5.0
Easy to get on and checked ticket. Relaxing wat to beat highway traffic!
4.0
Booking through Wanderu worked. Amtrak booking didn't.
Cheap train tickets from Salem to Portland
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Salem to Portland Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Salem to Portland?
There are usually 7 daily bus trips available from Salem to Portland.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$15.13 | Avg. Price$14.76 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips7 | Daily Trips2 |
Duration | Duration1h 25m | Duration1h 28m |
Trip Summary
There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Salem to Portland. Traveling by train from Salem to Portland usually takes one hour and 28 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Cascades train can make the trip in one hour and 24 minutes.
| Distance | 44 mi (70 km) |
| Fastest train | 1h 24m |
| Lowest price | $11.00 |
| Trains per day | 3 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Cascades |
| Train lines | 2 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Salem to Portland
(Based on 6 ratings and reviews)
4.5
What is the price of a train ticket from Salem to Portland?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Salem to Portland was $11.00. This is basically as cheap as train fares can get. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 19 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $13.49 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Salem to Portland by month
Ticket prices for the train from Salem to Portland often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in October when the average ticket price is only $12. If you're thinking of traveling from Salem to Portland during November, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $36 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in November, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from Salem to Portland on Wanderu at least 19 days ahead of time, you can save about $13.49 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from Salem to Portland?
2 train services operate from Salem to Portland. Amtrak Cascades usually has more trains scheduled, with 2 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Cascades | 2 | 1h 25m | $11.44 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 1h 36m | $28.06 |
The Cascades is a passenger train service operated by Amtrak that runs between Vancouver, BC and Eugene, OR. Not only is the Cascades one of Amtrak's most scenic train routes, the trains also offer free WiFi, power outlets, reclining seats, and refreshments available for purchase. There are an average of 2 trips on the Amtrak Cascades from Salem to Portland, and the average train ticket costs .
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 Salem to Portland
The distance between Salem and Portland is approximately 44 miles, or 70 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 1 hour 28 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 hour 24 minutes. As a relatively short ride, taking the train is an easy way to travel between these two cities.
Trains from Salem to Portland are the most crowded on Wednesday. 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.
The earliest train departs Salem at 8:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 5:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 3 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Salem to Portland.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Portland to Salem.
City Information
Salem
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
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
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 is the train station in Salem?
Main departure station: 500 13th St SE
There is one train station in Salem.
All train stations in Salem:
500 13th St SE
Where is the train station in Portland?
Image credit: Ian Sane
Link to image attributionMain 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 train stations in Portland:
Union Station
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Need a return trip from Portland to Salem?
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