Cheap train tickets from Madison to Portland
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Madison to Portland. Traveling by train from Madison to Portland usually takes 76 hours and 23 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 48 hours and 47 minutes.
| Distance | 1642 mi (2643 km) |
| Fastest train | 48h 47m |
| Lowest price | $449.00 |
| Trains per day | 0 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
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
Madison to Portland Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by train or bus from Madison to Portland?
There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from Madison to Portland.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$593.79 | Avg. Price$301.31Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips2 |
Duration | Duration76h 23m | Duration62h 54mFaster |
There are several train options that can take you from Madison to Portland:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Madison to Portland?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Madison to Portland was $552.42. Considering the distance between Madison and Portland, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. 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 $119.98 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Madison to Portland by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Madison to Portland will cost between $229 and $530. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Madison to Portland by month
Ticket prices for the train from Madison to Portland 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 $288. If you're thinking of traveling from Madison to Portland during August, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $504 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 Madison to Portland on Wanderu at least 1 days ahead of time, you can save about $119.98 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
What train companies travel from Madison to Portland?
There are multiple trains that travel from Madison to Portland, including Amtrak. Here is what you should know about the 1 most popular train lines:
| TRAIN | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 76h 23m | $593.79 |
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 Madison to Portland every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $449.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Madison to Portland
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. You can also take a train for your return trip from Portland to Madison. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Madison to Portland for $220.
TRIPS PER DAY
1
DIRECT TRIPS
0
The distance between Madison and Portland is approximately 1642 miles, or 2643 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 76 hours and 23 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 48 hours and 47 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)
1642
DISTANCE (KM)
2643
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Madison at 8:00am and arrives in Portland around 48 hours later.
EARLIEST TRAIN
8:00am
LATEST TRAIN
12:30pm
Trains from Madison 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.
MOST CROWDED
Saturday
LEAST CROWDED
Monday
City Information
Madison
Consistently ranking high on the lists of the best places to live in the USA, Madison still maintains its quaint and idyllic small-town vibe despite being the capital city of Wisconsin. Sitting among the city’s most iconic and most popular landmarks is the Madison Memorial Union, which is located within the campus of the University of Madison. The building features a lakeview terrace filled with colorful chairs, allowing visitors to chill out and enjoy the sun. If you are interested in the history of the state or architecture as a whole, head over to the State Capitol building, which was built between 1906 and 1917. The building features lavish council chambers, which were modeled after the famous Doge’s Palace in Venice, along with other architectural highlights. If you wish to stay close to nature, the Olbrich Botanical garden, with its famous Thai Pavilion and Garden, will certainly be a great choice.
As a college city, Madison features numerous cutting-edge establishments that will make your mouth water. For some of the best dining views in town, head over to Graze, where you can also grab some of the best cheese curds in Madison. If you want to enjoy the best brunch in town, Sardine might have what you need.
The busiest bus/train station in Madison is located on Collins Ct. The city is served by the Dane County Regional Airport, 6 miles northeast of downtown.
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 Madison?
Main departure station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
There are two stations in Madison where you can board the train to Portland.
All train stations in Madison:
- University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
- Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot
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 Madison?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Madison
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.