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Cheap train tickets from Seattle to Salem

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Seattle to Salem Train Schedule

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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Seattle to Salem?

There are usually 4 daily bus trips available from Seattle to Salem.

Bus
Train

Avg. Price

Avg. Price

$38.36

Avg. Price

$53.32

Daily Trips

Daily Trips

4

Daily Trips

5

Duration

Duration

5h 49m

Duration

6h 6m

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Trip Summary

You can pick from 6 daily train trips between Seattle and Salem. The average train journey from Seattle to Salem takes 6 hours and 7 minutes, but some Amtrak Cascades train trips are as short as 4 hours and 59 minutes.

Distance187 mi (301 km)
Fastest train4h 59m
Lowest price$40.00
Trains per day3
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines3

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Seattle to Salem

(Based on 6 ratings and reviews)

4.5

5.0

ELLYN

June 2, 2023- Visiting friends

Amtrak

Cons: Wipe down highly touched surfaces and obvious dirty spots on seat area. Tips: Don’t expect good consistent WiFi.

4.0

Lawrence

February 8, 2023- Solo travel

Amtrak

On time. Not crowded. Relaxing. Friendly.

4.0

Glenda

November 26, 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Cascades

Pros: Meeting new people, not having to drive. Cons: Better estimates of time. Tips: Relax and enjoy.

5.0

Elizabeth

February 2, 2020- Business

Amtrak Cascades

Comfortable train ride! Nice staff.

4.0

Mariko

September 12, 2019- Solo travel

Amtrak Cascades

Pros: Very easy transportation from the station to downtown’s hotels. Cons: It was not clean seat’s tables and arm rest. When I wiped with disinfecting wipe, wipe got so black and dirty. I had to change wipes five times to clean. It means that they have never hardly clean these area which I thought. Tips: Very easy travel.

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Seattle to Salem was $40.00. Compared to most train fares, this is an excellent price. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 25 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $28.20 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Seattle to Salem by travel date

$60$40$20OctNov

The average cost of a one-way train trip from Seattle to Salem is expected to fluctuate between $40 and $54 in the next 30 days. If you’re planning a train trip to Salem in the upcoming week, the cheapest price in the next 7 days for a ticket from Seattle is $41.

Monthly avg. prices

$100$80$60$40$20DJFMAMJJASON
Ticket prices for the train from Seattle to Salem 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 $49. If you're thinking of traveling from Seattle to Salem during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $88 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

$125$100$75$50$253020100

If you're looking to save on your train trip from Seattle to Salem, book online with Wanderu at least 25 days in advance. That way, you’ll save $28.20 compared to booking your ticket last minute.

Which train should you take from Seattle to Salem?

There are 3 train lines with service from Seattle to Salem. Amtrak is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 4 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak46h 31m$48.20
Amtrak Cascades14h 59m$54.77
Amtrak Coast Starlight15h 41m$54.55
  • 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 4 Amtrak trains from Seattle to Salem every day, as well as 4 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $40.

  • 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 Seattle to Salem, 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 Seattle to Salem

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Seattle to Salem. 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 Salem is approximately 187 miles, or 301 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 7 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 59 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 departing from Seattle to Salem tend to have the most passengers on Tuesday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Tuesday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Saturday as the least number of people tend to travel then.

The earliest train departs Seattle at 7:00am 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 6 scheduled trains on most days. 3 of these are direct connections to Salem. 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 Salem 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.

Salem

Salem, OR, US - SAM-0

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.

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

Where is the train station in Salem?

Main arrival station: 500 13th St SE

Salem has one train station.

All train stations in Salem:

  • 500 13th St SE

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Salem by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Need a return trip from Salem to Seattle?

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