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Tacoma to Salem train

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Tacoma - Salem Train Timetable

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Trip Summary

There are 6 daily trains from Tacoma to Salem. Traveling by train from Tacoma to Salem usually takes around 4 hours and 39 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Cascades train can make the trip in 4 hours and 11 minutes.

Distance162 mi (261 km)
Fastest train4h 11m
Lowest price£23.94
Trains per day3
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines3

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Tacoma to Salem

(Based on 4 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Juana

17 July 2023- Vacation

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: I am not from Oregon...so I was too nervous to drive. Having an Amtrak option was wonderful. It was my first time. I loved being able to look out the window....take beautiful pictures...get up and walk around. Everyone ...staff...other customers...very relaxed and stress free. Cons: The ability to buy snacks...without a reservation and full meal deal...would be nice. Tips: N/A.

4.0

Martha

21 September 2021- Visiting friends

Amtrak

Pros: Not having to drive and fight traffic was the biggest bonus next to seeing the beautiful sights of Washington and Oregon. Cons: Clean the restrooms.

5.0

Patricia

23 July 2021

Amtrak

Pros: My 1st train ride on Amtrak, not bad. Cons: Consistent announcements for station stops. Tips: No.

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

In the last month, £29.53 was the average price of a train ticket from Tacoma to Salem. This is a good price that is inexpensive compared to most train fares. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 11 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around £10.18 more than that for a same-day booking.

Monthly average prices

£60£48£36£24£12JJASONDJFMAM

Ticket prices for the train from Tacoma to Salem often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in February when the average ticket price is only £33,

If you're thinking of traveling from Tacoma to Salem during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of £48 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

£60£48£36£24£123020100

If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 11 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Salem from Tacoma will be about £10.18 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.

Which train should you take from Tacoma to Salem?

There are 3 train lines with service from Tacoma to Salem. Amtrak is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 3 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak34h 48m£34.09
Amtrak Cascades24h 17m£31.98
Amtrak Coast Starlight14h 59m£35.22

  • Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad 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 restroom, 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 3 Amtrak trains from Tacoma to Salem every day, as well as 3 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £30.

  • 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 2 trips on the Amtrak Cascades from Tacoma to Salem, and the average train ticket costs .

  • 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 Tacoma to Salem takes 4 hours and 59 minutes on average, and Coach tickets start at £24.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Tacoma to Salem. 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.

The distance between Tacoma and Salem is approximately 162 miles, or 261 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 39 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 11 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 Tacoma to Salem 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 Thursday. Thursday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.

The earliest train departs Tacoma at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 18:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

There are 6 scheduled trains on most days. 3 of these are direct connections to Salem. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.

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

City Information

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.

Salem

Salem, OR, US - SAM-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Salem is the capital of Oregon and one of the state's best vacation destinations. Nestled in the Willamette Valley, the city is rich with outdoor activities, diverse cuisine, and sites reflecting Oregon's history.

The Deepwood Estate, a mansion built in 1893, runs tours that share early Salem history. Explore the surrounding gardens at Deepwood or walk the many paths in Bush's Pasture Park to discover their lush plant life. The Willamette River that runs through Salem is a gorgeous spot to fish, kayak, or board the historic Willamette Queen steamboat for a dinner cruise.

Salem's charming downtown overflows with local coffee shops, cafés, and restaurants serving fresh fare and the best wines from the Willamette Valley. The Saturday Farmers Market near the state capitol serves up fresh produce alongside live music and food trucks.

Many bus services operate in Salem, including Jefferson Lines, FlixBus, Shuttle Oregon, and the Amtrak Thruway. Amtrak's Coast Starlight line also stops in Salem, heading to LA and Seattle, as well as the Cascades, going to Vancouver and Eugene, Oregon.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Tacoma?

422 E 25th Ave - TACAMT-0

Image credit: WSDOT/AmtrakCascades

Link to image attribution

Main departure 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.

All train stations in Tacoma:

  • 422 E. 25th St.

Where is the train station in Salem?

Main arrival station: 500 13th St SE

Salem has one train station.

Train stations in Salem:

  • 500 13th St SE

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Related reading

Need a return trip from Salem to Tacoma?

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