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Salem to Portland bus

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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 20 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in just one hour,

Distance44 mi (70 km)
Shortest duration1h 0m
Cheapest price$10.00
Trips per day6
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Thruway
Bus lines3

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Salem to Portland

(Based on 5 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Linda

May 17, 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: Easy connections. Cons: The bus was a little too warm.

5.0

Jean

July 26, 2021- Solo travel

Amtrak Thruway

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 terribly early like I thought.

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!

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How much is a bus ticket from Salem to Portland?

Bus tickets for a trip from Salem to Portland cost $13.83 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 prices by travel date

$15$10$5JunJun

If you're planning to travel by bus from Salem to Portland in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $13 to $14. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on June 22, 2023.

If you’re looking to travel to Portland this week, bus tickets are available starting at $14.

Monthly average prices

$25$20$15$10$5JASONDJFMAMJ
Traveling from Salem to Portland 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 $14 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

$25$20$15$10$53020100

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. Booking in advance, even by a few days, is the best way to find cheap bus tickets.

What bus companies travel from Salem to Portland?

There are 3 bus lines from Salem to Portland available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 5 daily trips, Amtrak Thruway usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway51h 22m$14.22
FlixBus US21h 0m$12.49
Shuttle Oregon11h 0m$30.00

  • 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 $10. On average, there are 5 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

  • 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 .

  • Shuttle Oregon's comfortable vehicles offer free WiFi, complimentary drinks, and snacks. They are pet and bicycle-friendly, with up to four bikes allowed per trip (additional fees apply and pre-booking is required). Although the vehicles do not have restrooms, drivers are happy to make stops for bathroom breaks when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Although masks are no longer required on public transportation, we stand behind CDC guidelines that encourage passengers to wear a mask over their nose and mouth while on the bus or in stations.

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.

The bus takes an average of one hour and 20 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.

Because many passengers travel from Salem to Portland at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Saturday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Saturday ticket is the way to go.

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.

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 $10.00.

City Information

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.

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

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