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MAX Light Rail connects downtown Portland to points throughout the city and region, including PDX International Airport.

MAX Light Rail

Portland's efficient light-rail system connects the metro area and downtown core.

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3 min read

At the heart of Portland’s world-class public transportation system is MAX light rail, with more than 90 stations and 60 miles of track connecting the city, airport and region.

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. Most lines begin service around 4 a.m. and finish before midnight.

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.

How to Ride MAX

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

1. 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).
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

Washington Park

The MAX Red and Blue lines serve this park, home to the Oregon Zoo, Portland Children’s Museum, World Forestry Center and Hoyt Arboretum.

Oregon Zoo

The West's oldest zoo, located just minutes from downtown Portland in visitor-friendly Washington Park, is home to 2,200 animals.

Portland Children’s Museum

Dreaming of a family-friendly afternoon full of hands-on learning? Head to the Portland Children’s Museum, in attraction-packed Washington Park.

World Forestry Center Discovery Museum

Tree- and forest-lovers of all ages can learn about sustainability and experience a Portland icon at the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum.

Cascade Station Shopping Center

Minutes from PDX on the MAX Red line, Cascade Station houses Oregon’s only IKEA and other big-brand stores, as well as two hotels.

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)

The MAX Orange Line serves this kid-pleasing spot, which has a planetarium, giant-screen theater, retired navy submarine, traveling exhibits and more.

Providence Park

The MAX Blue and Red lines serve the home field for the beloved Portland Timbers and Thorns soccer clubs.

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

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

In 2001, Portland built the nation’s first modern-day streetcar: the sleek and modern Portland Streetcar.

Biking

One of the best ways to explore the Rose City is on two wheels.