Cheap train tickets from Seattle to Portland
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Trip Summary
There are usually 7 daily train trips available from Seattle to Portland. Traveling by train from Seattle to Portland usually takes 3 hours and 31 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Cascades train can make the trip in 3 hours and 25 minutes.
| Distance | 145 mi (233 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 25m |
| Lowest price | $22.00 |
| Trains per day | 7 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Cascades |
| Train lines | 3 |
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Seattle to Portland Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by train or bus from Seattle to Portland?
There are usually 8 daily bus trips available from Seattle to Portland.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$61.53 | Avg. Price$51.63Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips7 | Daily Trips8 |
Duration | Duration3h 31mFaster | Duration3h 44m |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Seattle to Portland (Based on 66 ratings and reviews)
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Seattle to Portland Route Map
There are several train options that can take you from Seattle to Portland:
- Amtrak Cascades: 6 daily trains from $29
- Amtrak Coast Starlight: 1 daily train from $46
- Amtrak: 2 daily trains from $22
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 $52.79. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 27 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $28.62 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Seattle to Portland by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Seattle to Portland will cost between $38 and $83. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Seattle to Portland by month
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 October when the average ticket price is only $44. If you're thinking of traveling from Seattle to Portland during November, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $60 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 Seattle to Portland on Wanderu at least 27 days ahead of time, you can save about $28.62 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
What train companies travel from Seattle to Portland?
There are multiple trains that travel from Seattle to Portland, including Amtrak Cascades, Amtrak Coast Starlight, Amtrak. Here is what you should know about the 3 most popular train lines:
| TRAIN | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Cascades | 6 | 3h 25m | $57.49 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 4h | $87.10 |
| Amtrak | 2 | 3h 45m | $31.27 |
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 6 trips on the Amtrak Cascades from Seattle to Portland, and the average train ticket costs $57.49.
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.
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 Seattle to Portland every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $22.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Seattle to Portland
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.
There are 7 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Seattle to Portland. You can also take a train for your return trip from Portland to Seattle. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Seattle to Portland for $22.
TRIPS PER DAY
7
DIRECT TRIPS
7
The distance between Seattle and Portland is approximately 145 miles, or 233 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 31 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.
DISTANCE (MI)
145
DISTANCE (KM)
233
The earliest train departs Seattle at 7:10am while the last train of the day leaves at 7:50pm. 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
7:10am
LATEST TRAIN
7:50pm
Trains from Seattle to Portland 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 Thursday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
MOST CROWDED
Saturday
LEAST CROWDED
Thursday
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 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 does the train leave from in Seattle?
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
Where does the train arrive in Portland?
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
Need a return trip from Portland to Seattle?
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