Cheap train tickets from Portland to Oakland
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Portland to Oakland. Travelling by train from Portland to Oakland usually takes 19 hours and 41 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Coast Starlight train can make the trip in 18 hours and 32 minutes.
- Distance
- 534 mi (859 km)
- Fastest train
- 18h 32m
- Lowest price
- US$111.00
- Trains per day
- 2
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak
- Train lines
- 2
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Portland to Oakland Train Timetable
Is it better to travel by coach or train from Portland to Oakland?
There are usually 2 daily coach trips from Portland to Oakland.
Train | Coach | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceUS$169.55 | Avg. PriceUS$133.98Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips2 |
Duration | Duration19h 41m | Duration16h 41mFaster |

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Portland to Oakland (Based on 4 ratings and reviews)
3.0
There are several train options that can take you from Portland to Oakland:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Portland to Oakland?
In the last month, train tickets from Portland to Oakland cost about US$128 when booked at the cheapest time. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route’s long distance. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 16 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around US$136.84 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Portland to Oakland by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Portland to Oakland will cost between US$96 and US$372. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Portland to Oakland by month
Ticket prices for the train from Portland to Oakland often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in April when the average ticket price is only US$136. If you're thinking of travelling from Portland to Oakland during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of US$185 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 Portland to Oakland on Wanderu at least 16 days ahead of time, you can save about US$136.84 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from Portland to Oakland?
2 train services operate from Portland to Oakland. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 3 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 3 | 20h 54m | US$172.70 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 18h 33m | US$166.60 |
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 toilet, free WiFi and power sockets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 3 Amtrak trains from Portland to Oakland every day, as well as 3 trips at the weekends, with prices starting from US$116.










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 carriages, power sockets, complimentary onboard WiFi, and snacks.
Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Portland to Oakland
Trains leave the station in Portland twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. One of these is a direct train, which will typically get you to Oakland faster. While it might still have stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains during your trip. You can also take a train for your return trip from Oakland to Portland. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from Portland to Oakland for US$78.
Trains per day
2
Direct trains
1
The distance between Portland and Oakland is approximately 534 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 19 hours and 41 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 18 hours and 32 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 patchy signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and films to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Distance (mi)
534
Distance (km)
859
The earliest train departs Portland at 14:22 while the last train of the day leaves at 14:22. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full timetable for your specific travel dates.
First train
2:22pm
Last train
2:22pm
Trains from Portland to Oakland are the most crowded on Friday. 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 Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Friday
Least crowded
Monday
City Information
Portland



Portland is the largest city in Oregon and accordingly one of the state's best holiday 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 coach 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.
Oakland



Oakland, CA is a port city that is beginning to step out of the shadow of San Francisco, its neighbour to the west. Every visitor should start their Oakland trip in the downtown area and Old Oakland, the city's historic quarter full of quaint old buildings. While here, don't forget to take a short detour to Oakland's famous Chinatown as well. The African American Museum and Library at Oakland tells the history of Black communities in the area and is definitely worth a stop. For those who would prefer to stay close to nature, Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park's abundance of redwood groves will offer amazing views.
Oakland's food scene is vibrant and diverse, with a wide range of offerings for all budgets. Enssaro is a popular local name with mid-range dishes that will whet your appetite. For an excellent haute-cuisine dinner, head towards The Wolf.
It's easy to get around the Bay Area on local public transit (called the BART, for Bay Area Rapid Transit). Getting to Oakland from further afield is also a breeze thanks to many intercity coach routes in the area and Amtrak's Capitol Corridor train, which stops in Oakland. Flights arrive at the Oakland International Airport, but several additional airport options in the larger Bay Area are also available.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Portland?
Main 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 coach service via Greyhound, and connects to the Portland Streetcar, MAX Light Rail, and several TriMet local 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 Oakland?
Main arrival station: 245 Second St


The Jack London Station in Oakland opened in 1995, replacing 16th Street Station, which was extensively damaged in the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. The station was named after the famous writer Jack London, as he spent much of his life in the area. It is a contemporary glass and stone structure located on the easternmost corner of Jack London Square. The square, which fronts a natural estuary leading to San Francisco Bay, was formerly the hub of Oakland's port activities, connecting the maritime and agricultural sectors. It is still an active and bustling waterfront today. Amtrak's Capitol Corridor, Coast Starlight, and Gold Runner trains serve the station. It is the 10th busiest of Amtrak's 74 California stops, boarding or de-boarding an average of 1,142 people per day.
Train stations in Oakland:
- 245 Second St
- Across San Leandro Blvd from BART station - 700 73rd Ave
Need a return trip from Oakland to Portland?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
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