4.0
Pros: Able to get up and move around. Cons: Free snacks or reasonably priced food. Working Wi-Fi. Tips: Pack a meal.
5.0
I enjoyed the scenery that you were able to view by taking the train as opposed to the highway.
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
Trip Summary
3 trains operate daily from Bellingham to Portland. The train trip from Bellingham to Portland is usually about 6 hours and 34 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak Cascades train can get you there in as little as 6 hours and 21 minutes.
| Distance | 223 mi (359 km) |
| Fastest train | 6h 21m |
| Lowest price | $34.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Bellingham to Portland
(Based on 4 ratings and reviews)
4.5
What is the price of a train ticket from Bellingham to Portland?
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Bellingham to Portland was $49.90. This is an excellent deal, especially considering the length of the journey. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Portland if you book your train tickets at least 29 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra $16.10.
Average prices by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Bellingham to Portland will cost between $45 and $66. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Monthly avg. prices
Ticket prices for the train from Bellingham to Portland often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in February when the average ticket price is only $47. If you're thinking of traveling from Bellingham to Portland during September, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $64 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in September, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from Bellingham to Portland on Wanderu at least 29 days ahead of time, you can save about $16.10 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from Bellingham to Portland?
2 train services operate from Bellingham to Portland. Amtrak 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 | 2 | 6h 41m | $53.45 |
| Amtrak Cascades | 1 | 6h 22m | $57.58 |
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 Bellingham to Portland every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $46.
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 1 trips on the Amtrak Cascades from Bellingham to Portland, and the average train ticket costs .
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Bellingham to Portland. 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 Bellingham and Portland is approximately 223 miles, or 359 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 34 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 6 hours and 21 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.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Bellingham to Portland on Thursday. Tickets for Thursday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Saturday. Saturday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Bellingham at 9:00am 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.
There are 3 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Bellingham to Portland. In contrast, taking a non-direct train would require you to transfer trains during your trip.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Portland to Bellingham.
City Information
Bellingham
Image credit: Unsplash
Bellingham is a scenic coastal city nestled between Mount Baker and the Puget Sound in Washington State. Its waterfront port is the launch point for fishing trips, leisure boating, and cruises to Alaska — a convenient starting point, since the city is only 25 miles south of the Canadian border. Sprawling Whatcom Falls Park showcases the best of the Northwest's natural forested beauty, one of the features that make Bellingham a top Washington destination. Plus, it's only a short drive to the #1 most instagrammable National Park, North Cascades National Park.
Kiddos will light up when they visit the SPARK Museum of Electrical Inventions, home to hands-on science exhibits and live demonstrations. If you're traveling without kids, prepare to hit up Bellingham's brewery scene. Bars, wineries, cideries, and more fine establishments offer quality drinks at prices that still lure students from local Western Washington University. Find some of the best restaurants and shops in the Fairhaven Historic District, distinctive for its Victorian architecture and views over Bellingham Bay.
FlixBus, Quick Shuttle, and Amtrak Thruway buses connect Bellingham to major cities in the Northwest like Seattle. Ambitious travelers can even travel to Bellingham by bus from Minneapolis! Bellingham's proximity to Canada makes it easy to travel to Vancouver, BC via bus or train on the Amtrak Cascades. Several airlines fly into Bellingham International Airport, but Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is only about 2 hours away if you need to catch a flight to farther destinations.
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 Bellingham?
Main departure station: 401 Harris Ave
There is one train station in Bellingham.
All train stations in Bellingham:
401 Harris Ave
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
Get around town with Moovit
Find the best way to get to and from any station in Portland by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now
Need a return trip from Portland to Bellingham?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Bellingham
- Train from Bellingham to Vancouver
$19+
- Bellingham to Chicago Train
$321+
- Bellingham to Boston Train
$468+
- Bellingham to Whitefish Train
$133+
- Train from Bellingham to Beaverton
$63+
- Train from Bellingham to Eugene
$89+
- Train from Bellingham to Salem
$72+
- Train from Bellingham to Centralia
$44+
- Bellingham to Edmonds Train
$22+
- Train from Bellingham to Everett
$19+
- Train from Bellingham to Kelso
$50+
- Train from Bellingham to Leavenworth
$76+
- Bellingham to Mt Vernon Train
$12+
- Bellingham to Seattle Train
$19+
- Bellingham to Spokane Train
$55+
- Train from Bellingham to Tacoma
$33+
- Train from Bellingham to Tukwila
$27+
- Bellingham to Vancouver Train
$54+
Continue by train from Portland
- Train from Portland to Vancouver
$79+
- Train from Portland to Phoenix
$247+
- Train from Portland to Los Angeles
$157+
- Train from Portland to Sacramento
$98+
- Portland to San Francisco Train
$114+
- Train from Portland to Boston
$638+
- Train from Portland to New York
$430+
- Train from Portland to Corvallis
$20+
- Portland to Eugene Train
$18+
Check out these popular routes
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more