Cheap train tickets from Portland to St Paul

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Portland to St Paul. Traveling by train from Portland to St Paul usually takes 41 hours and 10 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Empire Builder train can make the trip in 37 hours and 48 minutes.

Distance
1432 mi (2304 km)
Fastest train
37h 48m
Lowest price
$229.00
Trains per day
1
Most frequent service
Amtrak Empire Builder
Train lines
2

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Portland to St Paul Train Schedule

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Portland to St Paul (Based on 2 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

SMITA

August 14, 2021 - Solo travel

Amtrak Empire Builder
Pros: The calm and peaceful journey and the scenic views outside the windows. Cons: The seats could be made more comfortable to reduce muscle fatigue at the end of a journey. Please install wifi on the trains. Tips: Invest in good ear buds or noise cancelling headphones.

5.0

Vanessa

June 18, 2019 - Solo travel

Amtrak Empire Builder
Pros: The people, the view, the roaming. I appreciated the timeliness of the train. Cons: It’s a bit pricey and the food options are not the best for the price. Could use some more healthful snack options and could be more affordable. Tips: Pack your own snacks. Make friends. Enjoy the ride.
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What is the price of a train ticket from Portland to St Paul?

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Portland to St Paul was $321.75. Considering the distance between Portland and St Paul, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 26 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $184.50 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Portland to St Paul by travel date

$465$310$155AugSep

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Portland to St Paul will cost between $149 and $462. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Portland to St Paul by month

$350$280$210$140$70JFMAMJJASOND

Ticket prices for the train from Portland to St Paul often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in January when the average ticket price is only $237. If you're thinking of traveling from Portland to St Paul during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $329 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

$525$420$315$210$105020

By booking your train trip from Portland to St Paul on Wanderu at least 26 days ahead of time, you can save about $184.50 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

What train companies travel from Portland to St Paul?

There are multiple trains that travel from Portland to St Paul, including Amtrak Empire Builder, Amtrak. Here is what you should know about the 2 most popular train lines:

TRAINDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Empire Builder237h 48m$363.85
Amtrak245h 15m$388.77
  • The Amtrak Empire Builder is a long-distance passenger rail service that has been in operation since 1929. The full 2,200-mile route takes 45 hours to connect Chicago with the Pacific Northwest. Don’t let the length of the trip intimidate you; the Empire Builder is one of Amtrak’s most popular services, and often rated as the most scenic train route in the country. The sightseer lounge, home to enormous windows, is the perfect place to drink in the incredible views of the Mississippi River, the North Dakota Plains, Glacier National Park, and the Columbia River Gorge. Overnight trips on the Empire Builder include the option to book sleeper cabins, for a more comfortable journey and included meals. All passengers can purchase meals or snacks in the cafe car.

  • 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 2 Amtrak trains from Portland to St Paul every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $279.

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Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Portland to St Paul

The distance between Portland and St Paul is approximately 1432 miles, or 2304 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 41 hours and 10 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 37 hours and 48 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.

DISTANCE (MI)

1432

DISTANCE (KM)

2304

The earliest train departs Portland at 6:45am while the last train of the day leaves at 4:45pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

EARLIEST TRAIN

6:45am

LATEST TRAIN

4:45pm

Trains from Portland to St Paul are the most crowded on Saturday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Friday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

MOST CROWDED

Saturday

LEAST CROWDED

Friday

City Information

Portland

Portland, OR - PDX-0Portland, OR - PDX-1Portland, OR - PDX-2

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.

St Paul

St. Paul, MN - STP-0St. Paul, MN - STP-1St. Paul, MN - STP-2

Saint Paul is the capital of Minnesota, and is one of the Twin Cities, along with its neighbor across the Mississippi River, Minneapolis. As the seat of Minnesota's government, Saint Paul offers historic and cultural attractions which represent both the state and the American Midwest as a whole.

For a comprehensive introduction to the region's history, start your trip at the Minnesota History Center, just down the street from the grounds of the State Capitol building. There are museums in Saint Paul for all types of interests, including the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Schubert Club Musical Instrument Museum. For an extra dash of Saint Paul history, take a stroll down Summit Avenue, a stylish street of drool-worthy Victorian houses and mansions, including the home of F. Scott Fitzgerald.

If you're brave enough to visit Saint Paul during the freezing winters, you'll be rewarded with the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, a yearly event where you can explore ice palaces, watch live ice sculpting, and compete in city-wide scavenger hunts. Saint Paul is also one of the country's best cities for craft beer, so save time to taste some local ales or even brew your own beer at Vine Park Brewing Co.

Saint Paul is a hub for travel in the Midwest thanks in part to Amtrak's Empire Builder train service which stops at Saint Paul Union Depot. Bus service from stations throughout town and nearby Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport make it easy to travel to and from this saintly city.

Station Information

Where does the train leave from in Portland?

Main departure station: Union Station

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

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 does the train arrive in St Paul?

Main arrival station: Union Depot

Union Depot - STPAMT2-0

Located right on the banks of the Mississippi River in Saint Paul’s Lowertown neighborhood, Union Depot has a remarkable history dating back to 1881. It remains the major transport hub of Saint Paul, as well as the designated station for Amtrak service in the Twin Cities. Besides the long-haul Empire Builder train, the station serves Jefferson Lines and Greyhound intercity buses and connects to local public transit. Within the Union Depot complex, you’ll find a coffee shop, restaurant, bike shop, rental car agency, and can even join a public tour to admire the architecture and learn about the station’s storied past.

All train stations in St Paul:

  • Union Depot

Need a return trip from St Paul to Portland?

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