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Portland to Tacoma train

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Portland - Tacoma Train Timetable

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Trip Summary

There are 4 daily trains from Portland to Tacoma. Traveling by train from Portland to Tacoma usually takes around 2 hours and 34 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Cascades train can make the trip in 2 hours and 31 minutes.

Distance120 mi (193 km)
Fastest train2h 31m
Lowest price£17.76
Trains per day4
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Cascades
Train lines2

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Portland to Tacoma

(Based on 16 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Winfred

25 December 2022- Visiting friends

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: The trip was good with good services from the staff. Cons: At give snacks and water. Tips: Kids to be controlled.

Pros: The trip was good with good services from the staff. Cons: At give snacks and water. Tips: Kids to be controlled.

5.0

Winfred

11 December 2022- Visiting friends

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: Fast enough and the staff was friendly. Cons: May be you can give a snack to everyone. Tips: The best to travel on.

Pros: Fast enough and the staff was friendly. Cons: May be you can give a snack to everyone. Tips: The best to travel on.

4.0

Philip H

27 November 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Cascades

Pros: Quiet. Cons: No overbooking. Tips: Get on early and claim a seat.

Pros: Quiet. Cons: No overbooking. Tips: Get on early and claim a seat.

5.0

Thong

21 October 2022- Visiting friends

Amtrak Cascades

Pros: yes i like. Cons: next time ontime. Tips: no idea.

Pros: yes i like. Cons: next time ontime. Tips: no idea.

4.0

Mary

11 September 2022- Solo travel

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: It was efficient and I liked the viewing commentary. Cons: speakers. Tips: ask for a window seat.

Pros: It was efficient and I liked the viewing commentary. Cons: speakers. Tips: ask for a window seat.

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

In the last month, £20.00 was the average price of a train ticket from Portland to Tacoma. This is about as inexpensive as train tickets ever get. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 29 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around £19.52 more than that for a same-day booking.

Average prices by travel date

£36£24£12JanFeb

Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Portland to Tacoma will vary between £18 and £27. Planning a train trip to Tacoma within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Portland over the next 7 days is £19. Make sure to book your trip as soon as possible as train fares tend to go up as you get closer to your travel date.

Monthly average prices

£121£97£73£48£24FMAMJJASONDJ

If you are trying to decide when to travel from Portland to Tacoma by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for October. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just £22 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Portland to Tacoma in May, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to £112 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you have a high chance of scoring a ticket at a lower price.

Prices as travel date approaches

£81£65£48£32£163020100

If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 29 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Tacoma from Portland will be about £19.52 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.

Which train should you take from Portland to Tacoma?

2 train services operate from Portland to Tacoma. Amtrak Cascades usually has more trains scheduled, with 3 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Cascades32h 32m£23.40
Amtrak Coast Starlight12h 42m£23.31
  • Amtrak Cascades

    Amtrak Cascades

    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 3 trips on the Amtrak Cascades from Portland to Tacoma, and the average train ticket costs .

  • Amtrak Coast Starlight

    Amtrak Coast Starlight

    The Coast Starlight is an Amtrak train that travels the entire length of the West Coast, connecting Los Angeles to Seattle. The route starts hugging the California coastline, treating passengers to swoon-worthy views of the Pacific, before continuing into the verdant forests of the Cascade Mountains. The Coast Starlight indisputably earns its spot among the most scenic Amtrak train routes. Seating options include Coach or Business Class and roomettes or bedrooms for extra space. A trip from Portland to Tacoma takes 2 hours and 42 minutes on average, and Coach tickets start at £18.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to travel by train from Portland to Tacoma during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, train carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.

Although masks are no longer required on public transportation, we stand behind CDC guidelines that encourage passengers to wear a mask over their nose and mouth while on the train or in stations.

Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.

How long is the train journey from Portland to Tacoma?

The distance between Portland and Tacoma is approximately 120 miles, or 193 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 hours and 34 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 31 minutes. Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.

When are trains the most crowded?

Wednesday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Portland to Tacoma. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Wednesday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Sunday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.

When are the first and last trains of the day?

The earliest train departs Portland at 08:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 19:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

Is there a direct train from Portland to Tacoma?

There are 4 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Portland to Tacoma.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Tacoma to Portland.

City Information

Portland

Portland, OR - PDX-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Portland, OR - PDX-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Portland, OR - PDX-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Portland is the largest city in Oregon and accordingly one 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.

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 located on Puyallup Ave 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 Portland?

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

Image credit: Ian Sane

Link to image attribution

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 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 Tacoma?

1001 Puyallup Ave - TACAMT-0

Image credit: SounderBruce

Link to image attribution
1001 Puyallup Ave - TACAMT-1

Image credit: Adam Moss

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: 422 E. 25th St.

The Amtrak station in Tacoma is located at 1001 Puyallup Ave, just north of I-5 and very close to the Tacoma Dome. Local Sound Transit commuter rail uses the station, as well as Amtrak’s Coast Starlight from Seattle to Los Angeles and Cascades from Vancouver, BC to Eugene. The bus terminal at 510 Puyallup Ave is connected to the train station complex for easy transfers to local or intercity buses. The station complex includes two parking garages and a customer service center with restrooms 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 Museum of Glass.

Train stations in Tacoma:

  • 422 E. 25th St.

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