kids running among travelers at airport kids running among travelers at airport
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Travelers pass through the bright main terminal at Portland International Airport.
Credit: Courtesy of Port of Portland and Ema Peter Photography

Portland International Airport (PDX)

Travelers love PDX for its welcoming feel, convenience and amenities including local shopping, food and drink.

3 min read Northeast Portland

Travelers named Portland International Airport (PDX) the best airport in the United States in Travel + Leisure’s survey in 2021, as well as every year from 2013–2019. Why do they love PDX? An easy light rail connection to downtown, free Wi-Fi, great local food and drink (including microbrews, craft spirits and even food carts), and tax-free shopping without markups are just a few of the reasons. That’s not to mention the superior guest experience travelers report having whenever they pass through the Portland airport.

Know Before You Go

While a majority of the airport’s major renovation was completed in 2024, the remainder is currently underway with an expected completion date in early 2026. See the website for more information and note that you may encounter modified routes and construction in progress.

In August 2024, PDX unveiled a massive renovation that “set a new high bar for airport design,” according to Fast Company magazine. Featuring streams of natural light, more than 70 live trees, the return of the iconic PDX carpet, a stunning Northwest-sourced timber lattice ceiling, and multiple 120-foot-long video walls, the project is a stunning sight to behold.

Learn More About PDX

What is the easiest way to get to and from PDX?

There are several ways to get to and from Portland’s airport. The most popular is the MAX Light Rail, which has a station on the airport’s lower level. The Red Line takes riders from the airport to downtown in approximately 38 minutes. Other options include taxicabs, ride-share services and shuttles.

If you’re trying to get to the PDX airport from outside of Portland, you can connect to Portland’s Trimet system through other transit agencies or hire an Oregon shuttle service.

How do I get from Union Station to PDX?

One of the easiest ways to travel to and from Union Station is the MAX Light Rail. If going from the airport, take the Red Line to any stop between the Gateway/NE 99th Transit Center and the Rose Quarter Transit Center, where you can get off and transfer to the Green Line — the Green Line will take you the rest of the way. To get from Union Station to PDX, take this same trip in reverse, going from the Green Line to the Red Line.

Why is PDX one of the most popular airports?

Although other airports have taken the number one spot in Travel + Leisure’s survey just recently, PDX won top honors in 2021 and was the reigning World’s Best Domestic Airports champion from 2013–2019. (Even when it doesn’t win, it’s almost always in the top five.) Some of the things that regularly earn PDX this recognition include friendly guest interactions, free Wi-Fi, great local food and drink, and tax-free shopping without markups.

Why is Portland referred to as PDX?

The city of Portland is nicknamed “PDX” after the International Air Transport Association airport code for the Portland International Airport, which is PDX.  
trees and wood ceiling with people in background
A large wood framed skylight and living trees appropriately welcome travelers to the Pacific Northwest at Portland International Airport.

Credit: Courtesy of Port of Portland and Ema Peter Photography

Portland International Airport (PDX) is currently served by more than 15 international and domestic airlines offering about 500 scheduled passenger arrivals and departures daily. More than 60 U.S. cities offer nonstop flights to Portland.

Air Service

Portland International Airport (PDX) is currently served by more than 15 international and domestic airlines offering about 500 scheduled passenger arrivals and departures daily. More than 60 U.S. cities offer nonstop flights to Portland, including Atlanta, Orlando, New York, Boston and Chicago. Internationally, you can fly direct to PDX from Amsterdam, Calgary, Frankfurt, Guadalajara, London, Puerto Vallarta, Toronto and Vancouver, British Columbia. PDX offers more than 60 nonstop flights to cities near and far, including international destinations.

Getting To and From the Airport

The Portland airport is located 9 miles (14.5 km) northeast of downtown and is conveniently connected to the city center via MAX Light Rail.

Light Rail

The MAX Light Rail Red Line is the easiest way to travel to and from the airport. Here are some quick facts:

  • The trip between Portland International Airport and downtown takes about 45 minutes.
  • As of 2025, an adult ticket costs $2.80 (the youth and “Honored Citizen” fares are $1.40). Get the latest ticket and pricing information on the TriMet website.
  • You can roll your luggage on board.
  • The first train of the day arrives at PDX at 4:50 a.m. The last train departs PDX at 12:30 a.m.
  • The MAX station and ticket machines are located on the lower level, next to the south baggage claim area (turn right at the base of the escalator). View the airport’s map for more detail.
  • Trains arrive/depart every 15–30 minutes, depending on the time of day. For complete schedules and more information, visit the Red Line page on the TriMet website.
travelers walking among trees in airport
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A breathtakingly massive latticed skylight welcomes travelers in the Main Terminal at Portland International Airport.
Credit: Courtesy of Port of Portland and Ema Peter Photography
Three trees in planters scattered among benches with people sitting at the new PDX
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A seating area features the famous PDX carpet with a view of a massive 120-foot-long video screen.
Credit: Courtesy of Port of Portland and Dror Baldinger
Travelers mingle among trees in airport
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Travelers flow like water through the woods at Portland International Airport.
Credit: Courtesy of Port of Portland and Ema Peter Photography
a metal and glass canopy over an airport entrance with flowers blooming in the foreground
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A canopy protects the roadway at Portland International Airport (PDX) from the elements.
Credit: Port of Portland
a plane takes off through clear blue skies with a snowy mountain in the distance and a control tower in the foreground
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On a clear day, planes taking off from Portland International Airport (PDX) can enjoy stunning views of Mount Hood.
Credit: Nick Mendez, nickmendez.com
travelers walk past a small movie theater located within an airport
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This outpost of Portland’s historic nonprofit movie theater, the Hollywood Theatre, is a free-to-all, 22-seat microcinema located in Concourse C at Portland International Airport.
early sunrise over an airport concourse and empty streets to arrivals and departures
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Travelers love Portland International Airport (PDX) for its local food and drink, tax-free shopping, complimentary Wi-Fi and more.
Credit: Port of Portland
metal and glass canopy over airport entrance lit up at night
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A canopy protects the roadway at the PDX airport from the elements.

Taxicabs & Ride-Share Services

On average, the one-way trip from PDX to downtown Portland takes 20–40 minutes by car. The taxi fare is about $50 before gratuity (note that this can vary widely depending on traffic and time of day). Uber and Lyft both offer drop-off and pick-up services at Portland International Airport as well, with in-app fare estimators available before booking.

Taxis, Ubers and Lyfts are waiting inside Level 1 of the Short-Term Parking garage. To return to the airport from the city center, you can order a cab through the city’s main operators or from a hotel with a dedicated taxi stand.

Shuttles

When you leave the airport, you will find the shuttles at the bottom entrance of the terminal (outside the baggage claim area) on the other side of the second strip (“Island 2”) near the parking garage. Many airport hotels offer free services.

Private Car Services

For a VIP travel experience, several highly rated private car options are available, including Marquee Chauffer, Portland Luxury Town Car, and Delta Town Car.

Tax-free

Shopping at PDX

PDX offers travelers tax-free shopping from some of Portland’s most beloved brands.

  • Columbia Sportswear

    The Columbia Sportswear PDX store gives travelers to Columbia’s hometown access to a broad array of Columbia gear, as well as the opportunity to experience our state of the art in-store technology.

  • Pendleton

    Pendleton has two locations within the Portland International Airport: the main store right before security by D/E concourse and the kiosk centralized within concourse C. Home goods, apparel for men and women and Made in the USA wool blankets.

  • Made in Oregon

    Retail gift store selling all products made, caught or grown in Oregon. Pendleton, salmon, hazelnuts, ceramics and more can be found at Made In Oregon’s convenient “Oregon Market” in Portland International Airport.

  • Timberline

    The Timberline gift shop at PDX features a mix of locally designed and printed apparel and jewelry, iron work, ceramics and glassware made by local craftspeople along with local snacks, wine and candies.

  • Westward Whiskey

    Elevate your time at Portland International Airport (PDX) with a stop at Westward Whiskey — this outpost of the celebrated Portland distillery offers tastings of their small-batch, single-malt whiskeys.

Plan, Transportation

Mentioned Elsewhere Online

FlyPDX

Portland International Airport

TriMet

Take the train to the plane

Travel Resources

Review these helpful articles to simplify your time in Portland.

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Transportation

Portland transportation options include efficient public transit, miles of bike lanes, ride-share services and pedestrian-friendly city streets. Getting around the City of Roses is easier than you think.

a plane takes off through clear blue skies with a snowy mountain in the distance and a control tower in the foreground

Airport Hotels

Stay near PDX and you’ll be close to lots of other things, too.

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Resources for International Visitors

From currency exchange to where to do laundry, these helpful resources help international visitors explore Portland in comfort.