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 such as fares, tips on navigating the city and to check on possible disruptions of MAX service.
At the heart of Portland’s world-class public transportation system is MAX light rail, with 97 stations and 60 miles of track connecting the city, airport and region.
Take MAX from PDX
MAX Lines
MAX has five lines, all of which run through downtown:
- Blue Line (Hillsboro/City Center/Gresham)
- Green Line (Clackamas/City Center)
- Red Line (Airport/City Center/Beaverton)
- Yellow Line (Expo Center/City Center)
- 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.
Opened on Sept. 12, 2015, 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.
The MAX Orange Line uses Tilikum Crossing, the nation’s longest bridge dedicated solely to transit, bicycles and pedestrians.
How to Ride MAX
Know Before You Go
MAX ticket machines return change in coins, so small bills are recommended.
TriMet Fares
- Adult (ages 18–64): $2.50 to ride for 2.5 hours; $5 for a day pass
- Honored Citizen (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
- There are no fareboxes onboard MAX. You must buy or have a validated ticket, bus transfer receipt or pass before boarding MAX (unless you’re using a Hop Fastpass, which can be tapped after boarding). Ticket machines and validators are located at MAX stations. Before boarding, buy your ticket from a ticket machine, validate your previously purchased ticket in the validator located near the ticket machine, or tap your Hop Fastpass on a designated card reader. A validated ticket is your proof of payment, good for 2.5 hours on MAX, buses and the Portland Streetcar. (Full-day tickets are also available.) Keep your ticket until you have completed your trip. You can also pay with cash or purchase adult fares using your mobile phone’s wallet function (available for Apple, Samsung and Google phones).
- To use Hop Fastpass, TriMet’s electronic fare payment system, purchase a Hop card for $3 at TriMet’s ticket office or at a local retailer or grocery store. Hop cards can be reloaded using the platform’s mobile app or at local stores. To use your Hop Fastpass, tap the card on a designated card reader every time you board the MAX light rail, streetcar or bus.
- Signs at every MAX station indicate where to wait and when the next train is due. Signs on the front of each train identify its line (Blue, Green, Red or Yellow) and destination.
- MAX stops at every station, so you don’t need to signal the operator to get on or off. The station name is announced before every stop and appears on a reader board overhead.
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 State University (PSU) – Green, Orange and Yellow lines
- Lloyd Center (shopping center) – Blue, Green and Red lines
- Clackamas Town Center (shopping center) – Green Line
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