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Cheap train tickets from Portland to Salinas

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Portland to Salinas Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

You can pick from 2 daily train trips between Portland and Salinas. The average train journey from Portland to Salinas takes 22 hours and 33 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 21 hours and 44 minutes.

Distance613 mi (987 km)
Fastest train21h 44m
Lowest price$97.00
Trains per day1
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines2

What is the price of a train ticket from Portland to Salinas?

The average price for a train ticket from Portland to Salinas is $109.00, Tickets are generally pricier for this train route, which is to be expected given the long distance. By booking your trip at least 10 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay $59.33 more.

Average train ticket prices from Portland to Salinas by travel date

$165$110$55OctNov

For the next 30 days, the cost of a one-way train trip from Portland to Salinas will range from $103 to $156. If you're planning to travel by train to Salinas in the upcoming week, the cheapest train ticket from Portland you can find in the next 7 days is $109. Be sure to book your trip in advance as train ticket prices typically increase as your travel date approaches.

Monthly avg. prices

$200$160$120$80$40DJFMAMJJASON
You can find the lowest prices on this route during January. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from Portland to Salinas, with the average price at just $115. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in August, when the average price goes up to $198. You can still score cheap deals below this average price, though, especially if you plan ahead and book your ticket in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$300$240$180$120$603020100

Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from Portland to Salinas. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 10 days before departure, you can save around $59.33. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!

Which train should you take from Portland to Salinas?

2 train services operate from Portland to Salinas. However, each train line only offers one daily trip.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak123h 10m$139.17
Amtrak Coast Starlight121h 46m$131.77
  • 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 1 Amtrak trains from Portland to Salinas every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $97.

  • The Amtrak Coast Starlight is a service provided by Amtrak that connects Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles on the US Pacific coast. The full journey winds through the Cascade Mountains, perfectly clipped vineyards, and dense coastal forest, allowing passengers to get a glimpse of the US west coast while enjoying air-conditioned cars, power outlets, complimentary onboard WiFi, and snacks.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Portland to Salinas

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Portland to Salinas. 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 Portland and Salinas is approximately 613 miles, or 987 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 22 hours and 33 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 21 hours and 44 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.

Sunday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Portland to Salinas. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Sunday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Wednesday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.

The earliest train departs Portland at 2:00pm while the last train of the day leaves at 2:00pm. 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 Portland 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 Salinas 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 Salinas to Portland.

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.

Salinas

Salinas, CA, US - SNS-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Salinas is a city in California popularly known as the Salad Bowl of the World- though the nickname is about more than healthy food. The city has a vibrant agriculture industry, pristine farmland, historic sites, and plenty of greenery. As an agriculture-based city, it's not surprising that there are a lot of outdoor areas to visit, from Natividad Creek Park to the Creekbridge Neighborhood Park. In addition, history lovers in Salinas can visit the National Steinbeck Center and Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Museum for their interactive exhibits, while Salinas Valley Art Gallery appeals to art lovers.

For wine lovers in Salinas, there is a wide range of wineries and vineyards in the city, with popular choices being the Chateau Sinnet Winery and Vineyard, and SMD Vineyards. Visitors to the city can check out nightclubs, lounges, and bowling centers. Salinas organizes festivals throughout the year, like the Monthly Art Market & Artisan Fair and the Annual Halloween Beer Crawl.

If you're visiting Salinas by train, over 100 cities offer routes by Amtrak. Fewer bus lines are going to the city, provided by Amtrak Thruway. There are also Monterey-Salinas Transit services for transport inside the city.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Portland?

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

Image credit: Ian Sane

Link to image attribution

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 train stations in Portland:

  • Union Station

Where is the train station in Salinas?

Main arrival station: 11 Station Pl

Salinas has one train station.

All train stations in Salinas:

  • 11 Station Pl

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