Cheap bus tickets from Portland to Salem
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Bus from Portland to Salem: Journey Information
There are 9 intercity buses per day from Portland to Salem. Traveling by bus from Portland to Salem usually takes around one hour and 19 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Thruway bus can make the trip in just one hour,
| Distance | 44 mi (70 km) |
| Shortest duration | 1h |
| Cheapest price | $11.00 |
| Trips per day | 8 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Thruway |
| Bus lines | 3 |
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Portland to Salem Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Portland to Salem?
There are usually 4 daily train trips available from Portland to Salem.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$16.38 | Avg. Price$15.23Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips9 | Daily Trips4 |
Duration | Duration1h 19m | Duration1h 12mFaster |
Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from Portland to Salem (Based on 13 ratings and reviews)
5.0
March 24, 2025 - Visiting friends
Amtrak Thruway5.0
January 29, 2023 - Solo travel
Amtrak Thruway5.0
November 13, 2022 - Visiting friends
Amtrak Thruway5.0
October 21, 2022 - Visiting family
Amtrak Thruway4.0
June 1, 2022 - Visiting friends
Amtrak Thruway5.0
November 13, 2021 - Business
Amtrak Thruway4.0
March 19, 2021 - Business
Amtrak Thruway5.0
December 23, 2019 - Visiting friends
Amtrak Thruway5.0
October 3, 2019 - Visiting family
Amtrak Thruway4.0
September 30, 2019 - Visiting friends
Greyhound5.0
August 18, 2019 - Visiting family
Amtrak Thruway5.0
July 7, 2019 - Solo travel
Amtrak Thruway4.0
June 14, 2019 - Solo travel
Amtrak ThruwayThere are several bus options that can take you from Portland to Salem:
- Amtrak Thruway: 6 daily buses from $11
- Pacific Crest Bus Lines: 2 daily buses from $22
- FlixBus US: 1 daily bus from $12
How much is a bus ticket from Portland to Salem?
Bus tickets for a trip from Portland to Salem cost $13.00 on average. This is an excellent value for the trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Average bus ticket prices from Portland to Salem by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Portland to Salem in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $15 to $17. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on August 19, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Salem this week, bus tickets are available starting at $15.
Average bus ticket prices from Portland to Salem by month
Traveling from Portland to Salem by bus will cost you about the same throughout the year. In general, bus ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $18 whenever you decide to travel.
Prices as travel date approaches
Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 23 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $5.30 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Portland to Salem?
There are multiple buses that travel from Portland to Salem, including Amtrak Thruway, Pacific Crest Bus Lines, FlixBus US. Here is what you should know about the 3 most popular bus lines:
| BUS | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 6 | 1h 17m | $13.42 |
| Pacific Crest Bus Lines | 2 | 1h 23m | $22.00 |
| FlixBus US | 1 | 1h 15m | $14.38 |
Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from Portland to Salem start at $11. On average, there are 6 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.
Book Pacific Crest Bus Lines from Portland to Salem from $22. There are 2 trips per day offered by Pacific Crest Bus Lines from Portland to Salem and you can expect on average to pay $22 for a Pacific Crest Bus Lines ticket to Salem. In Portland, Pacific Crest Bus Lines departs to Salem from Portland Airport(tac) and one other station. In Salem, Pacific Crest Bus Lines arrives at 500 13th St. S.E..
An average trip on Pacific Crest Bus Lines from Portland to Salem takes 1 hours and 23 minutes, while the fastest available Pacific Crest Bus Lines trip will get you to Salem in 1 hours and 0 minutes.
On weekends, Pacific Crest Bus Lines offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $22 for a weekend trip to Salem.
FlixBus US is the American branch of German bus company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern bus travel. The company offers cheap bus tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US buses include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 1 trips per day from Portland to Salem, and the average ticket for this route costs only $14.38.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Portland to Salem
There are 9 scheduled buses that travel from Portland to Salem every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 8 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip. Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Portland to Salem; ticket prices start at $11.
TRIPS PER DAY
9
DIRECT TRIPS
8
The bus takes an average of one hour and 19 minutes to cover the 44 miles from Portland to Salem. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour. You'll have just enough time for a small nap on this relatively short bus trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
DISTANCE (MI)
44
DISTANCE (KM)
70
The first bus leaves at 6:45am and the last bus leaves at 9:35pm. To see the times for all buses from Portland to Salem, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
EARLIEST BUS
6:45am
LATEST BUS
9:35pm
Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.
MOST CROWDED
Tuesday
LEAST CROWDED
Wednesday
City Information
Portland
Portland is the largest city in Oregon and accordingly one of 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.
Salem
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 does the bus leave from 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 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 bus stations in Portland:
- Union Station
- Portland Airport(tac)
- 7411 NW Station Way
- Union Station
Where does the bus arrive in Salem?
Main arrival station: 500 13th St SE
Buses arrive in Salem at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in Salem:
- 500 13th St SE
- 500 13th St. S.E.
- Chemeketa & Liberty
Need a return trip from Salem to Portland?
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