Cheap train tickets from Tacoma to Portland
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
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 43 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 2 hours and 35 minutes.
| Distance | 120 mi (193 km) |
| Fastest train | 2h 35m |
| Lowest price | $19.00 |
| Trains per day | 7 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Cascades |
| Train lines | 3 |
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
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.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Download our free app!
Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
4.8 Rating
5k Reviews
4.5 Rating
4.8k Reviews
Tacoma to Portland Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by train or bus from Tacoma to Portland?
There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from Tacoma to Portland.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$53.97 | Avg. Price$43.27Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips7 | Daily Trips2 |
Duration | Duration2h 43m | Duration2h 38mFaster |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Tacoma to Portland (Based on 21 ratings and reviews)
5.0
5.0
5.0
4.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
4.0
5.0
4.0
There are several train options that can take you from Tacoma to Portland:
- Amtrak Cascades: 6 daily trains from $24
- Amtrak Coast Starlight: 1 daily train from $36
- Amtrak: 1 daily train from $19
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 $30.00. 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 28 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $36.00 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Tacoma to Portland by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Tacoma to Portland will cost between $31 and $101. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Tacoma to Portland by month
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 $38. 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 $52 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
By booking your train trip from Tacoma to Portland on Wanderu at least 28 days ahead of time, you can save about $36.00 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
What train companies travel from Tacoma to Portland?
There are multiple trains that travel from Tacoma 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 | 2h 37m | $48.07 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 3h 12m | $89.85 |
| Amtrak | 1 | 3h 1m | $24.33 |
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 Tacoma to Portland, and the average train ticket costs $48.07.
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 1 Amtrak trains from Tacoma to Portland every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $19.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Tacoma to Portland
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.
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. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Tacoma to Portland for $19.
TRIPS PER DAY
7
DIRECT TRIPS
7
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 43 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.
DISTANCE (MI)
120
DISTANCE (KM)
193
The earliest train departs Tacoma at 8:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 8:38pm. 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
8:00am
LATEST TRAIN
8:38pm
Trains from Tacoma to Portland are the most crowded on Friday. 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 Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
MOST CROWDED
Friday
LEAST CROWDED
Wednesday
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 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 Tacoma?
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 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 Tacoma?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Tacoma
Continue by train from Portland
Check out these popular routes
- Portland to Seattle Train$51+
- Seattle to New York Train$600+
- Los Angeles to San Diego Train$42+
- San Diego to Los Angeles Train$36+
- Portland, ME to Seattle, WA Train$490+
- Philadelphia to New York Train$54+
- Orlando to Miami Train$43+
- New York to Boston Train$124+
- Seattle to Vancouver Train$84+
- Boston to New Rochelle Train$75+
- Boston to New York Train$109+
- Providence to New York Train$111+
- Montreal to Québec City Train$48+
- New York to Providence Train$112+
- Washington, DC to New York Train$110+
- New York to Washington, DC Train$116+
- Seattle, WA to Vancouver, WA Train$53+
- New York to Philadelphia Train$57+
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.