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Buses from Salem to Portland

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Salem - Portland Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 6 intercity buses per day from Salem to Portland. Traveling by bus from Salem to Portland usually takes around one hour and 12 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in just one hour,

Distance44 mi (70 km)
Shortest duration1h 0m
Cheapest price$7.99
Trips per day6
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Thruway
Bus lines2

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for buses from Salem to Portland

(Based on 4 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Jean

July 26, 2021- Solo travel

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: comfortable and able to sit back and enjoy the ride. Cons: nothing.

Pros: comfortable and able to sit back and enjoy the ride. Cons: nothing.

5.0

Piper

December 15, 2019- Visiting family

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: It was way cheaper and more convenient than ubering the entire way to the airport which I appreciated. Tips: Let them know that the busses come fifteen minutes before departure and that they don't have to check in or anything, so they don't have to show up terrib...

Pros: It was way cheaper and more convenient than ubering the entire way to the airport which I appreciated. Tips: Let them know that the busses come fifteen minutes before departure and that they don't have to check in or anything, so they don't have to show up terribly early like I thought.

More

4.0

Martha

August 11, 2019- Visiting friends

Amtrak Thruway

AC was crazy cold even with vents closed! My nose was frozen and face numb, No Good!

AC was crazy cold even with vents closed! My nose was frozen and face numb, No Good!

How much is a bus ticket from Salem to Portland?

$13.34 is the average price of a bus ticket from Salem to Portland. This is currently one of the best deals in bus travel. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.

Average prices by travel date

$15$10$5MayMay

Over the next four weeks, the average ticket price of a bus from Salem to Portland is expected to range from $11 to $15. If you are looking to travel to Portland within the next week, you can find bus tickets starting from $11. The cheapest bus tickets in the next month are $11 and can be found on May 21, 2022.

Monthly average prices

$25$20$15$10$5JJASONDJFMAM

The lowest bus ticket prices on this route can usually be found in May. That’s when the average price of a bus ticket is expected to be just $13 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Salem to Portland in November, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to $16 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you can still score a ticket at a lower price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$25$20$15$10$53020100

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. The best way to find cheap bus tickets is to book at least 23 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save $0.24 on your bus ticket compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from Salem to Portland?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Salem to Portland that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Amtrak Thruway usually offers more choice, with 4 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway41h 18m$12.78
FlixBus US21h 0m$18.20
  • Amtrak Thruway

    Amtrak Thruway

    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 Salem to Portland start at $11. On average, there are 4 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

  • FlixBus US

    FlixBus US

    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 2 trips per day from Salem to Portland, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to travel by bus from Salem to Portland during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Our bus 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, bus 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.

In addition, federal law requires all bus passengers to wear a face covering for the entire duration of the trip. Please make sure you are wearing a face mask or you may not be allowed to board the bus.

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 bus ride from Salem to Portland?

The bus takes an average of one hour and 12 minutes to cover the 44 miles from Salem to Portland. 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.

What is the busiest day of the week to travel by bus?

Saturday is usually the day when buses are busiest, as many travelers take the bus to enjoy the weekend in Portland. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Sunday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to Portland, book your ticket for the last day of the week.

When do the earliest and latest buses leave Salem?

The first bus leaves at 8:00am and the last bus leaves at 7:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Salem to Portland, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

How many bus trips to Portland are there per day?

There are 6 scheduled buses that travel from Salem to Portland every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Salem to Portland without transferring.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Salem to Portland; ticket prices start at $13.00.

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 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.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Salem?

Main departure station: 500 13th St SE

Salem has two bus stations with service to Portland.

All bus stations in Salem:

  • 500 13th St SE

  • Chemeketa & Liberty

Where does the bus arrive in Portland?

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

Image credit: Ian Sane

Link to image attribution

Main arrival 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

  • 7411 NW Station Way

From the Wanderu blog

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