Wanderu Logo
United States flag
  • Canada
$
Log in
background-img-buses-trains
chiku-desktop

Portland to Seattle - Compare Buses, Trains and Flights

chiku-mobile
Available on iOS & Android

Travel from Portland to Seattle

There are a variety of ways to get from Portland to Seattle other than having to drive there yourself. Primary methods of travel include riding a bus, taking a train or flying. Deciding between these options will depend on what you value most between price, speed and comfort. Here is what you need to know:

Fastest time

3h 30m

Cheapest ticket

$27

Daily trips

4

Traveling by Amtrak train is the most comfortable way to get from Portland to Seattle. Fares start at about $27, with 4 trains departing each day.

This route is serviced by Amtrak Cascades and Amtrak Coast Starlight, both of which are considered among the most scenic Amtrak routes in the country, with views of the Cascade Mountains and the Puget Sound visible out of your window.

Fastest time

3h 15m

Cheapest ticket

$1

Daily trips

15

With ticket prices as low as $1, and 15 trips departing throughout the day, traveling by bus between Portland and Seattle is a convenient, budget-friendly option.

The bus carriers servicing this route — BoltBus and Greyhound — offer amenities like free Wi-Fi, power outlets and on-board bathrooms.

Fastest time

0h 58m

Cheapest ticket

$48

Daily trips

22

With a typical travel time of about 1 hour for nonstop flights, taking a plane is definitely the quickest way to get from Portland to Seattle.

Portland International Airport suggests arriving 2 hours prior to your scheduled flight, so plan accordingly. PDX is located 13 miles northeast of downtown Portland, and is easily accessible on TriMet’s MAX Red Line, about a 40-minute ride.

Fastest time

3h 30m

Cheapest ticket

$27

Daily trips

4

Traveling by Amtrak train is the most comfortable way to get from Portland to Seattle. Fares start at about $27, with 4 trains departing each day.

This route is serviced by Amtrak Cascades and Amtrak Coast Starlight, both of which are considered among the most scenic Amtrak routes in the country, with views of the Cascade Mountains and the Puget Sound visible out of your window.

Of the 3 different ways you can travel from Portland to Seattle, the best option depends on your priorities. If you’re looking for the best budget option, a bus is the way to go, with tickets typically going for around $17. If you’re looking to get to Seattle as quickly as possible, then a flight is probably your best bet, with an average travel time of 1 hour. Taking a train balances the best of both worlds, with reasonably priced tickets on a comfortable, scenic and (relatively) short ride.
Taking a flight is the fastest way to get to Seattle from Portland. Nonstop flights can get to Seattle in as quick as 58 minutes. To compare, the quickest bus on this route takes around 3 hours 15 minutes, and the quickest Amtrak train takes 3 hours 30 minutes.
Traveling by bus is the cheapest way to get to Seattle from Portland, with tickets averaging about $17. Train travel is just a tad more expensive, costing around $34 per ticket. Flights are the most high-priced option, with tickets averaging $68.
The distance between the two cities is about 144 miles, or 233 kilometers. Getting to Seattle from Portland can take anywhere from 58 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes, depending on the mode of transportation.
BoltBus is the cheapest, fastest bus option for this route, and offers 7 trips per day.

Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more

iPhone
Android
Available on iOS & Android