A light rail train passes in front of a modern, glass-encased retail store A light rail train passes in front of a modern, glass-encased retail store
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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.

2 min read

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 more than 90 stations and 60 miles of track connecting the city, airport and region.

Take MAX from PDX

The MAX Light Rail Red Line is the easiest way to travel to and from the airport, taking under 40 minutes.

Read more

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:

Map showing the MAX light rail system in Portland, Oregon.
Simplified MAX light rail system map

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

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?

The MAX has five lines, all of which run through downtown Portland (also known as city center).

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?

While the MAX runs every 15 minutes or less every day, most of the day, it does not run 24 hours. Most lines begin service at 4 am and end service around midnight. TriMet has information about the full schedules for each of the five lines (blue, green, red, yellow, and orange) on its website.

How much does it cost to ride the MAX?

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.

The most recent fare information is available on the TriMet website.

How do you ride the MAX?

Riders must have a valid ticket before boarding the MAX. There are ticketing machines and validators at the light rail stations, but riders can also use their phone to pay the fare using the Hop Fastpass system.

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 Stay Near MAX

For lodging that's easily accessible by MAX, explore hotel offerings in Portland's downtown, Northwest/Nob Hill and Lloyd neighborhoods.

Rest Your Head

Where to Go on MAX

Beyond downtown and Old Town Chinatown, you can ride MAX to all of these attractions.

The International Rose Garden in Washington Park contains thousands of different types of roses and offers great city views.

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.

a red panda walks on a tree limb, surrounded by leaves

Oregon Zoo

Located near downtown Portland in Washington Park, the Oregon Zoo is home to more than 2,600 animals.

person walking through a museum exhibition of different trees

World Forestry Center Discovery Museum

Tree- and forest-lovers of all ages can learn about the importance of sustainability and experience a Portland icon at the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum, with exhibits on local and global forests.

people sitting and strolling outside Cascade Station

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.

Aerial view of the docked submarine on the Willamette River at OMSI

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.

Two Portland Timbers soccer players celebrate on the field after a goal

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:

Transportation

Getting Around

Along with MAX, these transportation options make it easy to navigate Portland.

People entering and exiting a TriMet bus downtown

Bus Service

The TriMet bus system, which covers the city and its suburbs, offers low fares, friendly drivers and full wheelchair accessibility.

A streetcar passes by a large, red sculpture in front of a building with a neon sign reading, \"Go By Streetcar.\"

Portland Streetcar

The City of Roses built the nation’s first modern-day streetcar in 2001: the sleek and modern Portland Streetcar.

man sits facing Fremont Bridge next to pink roses in front of a big grassy field

Biking

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