Cheap train tickets from Salem to Tacoma

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Trip Summary

There are usually 8 daily train trips available from Salem to Tacoma. Travelling by train from Salem to Tacoma usually takes 5 hours and 14 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Cascades train can make the trip in 4 hours and 17 minutes.

Distance: 162 mi (261 km)
Fastest train: 4h 17m
Lowest price: CHF 28.40
Trains per day: 8
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 3

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Salem to Tacoma Train Schedule

No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full schedule.

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Salem to Tacoma?

There is usually 1 daily bus trip available from Salem to Tacoma.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceCHF 46.89	Avg. PriceCHF 31.34Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips8	Daily Trips1
Duration	Duration5h 14m	Duration4h 10mFaster

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Salem to Tacoma (Based on 1 rating and review)

4.0

Tabitha

September 12, 2026 - Visiting family

Amtrak Cascades

Pros: The peace of mind, sceneries, the staff updating each and every stop ahead on time.👌 Cons: Keep up and make it the best option to travel Tips: Be on time, very convenient way of travel.

There are several train options that can take you from Salem to Tacoma:

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from Salem to Tacoma?

In the last month, train tickets from Salem to Tacoma cost about CHF 28 when booked at the cheapest time. Compared to most train fares, this is an excellent price. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 12 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around CHF 40.28 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Salem to Tacoma by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Salem to Tacoma will cost between CHF 31 and CHF 94. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Salem to Tacoma by month

Ticket prices for the train from Salem to Tacoma often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in October when the average ticket price is only CHF 41. If you're thinking of travelling from Salem to Tacoma during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of CHF 60 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in July, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Salem to Tacoma on Wanderu at least 12 days ahead of time, you can save about CHF 40.28 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Salem to Tacoma?

There are 3 train lines with service from Salem to Tacoma. Amtrak is the most popular choice with travellers, offering scheduled service on 5 trains each day.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	5	5h 42m	CHF 42.58
Amtrak Cascades	2	4h 17m	CHF 45.80
Amtrak Coast Starlight	1	4h 34m	CHF 69.90

Amtrak is the largest passenger railway 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 washroom, 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 5 Amtrak trains from Salem to Tacoma every day, as well as 5 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from CHF 30.07.
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 2 trips on the Amtrak Cascades from Salem to Tacoma, and the average train ticket costs CHF 45.80.
The Amtrak Coast Starlight is a service provided by Amtrak that connects Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles on the US Pacific coast. The full journey winds through the Cascade Mountains, perfectly clipped vineyards, and dense coastal forest, allowing passengers to get a glimpse of the US west coast while enjoying air-conditioned cars, power outlets, complimentary onboard WiFi, and snacks.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Salem to Tacoma

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Salem to Tacoma. 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.

There are 8 scheduled trains on most days. Of these, 3 are direct connections to Tacoma. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice. You can also take a train for your return trip from Tacoma to Salem. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the bus from Salem to Tacoma for CHF 24.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Salem and Tacoma is approximately 261 kilometres. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 14 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 17 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.

Distance (mi)

162

Distance (km)

261

The earliest train departs Salem at 6:35 a.m. while the last train of the day leaves at 5:41 p.m. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

First train

6:35am

Last train

5:41pm

Trains from Salem to Tacoma are the most crowded on Tuesday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider travelling on Thursday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Tuesday

Least crowded

Thursday

City Information

Salem

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.

Tacoma

Tacoma has seen some hard times in recent years, but the city is receiving many new revival attempts, turning it into a charming town with its own unique attractions. For those interested in the history of the city, as well as the creativity of its residents, head towards the Museum District, which houses numerous interesting museums such as the Tacoma Art Museum and the Washington State History Museum. While in the area, don’t miss out on the chance to marvel at the architectural ingenuity of the Bridge of Glass. If you wish to enjoy a bit of outdoor air, diving into the cold water of American Lake in Lakewood in the morning is bound to make you happy.

Seafood has always been among Tacoma’s finest offerings, and the best place to enjoy these dishes is Duke’s Chowder House, which features a bay view. For a more exquisite taste, head over to Indochine, a pan-Asian restaurant featuring mouth watering dishes.

The main bus station and the Amtrak train station in Tacoma are both near downtown, just a few blocks from each other. Tacoma is served by Amtrak’s Cascades and Coast Starlight lines. The city’s main airport is Seattle–Tacoma International and it sits 22 miles north of the city.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Salem?

Main departure station: 500 13th St SE

There is one train station in Salem.

All train stations in Salem:

500 13th St SE

Where is the train station in Tacoma?

Main arrival station: 422 E. 25th St.

The Amtrak station in Tacoma is located at 422 E 25th St, near I-5 and close to the Tacoma Dome. The Tacoma Dome Station is served by Amtrak Cascades, which travels between Vancouver, BC, Seattle, Portland, and Eugene, and Amtrak’s Coast Starlight from Seattle to Los Angeles. Local Sound Transit's commuter rail station is next door. The bus terminal on Puyallup Ave is across the street from the train station complex for easy transfers to local or intercity buses. The station complex includes two parking garages and a customer service centre with washrooms and vending machines. Nearby attractions in Tacoma include Freighthouse Square, a shopping mall inside an old depot, and several museums like the Washington State History Museum and the Museum of Glass.

All train stations in Tacoma:

422 E. 25th St.

Need a return trip from Tacoma to Salem?

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