Downtown Portland can be reached by taking the MAX rapid transit system's Red Line. A 2.5-hour ticket costs 2,20 usd, and an all-day ticket costs 5 usd.
The streetcar runs every 15 minutes and takes 40 minutes to get downtown. The first service leaves around 5:00, the last at 23:45.
Car rental
Travelling around the USA is most comfortable by car. There are many car rental companies at the airport, and normal weekly rental rates are around 275 usd.
Car rental counters are located in the parking garage directly across from the terminal.
Compare prices - book a car on booking.com
Metro - MAX Red Line
Public transportation from the airport to downtown Portland is provided by the MAX light rail, specifically the Red Line.
The subway goes directly downtown to Pioneer Place and continues on to the western suburb of Beaverton.
- Travel time - 40 minutes to downtown
- Frequency - 15 minutes (late evening 30 minutes)
- Last train from airport - 0:27 (additional trains until 1:46 only go to Gateway TC station in East Portland)
- First train from Pioneer Square Station - 3:59
- Search for connections and schedules: trimet.org
Fares
Tickets can be purchased from the ticket machine at the station (you can pay by card or cash).
However, it's much easier to pay with your own contactless card/watch/mobile. Just attach the card to the green reader inside the train/bus/tram when you board. You don't need to attach the card to the reader when you get off.
- 2,80 usd - 150 minute transfer fare
- 5,60 usd - all-day fare (if you pay by card, you will never be charged more than this amount for 1 calendar day, regardless of the number of journeys you make around the city)
These fares are valid for riding all Trimet vehicles throughout Portland (including the airport).
For up-to-date and detailed information, visit the official website: trimet.org/fares.
Tip for a hotel near a metro station
We recommend staying at a well-rated hotel with great value for money about 150 meters from the Red Line "Morrsion SW/3rd Ave" subway station.
The hotel is located in a quiet part of downtown near the Willamette River waterfront.
Taxi, Uber, Lyft
The most convenient way to get to Portland is via the ubiquitous taxis or cars from the mobile apps Uber and Lyft.
It takes about 20 minutes by car to get to downtown Portland in the early morning or late evening. During the day, depending on congestion, travel time can increase to 45 minutes.
The average taxi fare to downtown Portland is 50 usd.
Services like Uber and Lyft can offer significantly lower prices from 41 usd.
Local and regional buses
There are also several local and regional bus routes that run directly to the terminal.
- Route 67 - to Fisher's Landing Transit Center in East Vancouver on the opposite side of the Columbia River
- 1,25 usd / 1 ride - pay cash at the driver or with your own contactless card/watch/mobile
- Frequency - 60 minutes (runs weekday afternoons only)
- Schedule and other information: c-tran.com/routes/67
- PDX - Groome Transportation's line runs about once an hour to Corvallis, Albany or Salem, online reservations required!
- Timetables and online reservations: groometransportation.com/portland-airport
