Cheap train tickets from Portland to Madison
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Trip Summary
There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Portland to Madison. Travelling by train from Portland to Madison usually takes 2 days, 3 hours and 10 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 2 days and 50 minutes.
- Distance
- 1642 mi (2643 km)
- Fastest train
- 48h 50m
- Lowest price
- £245.34
- Trains per day
- 3
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak
- Train lines
- 1
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Portland to Madison Train Timetable

There are several train options that can take you from Portland to Madison:
See more detailsPrice trends for trains from Portland to Madison
Average train ticket prices from Portland to Madison by month
Prices as travel date approaches
Which train should you take from Portland to Madison?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Portland to Madison. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 3 | 51h 10m | £256.60 |
Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Portland to Madison
While the train is the main method of transport from Portland to Madison, it will only take you part of the way there. Please note that part of your trip will be on a different vehicle, most commonly a coach or express shuttle.
There are 3 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your hand luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. You can also take a train for your return trip from Madison to Portland.
Trains per day
3
Direct trains
0
The distance between Portland and Madison is approximately 1,642 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 days, 3 hours and 10 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 days and 50 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)
1642
Distance (km)
2643
The earliest train departs Portland at 16:45 while the last train of the day leaves at 16:45. 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
4:45pm
Last train
4:45pm
Trains from Portland to Madison are the most crowded on Wednesday. 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 Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Wednesday
Least crowded
Wednesday
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.
Madison



Consistently ranking high on the lists of the best places to live in the USA, Madison still maintains its quaint and idyllic small-town vibe despite being the capital city of Wisconsin. Sitting among the city’s most iconic and most popular landmarks is the Madison Memorial Union, which is located within the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The building features a lakeview terrace filled with colourful chairs, allowing visitors to chill out and enjoy the sun. If you are interested in the history of the state or architecture as a whole, head over to the State Capitol building, which was built between 1906 and 1917. The building features lavish council chambers, which were modeled after the famous Doge’s Palace in Venice, along with other architectural highlights. If you wish to stay close to nature, the Olbrich Botanical garden, with its famous Thai Pavilion and Garden, will certainly be a great choice.
As a college city, Madison features numerous cutting-edge establishments that will make your mouth water. For some of the best dining views in town, head over to Graze, where you can also grab some of the best cheese curds in Madison. If you want to enjoy the best brunch in town, Sardine might have what you need.
The busiest coach/train station in Madison is located on Collins Ct. The city is served by the Dane County Regional Airport, 6 miles northeast of downtown.
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 Madison?
Main arrival station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Madison receives travellers from Portland at its two active train stations.
Train stations in Madison:
- University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
- Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot
Need a return trip from Madison to Portland?
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