Wanderu Logo
United States flag
  • Canada
$
Log in
background-img-buses-trains
chiku-desktop

Seattle to Portland train

chiku-mobile
Available on iOS & Android
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.

Seattle - Portland Train Schedule

Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.
RentalCars logotypeRentalCars logotype
from$30.00

Trip Summary

There are usually 11 daily train trips available from Seattle to Portland. Traveling by train from Seattle to Portland usually takes 7 hours and 43 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 3 hours and 25 minutes.

Distance145 mi (233 km)
Fastest train3h 25m
Lowest price$29.00
Trains per day7
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines3

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Seattle to Portland

(Based on 60 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Betelhem

June 7, 2024- Visiting friends

Amtrak Cascades

I had a good experience

5.0

Yong

October 11, 2023- Business

Amtrak Cascades

Pros: On time improvement. Only late by 10min rather than 30min in the past. Cons: Be on time.

5.0

Joshua

July 9, 2023- Visiting friends

Amtrak

Pros: The view was very nice. Tips: Be there early just to be safe.

4.0

Dion

May 29, 2023- Solo travel

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: It was great to be able to sit in the observation car on the train. Cons: I was a bit confused by the word ‘coach’ on my booking, so I had thought it was a bus and not a train that I was getting. Happy to find out it was in fact a train. Tips: Wanderu seems pretty easy to use and the price of the train from Seattle to Portland was better than I had expected.

5.0

Alexis

February 27, 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak Coast Starlight

WiFi - if there was any onboard it wasn't working at all so I had to use my hotspot on my phone which drained my battery.

Seattle to Portland Route Map

Seattle Portland
See more details

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Seattle to Portland was $76.50. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 1 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $10.45 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average prices by travel date

$105$70$35SepSep

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Seattle to Portland will cost between $56 and $99. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Monthly average prices

$75$60$45$30$15ONDJFMAMJJAS
Ticket prices for the train from Seattle to Portland often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in September when the average ticket price is only $56. If you're thinking of traveling from Seattle to Portland during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $70 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$100$80$60$40$203020100

By booking your train trip from Seattle to Portland on Wanderu at least 1 days ahead of time, you can save about $10.45 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Seattle to Portland?

There are 3 train lines with service from Seattle to Portland. Amtrak is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 6 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak68h 33m$94.67
Amtrak Cascades43h 25m$43.13
Amtrak Coast Starlight14h 0m$46.52

  • 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 6 Amtrak trains from Seattle to Portland every day, as well as 10 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $29.

  • 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 4 trips on the Amtrak Cascades from Seattle 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

The Amtrak in Seattle departs from King Street Station, and arrives into Union Station in Portland. King Street Station is located at 303 South Jackson St., near CenturyLink Field.
Throughout most of the year, the temperature difference between Portland and Seattle is negligible. In the summer, however, Portland tends to be warmer due to Seattle’s more maritime climate. Essentially, because Seattle is closer to the sea, it’s cooler than further-inland Portland. Otherwise, both cities experience similar weather, including a lot of rain.

On the Amtrak Cascades, there are six stops between King Street Station in Seattle and Union Station in Portland. These stops are: Tukwila, WA; Tacoma, WA; Lacey (Olympia), WA; Centralia, WA; Longview (Kelso), WA; and Vancouver, WA.

On the Amtrak Coast Starlight, there are five stops between King Street Station in Seattle and Union Station in Portland. These stops are: Tacoma, WA; Lacey (Olympia), WA; Centralia, WA; Longview (Kelso), WA; and Vancouver, WA.

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Seattle 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 Seattle and Portland is approximately 145 miles, or 233 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 7 hours and 43 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 25 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.

Trains from Seattle 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 Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

The earliest train departs Seattle at 5:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 7:00pm. 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 11 scheduled trains on most days. 7 of these are direct connections to Portland. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Portland to Seattle.

City Information

Seattle

Seattle is a must-see destination on the West Coast of the United States, offering many unique activities for any type of traveler. However, we're confident every visitor will enjoy the view of Mount Rainier from the top of Seattle's iconic Space Needle. Outdoor enthusiasts can bike, hike, boat, and ski in one of the top cities for outdoor activities in the U.S., while soaking in the Pacific Northwest's natural beauty (and yes, some rain as well). Urban explorers will love walking through Pike Place Market and experiencing Seattle's museums and public art, like the scenic Olympic Sculpture Park. These offerings and more make Seattle one of the best vacation destination in Washington.

Known for its coffee culture and as the birthplace of Starbucks, Seattle is also one of the top 5 craft beer cities in the U.S., which is ideal for those who prefer to experience the taste of a city served up in a latte mug or a pint glass.

Seattle is home to the largest airport in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle-Tacoma Airport, but there are plenty of other ways to continue your travels from the Emerald City. A short ferry ride to Bainbridge Island includes the chance to see orca whales in the Puget Sound, or you can catch the Amtrak Cascades train or one of several affordable bus options from the historic King Street Station to other exciting Northwest cities in British Columbia, Oregon and beyond.

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 is the train station in Seattle?

Seattle, WA - King Street Station - SEAAMT-0

Image credit: SounderBruce

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: King St Station - 303 S Jackson St

King Street Station is the main station for Amtrak train service and Greyhound bus service in Seattle, with connections to local public transit like the Link Light Rail and King County Metro at the International District/Chinatown station one block away. Located near downtown Seattle in the trendy Pioneer Square neighborhood, King Street Station opened in 1906 and continues to impress travelers with its restored Italian architecture and Venetian-style clocktower. King Street Station has on-site Amtrak staff, restrooms, and vending machines, and while there are no restaurants in the station, several nearby coffee shops and eateries make it easy to fuel up before your trip.

All train stations in Seattle:

  • King St Station - 303 S Jackson St

  • Pacific Central Station

  • 10251 St Edwards Dr

Where is the train station 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 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

From the Wanderu blog

Need a return trip from Portland to Seattle?

Search Train Tickets

Plan your next adventure

More trains from Seattle

Continue by train from Portland

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

iPhone
Android
Available on iOS & Android