- Must visit
Seattle Art Museum
Major downtown art museum with global collections, rotating exhibitions, and strong Native art holdings.
Cheapest price
$45
Average price
$80
Fastest journey
5 h 9 m
Average duration
5 h 15 m
Trains per day
8
Distance
301 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Salem, OR to Seattle, WA 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 Seattle, WA will cost around $80 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $45.
Of the 8 trains that leave Salem, OR for Seattle, WA 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 301 km distance in an average of 5 h 15 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 9 m .
On Tue, May 26 the slowest trains will take 5 h 25 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.
5528 AMTRAK · 506 Amtrak Cascades
5544 AMTRAK · 506 Amtrak Cascades
508 Amtrak Cascades
5518 AMTRAK · 518 Amtrak Cascades
5502 AMTRAK · 502 Amtrak Cascades
504 Amtrak Cascades
508 Amtrak Cascades
5518 AMTRAK · 518 Amtrak Cascades
5502 AMTRAK · 502 Amtrak Cascades
5544 AMTRAK · 506 Amtrak CascadesOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Salem, OR to Seattle, WA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $33. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 4h 50m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $33, and a flight costs an average of $86.
Distance: 187 miles (301 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$63 Average price | $49 Average price Cheapest | $587 Average price | $45 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 47m Average total duration 5h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 20m Average total duration Fastest 4h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 13h 21m Average total duration 10h 21m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 27m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Salem, OR to Seattle, WA:
A bus is $14 (€11) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Salem, OR to Seattle, WA costing on average $63 (€51).
A bus is $538 (€434) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Salem, OR to Seattle, WA costing on average $587 (€473).
Other travel options to Seattle, WA take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 17m.
Flight takes on average 10h 21m.
Tickets start at around $63 (€51) compared to roughly $45 (€36) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-18.20 (€-14.68). The journey takes 5h 17m versus 4h 27m 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 Seattle, WA 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:04 PM Salem, OR | 5h47 | 2:51 AM Seattle, WA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:35 PM Salem, OR | 7h00 | 4:35 AM Seattle, WA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 10:35 PM Salem, OR | 7h00 | 5:35 AM Seattle, WA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, May 26 | |||||
5502 AMTRAK · 504 Amtrak Cascades | 6:35 AM Salem Railroad Station, Salem, OR | 7h30 | 2:05 PM King Street Station, Seattle, WA | 1 transfer | |
5502 AMTRAK · 502 Amtrak Cascades | 6:35 AM Salem Railroad Station, Salem, OR | 5h20 | 11:55 AM King Street Station, Seattle, WA | 1 transfer | |
504 Amtrak Cascades | 8:56 AM Salem Railroad Station, Salem, OR | 5h09 | 2:05 PM King Street Station, Seattle, WA | 0 transfersDirect | |
5518 AMTRAK · 518 Amtrak Cascades | 12:25 PM Salem Railroad Station, Salem, OR | 5h12 | 5:37 PM King Street Station, Seattle, WA | 1 transfer | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight 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 Seattle, WA run on average 7 times per day, taking around 5h 17m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $44 (€35) but you can travel from only $33 (€27) by bus.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 06:35, the last at 17:41. The fastest train covers the 187 miles (301 km) distance in 5h 9m.
Distance 187 miles (301 km) |
Average train duration 5h 17m |
Cheapest ticket price $44 (€35) |
Trains per day 7 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 5h 9m |
First train 6:35 AM |
Last train 5:41 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 5 days |
Discover the best of Seattle — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Seattle trip today.
Major downtown art museum with global collections, rotating exhibitions, and strong Native art holdings.
Bold contemporary museum focused on music, science fiction, gaming, and pop culture in an iconic building.
Immersive glass art museum showcasing Dale Chihuly's large-scale installations, galleries, and outdoor garden works.
Reworked waterfront promenade with piers, Elliott Bay views, and easy access to major downtown attractions.
Compact Queen Anne viewpoint famous for the classic skyline photo with the Space Needle and Mount Rainier.
Striking park built around preserved industrial structures, loved for skyline views and sunset photos.
Pacific salmon roasted on a cedar plank, a regional Northwest preparation that adds smoky wood aroma and highlights local seafood traditions.
A prized giant Pacific Northwest clam, often served raw, sautéed, or in chowder; it is a distinctive Puget Sound seafood specialty.
A late-night local favorite topped with cream cheese and often grilled onions or jalapeños, strongly associated with Seattle street food culture.
Beloved casual spot near Pike Place Market, best known for rich chowders and other seafood soups in a lively market setting.
Seattle fine-dining institution offering refined Pacific Northwest cuisine, polished service, and sweeping views over Lake Union.
Well-known oyster bar specializing in fresh local shellfish, raw bar plates, and a focused Pacific Northwest seafood experience.
Seattle is expensive by U.S. standards, especially for hotels, dining, and coffee, though casual eats and transit can help control daily costs.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for great service. Bartenders: USD 1-2 per drink. Taxis/rideshares: 10-15%. Hotel staff: USD 2-5. Cafes: tip jar or round up.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Salem, OR to Seattle, WA 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 Seattle, WA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need