Cheap train tickets from Spokane to Portland

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Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Spokane to Portland. Travelling by train from Spokane to Portland usually takes 11 hours and 10 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Empire Builder train can make the trip in 7 hours and 28 minutes.

Distance: 290 mi (466 km)
Fastest train: 7h 28m
Lowest price: CHF 52.48
Trains per day: 3
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 2

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Spokane to Portland Train Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Spokane to Portland?

There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from Spokane to Portland.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceCHF 88.05	Avg. PriceCHF 42.06Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips3	Daily Trips2
Duration	Duration11h 10m	Duration8h 27mFaster

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Spokane to Portland (Based on 2 ratings and reviews)

4.5

4.0

Jacyln

November 24, 2022 - Visiting family

Amtrak Empire Builder

Pros: I always appreciate the amount of room and the food options available. When I can afford the time to take the train I do. Cons: The train was over an hour late Tips: Same rules as planes always book with 2hr allowance on either side.

5.0

Sarah

August 11, 2021 - Visiting family

Amtrak Empire Builder

Pros: It was quiet and beautiful Cons: not much Tips: bring a blanket for sleep time

There are several train options that can take you from Spokane to Portland:

See more details

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

In the last month, train tickets from Spokane to Portland cost about CHF 72 when booked at the cheapest time. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 26 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around CHF 28.52 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Spokane to Portland by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Spokane to Portland will cost between CHF 58 and CHF 122. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Spokane to Portland by month

Ticket prices for the train from Spokane to Portland often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in March when the average ticket price is only CHF 79. If you're thinking of travelling from Spokane to Portland during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of CHF 102 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Spokane to Portland on Wanderu at least 26 days ahead of time, you can save about CHF 28.52 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Spokane to Portland?

2 train services operate from Spokane to Portland. 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	13h 21m	CHF 99.47
Amtrak Empire Builder	1	7h 28m	CHF 68.75

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 2 Amtrak trains from Spokane to Portland every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from CHF 69.14.
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.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Spokane to Portland

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Spokane 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.

There are 3 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Spokane 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 Spokane. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the bus from Spokane to Portland for CHF 31.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Spokane and Portland is approximately 466 kilometres. The average train journey between these two cities takes 11 hours and 10 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 7 hours and 28 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)

290

Distance (km)

466

The earliest train departs Spokane at 3:19 a.m. while the last train of the day leaves at 10:45 a.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

3:19am

Last train

10:45am

Trains from Spokane to Portland are the most crowded on Thursday. 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 Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Thursday

Least crowded

Sunday

City Information

Spokane

As the second-largest city in the state, Spokane is a family-friendly Washington destination that offers plenty of fun for everyone. The first thing you should do is explore the numerous lakes that the city is blessed with. Offering idyllic views as well as the chance to enjoy outdoor recreational activities, the local lakes allow you to fill an entire day with plenty of fun. The best choice would be Lake Pend Oreille, which features still water and a calm vibe. While you’re in town, check out Riverfront Park. Voted one of the most beautiful urban parks in the U.S. by National Geographic, the park sits on the bank of the Spokane River, offering a great chance for you to unwind and get lost in nature. If you seek a cultural experience, Corbin Art Center might just have what you need.

Spokane greets its hungry visitors with plenty of farm-to-table restaurants, which offer the freshest produce. Some local favourites you should check out include Gander & Ryegrass, Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops, or Churchill’s Steakhouse.

Spokane’s main hub of transportation is the bus & train station at 221 W 1st Ave right in the heart of the city’s downtown area. From there, you can catch buses to various cities like Seattle, Missoula and Portland, as well as trains to San Francisco, Chicago and Salt Lake City, among many other places. Spokane is served by Amtrak’s Empire Builder line. The city’s main airport is Spokane International Airport, situated 5 miles west of downtown.

Portland

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 Spokane?

Main departure station: 221 W 1st Ave

Spokane Intermodal Center - 221 W 1st Ave - SPKAMT-0

Spokane Intermodal Center - 221 W 1st Ave - SPKAMT-1

The Spokane Intermodal Center on 1st Ave is Spokane’s primary hub for bus and train service. The city’s original train station was built at this location in 1891, and the red brick building has since been remodeled and expanded to include intercity bus service, too. Today, passengers can catch the iconic Amtrak Empire Builder train along its route from Chicago to Seattle or Portland, or hop on a FlixBus US or Jefferson Lines bus heading to destinations throughout the Northwest. The station is just north of I-90 and centrally located in Spokane, within a mile of the sprawling Riverfront Park, the Spokane Convention Center, and Gonzaga University.

All train stations in Spokane:

221 W 1st Ave

Where is the train station in Portland?

Main arrival station: Union Station

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

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

Need a return trip from Portland to Spokane?

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