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Tacoma to Portland train

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Tacoma to Portland Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

There are usually 7 daily train trips available from Tacoma to Portland. Traveling by train from Tacoma to Portland usually takes 2 hours and 42 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 2 hours and 35 minutes.

Distance120 mi (193 km)
Fastest train2h 35m
Lowest price$24.00
Trains per day7
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Cascades
Train lines3

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Tacoma to Portland

(Based on 19 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Lola

July 13, 2024- Visiting family

Amtrak Cascades

Pros: Convenient and safe. Cons: No improvement needed. Tips: Very convenient and easy way to travel.

4.0

Tytiana

May 10, 2024- Couples trip

Amtrak

Pros: I was able to have a different experience with my family. Chance to see places in other ways and overall my lil one was very happy and excited. Cons: More variety of snacks and drinks and food wise . Tips: Try something different with a friend/ partner.

5.0

Jemari

March 4, 2024- Visiting family

Amtrak Cascades

Pros: It was just me and my daughter and we loved every min of riding on the train. I for sure am going to book through Wanderu and ride again. Cons: Nothing it was perfect for me. Tips: Just make sure you have someone drop you off if you’re planning staying somewhere over night. No overnight parking there.

5.0

Tuumamao

February 19, 2023- Business

Amtrak Cascades

Pros: Very smooth ride. Cons: Nothing. Tips: Relax and enjoy the ride.

5.0

Winfred

January 6, 2023- Solo travel

Amtrak

Pros: Good.keep it up. Cons: N/A. Tips: N/A.

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Tacoma to Portland was $24.00. 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 24 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $17.71 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average prices by travel date

$45$30$15SepOct

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Tacoma to Portland will cost between $24 and $34. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Monthly average prices

$50$40$30$20$10NDJFMAMJJASO
Ticket prices for the train from Tacoma to Portland often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in January when the average ticket price is only $24. If you're thinking of traveling from Tacoma to Portland during August, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $35 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in August, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$103020100

By booking your train trip from Tacoma to Portland on Wanderu at least 24 days ahead of time, you can save about $17.71 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Tacoma to Portland?

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

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak22h 36m$30.45
Amtrak Cascades42h 37m$33.04
Amtrak Coast Starlight13h 13m$34.67

  • 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 Tacoma to Portland every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $24.

  • 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 Tacoma 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

Portland is the largest and most populous city in the state of Oregon, located near the Oregon/Washington State border. The Rose City has a metro population of 2,478,810 and a city square mileage of 145 square miles (or 376 square kilometers).
The earliest train from Tacoma to Portland is on the Amtrak Cascades line, and departs at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time. The latest train departs at 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
On average it takes between 2 hours and 45 minutes and 3.5 hours — over a distance of 144 miles (231.7 kilometers) — to travel from Tacoma to Portland by train.
Yes, there are some trains that travel the entire distance from Tacoma to Portland. However, in some cases you will have to take a bus for part of your journey in addition to taking the train.
The distance between Tacoma and Portland is approximately 120 miles, or 193 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 hours and 42 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 35 minutes. Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.

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

The earliest train departs Tacoma at 8:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 8:00pm. 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 7 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Tacoma to Portland.

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

City Information

Tacoma

Tacoma has seen some hard times in recent years, but the city is receiving many new revival attempts, turning it into a charming town with its own unique attractions. For those interested in the history of the city, as well as the creativity of its residents, head towards the Museum District, which houses numerous interesting museums such as the Tacoma Art Museum and the Washington State History Museum. While in the area, don’t miss out on the chance to marvel at the architectural ingenuity of the Bridge of Glass. If you wish to enjoy a bit of outdoor air, diving into the cold water of American Lake in Lakewood in the morning is bound to make you happy.

Seafood has always been among Tacoma’s finest offerings, and the best place to enjoy these dishes is Duke’s Chowder House, which features a bay view. For a more exquisite taste, head over to Indochine, a pan-Asian restaurant featuring mouth watering dishes.

The main bus station and the Amtrak train station in Tacoma are both near downtown, just a few blocks from each other. Tacoma is served by Amtrak’s Cascades and Coast Starlight lines. The city’s main airport is Seattle–Tacoma International and it sits 22 miles north of the city.

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 Tacoma?

422 E 25th Ave - TACAMT-0

Image credit: WSDOT/AmtrakCascades

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: 422 E. 25th St.

The Amtrak station in Tacoma is located at 422 E 25th St, near I-5 and close to the Tacoma Dome. The Tacoma Dome Station is served by Amtrak Cascades, which travels between Vancouver, BC, Seattle, Portland, and Eugene, and Amtrak’s Coast Starlight from Seattle to Los Angeles. Local Sound Transit's commuter rail station is next door. The bus terminal on Puyallup Ave is across the street from the train station complex for easy transfers to local or intercity buses. The station complex includes two parking garages and a customer service center with restrooms and vending machines. Nearby attractions in Tacoma include Freighthouse Square, a shopping mall inside an old depot, and several museums like the Washington State History Museum and the Museum of Glass.

All train stations in Tacoma:

  • 422 E. 25th St.

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

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