Transportation

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 a necessity in Portland, with plenty of budget-friendly ways to explore the city car-free (and avoid the hassle of finding and paying for parking). Read on to learn more about Portland transportation, then check out our events calendar to help you plan your next visit.

Getting to Portland

Home to a train station, international airport and bus hub, traveling to and from Portland is a breeze.

Portland International Airport (PDX)

The Portland airport (PDX) boasts an easy light rail connection to downtown, free Wi-Fi, local food and drink, tax-free shopping with no markups — and 426 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 and Greyhound

It’s easy to get to and from Portland by bus with the iconic Greyhound or German-based FlixBus.

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.

The bus system covers the city and its suburbs thoroughly. Each bus has full wheelchair accessibility, and most come equipped with bike racks. Frequent bus service on 17 bus lines keeps things moving. Busses on these lines come every 15 minutes or less most of the day, every day.

Public Transportation

TriMet offers light rail, bus and streetcar service throughout the metro area.

MAX Light Rail

Portland's efficient light rail system connects the metro area and downtown core. Learn how to ride and where to go on MAX.

Portland Streetcar

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

Bus Service

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

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.

The Portland Streetcar was built in 2011. The original line, now known as the NS line, travels through 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.

Ticketing & Fares

In order to streamline its ticketing system, TriMet eliminated paper tickets in 2019. The new ticketing system is called Hop Fastpass, and ride there are two ways to use it. The first is to pay with your phone using a credit or debit card in a mobile wallet like Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay. The second option is to purchase a reloadable Hop card from a local retailer, supermarket or convenience store. Fares for the bus, MAX light rail and streetcar are:

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

Biking in Portland

Exploring Portland on two wheels is east 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 1,000 bright-orange, eight-speed 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. However you choose to ride, be sure to read through these bike safety tips before you hit the road.

Other Ways to Get Around Town

Alternatively, visitors have the option to rent bicycles or electronic scooters (e-scooters) throughout the city. Ride-share services Lyft and Uber both operate in Portland. Those who have an interest of exploring points of interests beyond the city limits, however, might consider renting a car to get from place to place.

Portland by Car

Traveling on four wheels? Use these resources to help you get around by car.

Driving in Portland

While Portland prides itself on being a city that’s easy to get around without a car, these tips will help you tour the city in four-wheeled fashion.

Parking in Portland

These tips will help you find parking in Portland's central city.

Car- and Ride-Sharing

Car- and ride-sharing services in Portland make it easier than ever to get around the city without bringing your own vehicle.

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. Tilikum Crossing, the only bridge in the country dedicated to light rail, buses, bicycles and pedestrians — without automobile traffic, is a scenic way to explore. The bridge connects the South Waterfront to the Central Eastside.

Walking in Portland

Explore the city by foot on these gorgeous hikes and walks in and near the city.

Where to Walk

In addition to Portland’s many pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, your feet can take you to some fantastic places around town.

Fall Hikes Near Portland

These fall hikes near Portland prove that autumn is an ideal time to explore Oregon wilderness, admire seasonal flora and fauna, and visit nearby farms.

Portland’s Best Spots for Fall Color

Autumnal beauty abounds in Portland, and there are plenty of prime places to revel in leaf-crunching relaxation.

Winter Hikes in and Near Portland

Oregon’s great outdoors offers excellent adventures all year-round. Here are six Portland-area paths perfect for all-weather adventures.

Winter Walks in Portland

Trade muddy trails for winter walks along the smooth, paved walkways of Portland's parks, then treat yourself to a warm mug of coffee or tea.

Spring Hikes Near Portland

There’s something special about the first spring hike of the year. Enjoy wildflowers, bird watching and breathtaking scenery on these springtime rambles.

4T Trail

The 4T trail is a self-guided tour that lets you explore the city — and see some of the best views — without a car.

Forest Park

Escape the city without leaving Portland; with 70 miles of trails within Portland city limits, 5,156-acre Forest Park is a popular escape for runners, equestrians and hikers alike and supporting more than 112 bird and 62 mammal species.