- Must visit
Portland Art Museum
Major art museum with Native American, modern, and Northwest collections; one of Portland’s core cultural attractions.

Cheapest price
$12
Average price
$12
Fastest journey
1h 24m
Average duration
1h 24m
Trains per day
1
Distance
71 km
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Salem, OR to Portland, OR among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $12. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 1h 19m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $12, and a train costs an average of $11.
Distance: 43 miles (70 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$24 Average price | $20 Average price Cheapest | $10 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 57m Average total duration 1h 27m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 49m Average total duration Fastest 1h 19m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 51m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Salem, OR to Portland, OR:
A bus is $3 (€3) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Salem, OR to Portland, OR costing on average $24 (€20).
Other travel options to Portland, OR take longer:
Train takes on average 1h 27m.
Tickets start at around $24 (€20) compared to roughly $10 (€8) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-13.95 (€-11.46). The journey takes 1h 27m versus 51m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Salem, OR to Portland, OR trains for today, Thursday, July 9. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
508 Amtrak Cascades | 5:41 PM Salem Railroad Station, Salem, OR | 1h24 | 7:05 PM Portland Union Station, Portland, OR | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, July 10 | |||||
![]() | 12:41 AM Salem, OR | 1h24 | 2:05 AM Portland, OR | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 3:56 PM Salem, OR | 1h24 | 5:20 PM Portland, OR | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 4:56 PM Salem, OR | 1h24 | 6:20 PM Portland, OR | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:04 PM Salem, OR | 1h36 | 10:40 PM Portland, OR | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 10:04 PM Salem, OR | 1h36 | 11:40 PM Portland, OR | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Salem, OR to Portland, OR run on average 3 times per day, taking around 1h 27m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $11 (€9) if you book in advance.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 06:35, the last at 20:39. The fastest train covers the 43 miles (70 km) distance in 1h 24m.
Distance 43 miles (70 km) |
Average train duration 1h 27m |
Cheapest ticket price $11 (€9) |
Trains per day 3 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 1h 24m |
First train 6:35 AM |
Last train 8:39 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 5 days |
Discover the best of Portland — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Portland trip today.
Major art museum with Native American, modern, and Northwest collections; one of Portland’s core cultural attractions.
Large hands-on science museum with interactive exhibits, a planetarium, and rotating special displays.
Historic house museum overlooking Portland, known for period interiors and strong city-history interpretation.
Major urban park with gardens, trails, memorials, and viewpoints; one of Portland’s essential outdoor destinations.
Huge urban forest with extensive hiking trails, popular for nature access close to the city center.
Famous hillside rose garden with seasonal blooms and postcard-worthy views of downtown and Mount Hood.
Portland is one of the leading craft beer cities in the United States, known for hop-forward IPAs, seasonal ales, and a deep brewery culture.
The city is famous for meticulous third-wave coffee culture, with carefully sourced beans, lighter roasts, and expertly prepared espresso drinks.
Playful, highly recognizable doughnuts helped define Portland food tourism, blending classic American doughnut culture with quirky local flair.
Acclaimed French-inspired restaurant known for rich, inventive dishes and an intimate dining room. One of Portland’s best-known fine dining spots.
Popular Southern restaurant celebrated for fried chicken, waffles, and brunch, with a lively atmosphere and long-standing local following.
Historic downtown seafood restaurant known for oyster, salmon, and classic Pacific Northwest specialties in an old-school setting.
Moderate by U.S. city standards. Food and coffee are reasonable, but hotels and fine dining can be pricey in central areas.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants with table service. Tip USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up taxis, and tip delivery drivers about 15-20%. Little or no tip is expected at counter-service cafes.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Salem, OR to Portland, OR by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Portland, OR, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Salem, OR to Portland, OR trains use the Salem Railroad Station to Portland Union Station station pair, with some services arriving at Vancouver Station. Use this guide to compare Salem, OR and Portland, OR train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Salem Railroad Station is 1 km from Salem city centre. Public transport options include:
Salem Railroad Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Gamberetti's Italian Restaurant, Word of Mouth Neighborhood Bistro
Free.
Ticket office support is available at Salem Railroad Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Salem Railroad Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Salem Railroad Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Salem Railroad Station: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Salem Railroad Station: Ramps.
Nearby hotels include The Grand Hotel in Salem, Phoenix Inn Suites Salem, Howard Johnson by Wyndham Salem.
Portland Union Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Wilf's Restaurant & Bar, Al-Amir Lebanese Restaurant
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Portland Union Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Portland Union Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Portland Union Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Portland Union Station: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Portland Union Station: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Downtown, The Benson, a Coast Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center.
Portland, International Airport (New PDX Terminal) is 9 km from Portland city centre. Check local transport options before travel.
Portland, International Airport (New PDX Terminal) has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Portland, International Airport (New PDX Terminal).
ATMs are available at Portland, International Airport (New PDX Terminal).
Available at Portland, International Airport (New PDX Terminal): Parking, WC.
Available at Portland, International Airport (New PDX Terminal): Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Portland, International Airport (New PDX Terminal).
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need