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Efficient public transit, miles of bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly city streets make navigating Portland a breeze.
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.
BoltBus and Greyhound
It’s easy to get to and from Portland by bus with the iconic Greyhound and its subsidiary BoltBus.
Portland Public Transit
Know Before You Go
Editor’s note: TriMet stopped offering and accepting paper tickets in 2019. Visit TriMet’s website for more information, including:
– How to ride public transit
– Fares & how to pay
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.
More About Portland Transportation
How do you get around in Portland?
How much does it cost to ride public transportation in Portland?
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
These fares are subject to change. Visit the TriMet website for the most up-to-date pricing information.
Do I need a car in Portland?
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.
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