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There are 2 daily trains from Spokane to Portland. Traveling by train from Spokane to Portland usually takes around 37 hours and 35 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 | £25.69 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Empire Builder |
| Train lines | 1 |
Overall score for trains from Spokane to Portland
(Based on 2 ratings and reviews)
4.0
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
Pros: It was quiet and beautiful. Cons: not much. Tips: bring a blanket for sleep time.
Over the past month, a train ticket between Spokane and Portland cost £112.00, on average. Since this route covers a considerable distance, tickets are typically a bit pricier than most train fares. Booking your trip at least 29 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around £86.76 more.
For the next 30 days, the cost of a one-way train trip from Spokane to Portland will range from £117 to £205. If you're planning to travel by train to Portland in the upcoming week, the cheapest train ticket from Spokane you can find in the next 7 days is £122. Be sure to book your trip in advance as train ticket prices typically increase as your travel date approaches.
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 Portland from Spokane will be about £86.76 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.
Amtrak Empire Builder is the one and only train line which connects Spokane to Portland. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Empire Builder | 2 | 1d 13h 36m | £143.51 |
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.
The distance between Spokane and Portland is approximately 290 miles, or 466 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 37 hours and 35 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.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Spokane to Portland on Friday. Tickets for Friday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Saturday. Saturday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Spokane at 00:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 23:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Trains leave the station in Spokane 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 Portland 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 Portland to 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 favorites 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.
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
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.
Image credit: Jeramey Jannene
Link to image attribution
The historic Chicago Union Station is the United States' third busiest train station and a hub for 15 Amtrak train lines with destinations throughout the country. The station also serves bus carriers like Greyhound, Indian Trails and Jefferson Lines, and offers connections to Metra commuter lines. Union Station is also just a quick walk to the nearest Chicago L lines. The current station was built in 1925, to replace the original one dating back to 1881, and today wows visitors with its impressive facade, massive columns, and opulent Great Hall. Located right in downtown and adjacent to the Chicago Loop, Union Station is equipped with many services and amenities, including phone charging stations, shops, and various food and drink options.
Chicago (Union Station), Illinois
Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave
420 4th St N
Spokane Intermodal Center - 221 W 1st Ave
Union Depot
Whitefish Cmnty Library
Wenatchee Train Station
450 Railroad Avenue
Icicle Station
555 E St Germain St
Transp Ctr - 90 Alder St NW
400 1st Ave SW
359 N Ludington St
N Superior Ave and Washington St
230 W Central Ave
Image credit: Ian Sane
Link to image attributionLocated 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.
Union Station
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