Search Portland Transportation
Efficient public transit, miles of bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly city streets make navigating Portland a breeze.
On a visit to Portland, do as locals do and take advantage of the city’s miles upon miles of protected bike lanes, efficient public transportation system and many (and we mean many) walkable bridges to get around. Renting a car is never necessary for Portland, with plenty of budget-friendly ways to explore the city car-free (and avoid the hassle of finding and paying for parking).
Public Transit FAQ
Does Portland have good public transportation?
How much does it cost to ride public transportation in Portland?
Adult (ages 18–64): $2.80 to ride for 2.5 hours; $5.60 for a day pass
Honored Citizen (ages 65 years and older; low income, Medicare or disability): $1.40 to ride for 2.5 hours; $2.80 for a day pass
Youth (ages 7–17): $1.40 to ride for 2.5 hours; $2.80 for a day pass
For the Portland Streetcar:
Adult (ages 18–64): $2.50 to ride for 2.5 hours; $5 for a day pass
Honored Citizen (ages 65 years and older; low income, Medicare or disability): $1.25 to ride for 2.5 hours; $2.50 for a day pass
Youth (ages 7–17): $1.25 to ride for 2.5 hours; $2.50 for a day pass
These fares are subject to change. Visit the TriMet website for the most up-to-date pricing information.
Are there accessible transport options in Portland?
Portland Public Transit
TriMet manages the city’s public transportation system, which includes bus service, the MAX light rail and a streetcar. Public transit offers one of the best ways to get around Portland on a budget, as tickets for one mode of transportation apply to them all.
Know Before You Go
Editor’s note: TriMet does accept cash fares, though encourages riders to use contactless bus fares through Hop Fastpass mobile app. Learn more:
– How to ride public transit
– Fares & how to pay
Ticketing & Fares
TriMet encourages riders to use contactless bus fares through Hop Fastpass; here are the three ways to use the mobile app. After downloading the app to your mobile device, you can first pay with your phone using a credit or debit card in a mobile wallet like Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay. A second option is to purchase a reloadable Hop card from a local retailer, supermarket or convenience store which can be added to the app to track rides and remaining fares. The last option is to purchase a virtual card, which is used similarly to the Hop card. Fares for the bus, MAX light rail and streetcar are:
Adult (ages 18–64): $2.80 to ride for 2.5 hours; $5.60 for a day pass
Honored Citizen (ages 65 years and older; low income, Medicare or disability): $1.40 to ride for 2.5 hours; $2.80 for a day pass
Youth (ages 7–17): $1.40 to ride for 2.5 hours; $2.80 for a day pass
Bus Service
The TriMet bus system, which covers the city and its suburbs thoroughly, offers low fares, friendly drivers and full wheelchair accessibility. Most buses are equipped with bike racks, making mass transit more user-friendly for cyclists. Frequent bus service on more than a dozen bus lines keeps things moving; these lines come every 15 to 20 minutes most of the day, every day.
Know Before You Go
Check with TriMet for route information and alerts affecting bus service.
Popular Bus Routes
- FX2 – Division
- 4 – Fessenden
- 9 – Powell Blvd.
- 14 – Hawthorne
- 15 – Belmont/NW 23rd
- 19 – Woodstock/Glisan
- 20 – Burnside/Stark
- Central Eastside, Burnside Street
- 63 – Washington Park
MAX Light Rail
The MAX Light Rail is the heart and soul of the city’s public transportation system. It includes more than 90 stations, and its track stretches for 60 miles, connecting the city, airport and greater Portland region. All five lines (Blue, Red, Green, Yellow and Orange) run through downtown. The MAX is also a frequent service line, meaning it runs every 15 minutes or less.
Credit: Justin Katigbak
Portland Street Car
The Portland Streetcar was built in 2001. The original line, now known as the NS line, travels Downtown from Portland State University to the Nob Hill neighborhood. The line goes directly through the Pearl District, a popular shopping and dining area.
The A Loop and the B Loop provide service over Tilikum Crossing, the only bridge in the country dedicated exclusively to pedestrian, bicycle and public transportation traffic. The A Loop runs clockwise and connects the east and west sides of the city through the Pearl District, Broadway Bridge, Lloyd, OMSI, Tilikum Crossing and Portland State University. The B Loop passes through the same stops but moves counter-clockwise.
Regional Travel
Regional buses like Gorge Pass offer many routes to see popular sites, hike the waterfalls and experience the Fruit Loop in the scenic Columbia River Gorge; the Mt. Hood Express that runs from Sandy all the way to Timberline on Mount Hood; or the Columbia County Rider connecting you to outdoor adventures just outside of Portland.
Getting Around Portland
Rent a bike, or scooter, or figure out where to park your rental car.
Biking
One of the best ways to explore the Rose City is on two wheels.
Electric Scooters (E-Scooters) in Portland
E-scooter sharing lets users rent vehicles via an app for one-way trips. Before boarding, check out our dos and don’ts for riding e-scooters in Portland.
Parking in Portland
From city-run parking garages to private lots to an app for on-street parking, Portland offers reliable options for parking during your visit.
Biking in Portland
Exploring Portland on two wheels is easy in this purposefully bike-friendly city. The City of Roses boasts miles of protected bike lanes, plenty of places to rent bikes and a treasure trove of bike maps to help you get from point A to B.
Portland’s bike-share program, Biketown, offers access to over 2,000 bright-orange, electric bicycles. Once you have a bike, you may want to enjoy a free guided bike tour. Portland By Cycle from the Portland Bureau of Transportation offers them on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in July and August, while Friends on Bikes hosts regular group rides that cater specifically to women, trans and gender non-conforming people of color.
Scooters in Portland
Riding an electric scooter is usually as simple as downloading the service’s app and using it to unlock a scooter. You can find e-scooters throughout the streets of Portland using the Lime and Biketown apps.
Portland Aerial Tram
Rising 500 feet (150 m) above the South Waterfront neighborhood, the Portland Aerial Tram offers breathtaking city and river views. On particularly clear days, riders can spot the iconic Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams. This mode of transport primarily serves local commuters, but it’s also a great stop on Portland’s 4T Trail.
Credit: NASHCO Photo
Other Ways to Get Around Town
Portland On Foot
Last but not least, one of the most enjoyable means of getting around the City of Roses is on foot. With many walkable neighborhoods like the Alberta Arts District and Hawthorne, as well as a bustling downtown, those traveling on foot have plenty of places to see and explore. One of 12 total bridges within city limits, Tilikum Crossing is the only bridge in the country dedicated to light rail, buses, bicycles and pedestrians — without automobile traffic, it’s a scenic way to explore that connects you to the South Waterfront and the Central Eastside.
Taxis and Ride-Sharing
Lyft, Uber and local taxis in Portland provide cash-free rides scheduled via mobile app, web booking or phone call. All companies serve Portland International Airport and safely connect with passengers inside Level 1 of the Short-Term Parking garage instead of the main roadway. Once travelers deplane, they’ll be guided to their pickup location via the rideshare apps and airport signage to the “Transportation Plaza.”
- Lyft serves the greater Portland metro area with basic service for up to four passengers and Lyft Plus, with room for up to six people.
- Uber serves Portland, Gresham, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard and Vancouver, Washington. Services include basic UberX and XL (for up to six passengers), Uber Access (wheel-chair-accessible vehicles) and Uber Pedal (vehicles with bike racks).
- Local taxis, like Radio Cab or PDX Yellow Cab offer airport pickup, 24/7 availability and rides around the greater Portland area and beyond. ADA transportation is available upon request.
Car-Sharing
Those who wish to explore points of interest beyond the city limits, however, might consider renting a car to get from place to place. Worried about parking? There’s plenty of room to park for your temporary wheels.
- Zipcar: Members from around the country can access a fleet of hundreds of new vehicles in designated parking spots throughout the Portland metro area — there are more than 80 cars in the central city alone.
- Turo: This peer-to-peer car-sharing service that allows owners to rent out their personal vehicles when they’re not using them to other members who want to rent them for a set time.
Getting to Portland
Home to a train station, international airport and bus hub, Portland makes getting here easy.
Portland International Airport (PDX)
Portland International Airport (PDX) boasts an easy light rail connection to downtown, local food and drink, free Wi-Fi, tax-free shopping with no markups — and 500 flights daily.
Amtrak / Union Station
Union Station, with its elegant architecture and iconic “Go By Train” neon sign connects passengers with the city by bus, car and of course by train.
FlixBus, Greyhound & Other Buses
Travel to and from Portland with ease on FlixBus and Greyhound buses, which connect Portland with destinations near and far. Founded in 1914, Greyhound is the United States’ largest intercity bus network, connecting Portland with over 1,600 service locations in North America. You can score cheap bus tickets online, on the Greyhound app, at a Greyhound agency or via a phone call to customer service. The Portland Greyhound bus stop is located on Northwest Station Way and Northwest Marshall Street, north of Union Station and near the MAX Light Rail line.
Offering fares under $20, FlixBus has been a big hit since its arrival in Portland in 2019. In addition to savings, passengers enjoy free Wi-Fi, electrical outlets and extra legroom. FlixBus serves the Pacific Northwest with frequent service between Portland and numerous destinations across Oregon, Washington, Idaho and elsewhere. The FlixBus stop in Portland is located in the central city, just north of Union Station on Northwest Station Way.
Several other bus services provide convenient, affordable and frequent service to some of the most beautiful destinations in the region, including Astoria and Eugene (via the POINT), St. Helens and the Oregon Coast (via the NC Connector), Bend (via the Central Oregon Breeze) and others. Guided tours are another great way to explore the region, from outdoor adventure tours to guided wine tours and more.
More Ways to Navigate Portland
From bridge-hopping to self-guided urban discoveries, find your favorite way to explore.
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