The cheapest and fastest trains from Salem, OR to Portland, OR
Cheapest price
$12
Average price
$17
Fastest journey
1 h 24 m
Average duration
1 h 28 m
Trains per day
3
Distance
70 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Salem, OR to Portland, OR is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Salem, OR to Portland, OR will cost around $17 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $12.
Of the 3 trains that leave Salem, OR for Portland, OR on Tue, May 26, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, May 26 the direct trains cover the 70 km distance in an average of 1 h 28 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 24 m .
On Tue, May 26 the slowest trains will take 1 h 36 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
508 Amtrak Cascades5:41 PM1h24Salem Railroad Station, Salem, OR7:05 PMPortland Union Station, Portland, OR$121One-way0 transfers
504 Amtrak Cascades8:56 AM1h24Salem Railroad Station, Salem, OR10:20 AMPortland Union Station, Portland, OR$121One-way0 transfers
14 Coast Starlight2:04 PM1h36Salem Railroad Station, Salem, OR3:40 PMPortland Union Station, Portland, OR$271One-way0 transfers
508 Amtrak Cascades5:41 PM1h24Salem Railroad Station, Salem, OR7:05 PMPortland Union Station, Portland, OR$121One-way0 transfers
504 Amtrak Cascades8:56 AM1h24Salem Railroad Station, Salem, OR10:20 AMPortland Union Station, Portland, OR$121One-way0 transfers
14 Coast Starlight2:04 PM1h36Salem Railroad Station, Salem, OR3:40 PMPortland Union Station, Portland, OR$271One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Salem, OR to Portland, OR
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)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$24 Average price | $21 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 $-14.21 (€-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.
Live departures
Salem, OR to Portland, OR train times
The table below shows live departures for Salem, OR to Portland, OR trains for today, Monday, May 25. 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 | |
| Tuesday, May 26 | |||||
504 Amtrak Cascades | 8:56 AM Salem Railroad Station, Salem, OR | 1h24 | 10:20 AM Portland Union Station, Portland, OR | 0 transfersDirect | |
14 Coast Starlight | 2:04 PM Salem Railroad Station, Salem, OR | 1h36 | 3:40 PM Portland Union Station, Portland, OR | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Salem, OR to Portland, OR by train or bus
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.
May 26
May 27
May 28
May 29
May 30
May 31
Jun 01
Journey information
Overview: Train from Salem, OR to Portland, OR
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 |
Train companies: Amtrak from Salem, OR to Portland, OR trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Salem, OR and Portland, OR from $11 (€9). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from Salem, OR to Portland, OR
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.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Salem, OR to Portland, OR
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- Parking is available on-site with a daily fee.
- Gamberetti's Italian Restaurant
- Word of Mouth Neighborhood Bistro
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps.
- $1
- The Grand Hotel in Salem
- Phoenix Inn Suites Salem
- Howard Johnson by Wyndham Salem
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, ticket office, and waiting area
- Hall 2: platforms for Amtrak services
- Bus: Cherriots local bus services
- Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach
- 5:30 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 24/7. Access is available via NW 6th Avenue.
- Wilf's Restaurant & Bar
- Al-Amir Lebanese Restaurant
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
- $1.50
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Downtown
- The Benson, a Coast Hotel
- Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center
- Located in the main hall
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- The station has a main entrance leading to platforms 1-3 for Amtrak services
- waiting areas and ticket counters are located in the main hall.
- MAX Light Rail: Green Line, Yellow Line
- Bus: Several lines available
- Streetcar: NS Line
Most popular train connections from Salem, OR
More options for your journey from Salem, OR to Portland, OR
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