

MAX Light Rail
Portland's efficient light-rail system connects the metro area and downtown core.
Know Before You Go
Visit TriMet’s website for more information on fares, navigating the city and possible disruptions of MAX service.
At the heart of Portland’s world-class public transportation system is the Metropolitan Area Express (MAX) light rail, with almost 100 stations and 60 miles of track connecting the city, airport and region. Find a stop nearest you with just an address or zip code on Trimet’s website.
MAX Lines
MAX has five lines, all of which run through downtown Portland. TriMet offers a downloadable MAX system map with a full list of stops on its website, but as a general rule, each of the five lines spread from the city center to cover a different section of the city:
- Blue Line (Hillsboro/City Center/Gresham)
- Green Line (Clackamas/City Center/PSU)
- Red Line (Airport/City Center/Beaverton)
- Yellow Line (Expo Center/City Center/PSU)
- Orange Line (Milwaukie/City Center)

MAX trains run about every 15 minutes most of the day, every day. Service is less frequent in the early morning, midday, and evening. Most lines begin service around 4 a.m. and finish before midnight.
The MAX Orange Line connects downtown Portland to the Central Eastside, Sellwood, and Milwaukie, a suburb to the southeast. The Orange Line uses Tilikum Crossing, Portland’s first new span since 1973 and the nation’s longest bridge dedicated solely to transit, bicycles and pedestrians.
How to Ride MAX
Know Before You Go
Editor’s note: TriMet stopped offering and accepting paper tickets in 2019. Visit TriMet’s website for more service information, including:
– How to ride MAX
– Fares and how to pay
TriMet Fares
- 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
More About MAX Light Rail
How many MAX lines are there?
Blue Line covers Hillsboro/City Center/Gresham; Green Line covers Clackamas/City Center; Red Line covers Airport/City Center/Beaverton; Yellow Line covers Expo Center/City Center; Orange Line covers Milwaukie/City Center. For a more detailed list of stops, visit the Max light rail section of the TriMet website.
Does the MAX run all night?
How much does it cost to ride the MAX?
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.
The most recent fare information is available on the TriMet website.
How do you ride the MAX?
Signs at each station indicate when the MAX is coming and which lines are due. The line is illuminated on the front of each train, so you’ll never get confused about which train to board. The MAX stops at every station, so there’s no need to signal or inform the operator of your stop. For more information on riding the MAX, visit the TriMet website.
When TriMet stopped accepting paper tickets in 2019, it transitioned to a new ticketing system, Hop Fastpass. There are now two options to pay for your fare: with your phone using a credit or debit card in your mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay) or with a reloadable Hop card that can be purchased at supermarkets, pharmacies, convenience stores, and other local retailers.
Where to Go on MAX
Beyond downtown and Old Town Chinatown, you can ride MAX to all of these attractions.
More Places to Go on MAX
Here are even more local destinations you can easily access via MAX Light Rail:
- Moda Center (NBA arena and concert venue) – Blue, Green, Red and Yellow lines
- Union Station (Amtrak) – Green, Orange and Yellow lines
- Oregon Convention Center – Blue, Green and Red lines
- Portland Expo Center – Yellow Line
- Portland International Airport (PDX) – Red Line
- Portland State University (PSU) – Green, Orange and Yellow lines
- Lloyd Center (shopping center) – Blue, Green and Red lines
- Clackamas Town Center (shopping center) – Green Line
Getting Around
Along with MAX, these transportation options make it easy to navigate Portland.
Bus Service
The TriMet bus system, which covers the city and its suburbs, offers low fares, friendly drivers and full wheelchair accessibility.
Portland Streetcar
The City of Roses built the nation’s first modern-day streetcar in 2001: the sleek and modern Portland Streetcar.
Biking
One of the best ways to explore the Rose City is on two wheels.
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