak Thruway buses connect Bellingham to major cities in the Northwest like Seattle. Ambitious travelers can even travel to Bellingham by bus from Minneapolis! Bellingham's proximity to Canada makes it easy to travel to Vancouver, BC via bus or train on the Amtrak Cascades. Several airlines fly into Bellingham International Airport, but Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is only about 2 hours away if you need to catch a flight to farther destinations.
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 Bellingham?
Main arrival station: 401 Harris Ave
Bellingham has one train station.
Train stations in Bellingham:
401 Harris Ave
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