- Must visit
Portland Art Museum
Leading art museum with Native American, Asian, European and modern collections, plus strong temporary exhibitions in the city centre.
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Salem, OR to Portland, OR is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Salem, OR to Portland, OR will cost around £16 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £12.
On Sun 01 Nov, we found 3 trains from Salem, OR to Portland, OR, including 3 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 70 km distance in an average of 1 h 28 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 24 m .
The slowest trains will take 1 h 36 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
504 Amtrak Cascades
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508 Amtrak Cascades [New Train]
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14 Coast Starlight
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508 Amtrak Cascades [New Train]
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504 Amtrak Cascades
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14 Coast Starlight
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Trains from Salem, OR to Portland, OR run on average 3 times per day, taking around 1h 28m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £9 but you can travel from only £8 by coach.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 06:35, the last at 20:39. The fastest train covers the 70 km distance in 1h 24m.
Distance 70 km |
Average train duration 1h 28m |
Cheapest ticket price £9 |
Trains per day 3 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 1h 24m |
First train 6:35 |
Last train 20:39 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 1 day |
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Salem, OR to Portland, OR.
The table below shows live departures for Salem, OR to Portland, OR trains for today, Saturday 31 October. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 21:04 Salem, OR | 1h36 | 22:40 Portland, OR | 0 changesdirect | |
| Sunday 1 November | |||||
504 Amtrak Cascades | 8:56 Salem Railroad Station, Salem, OR | 1h24 | 10:20 Portland Union Station, Portland, OR | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
Discover the best of Portland, OR — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Portland, OR trip today.
Leading art museum with Native American, Asian, European and modern collections, plus strong temporary exhibitions in the city centre.
Interactive science museum with hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, submarine tour and family-friendly learning on the east bank.
Museum dedicated to Oregon's rail history, featuring restored locomotives and carriages beside the Willamette River.
Large urban forest park with extensive walking trails, quiet woodland scenery and easy escapes from the city centre.
Lively riverside walking area with landscaped paths, cherry trees, bridges and broad views across the Willamette.
Compact Japanese garden with carefully designed landscapes, seasonal beauty and tranquil paths above the city.
A distinctive Portland-style pizza with a sourdough crust, seasonal toppings and a strong farm-to-table ethos found across the city.
A local doughnut style popularised in Portland: brioche or cake doughnuts with playful toppings and unconventional flavours.
Oregon hazelnuts appear in pralines, pastries and savoury dishes; they are a signature regional ingredient of Portland kitchens.
Refined restaurant highlighting Pacific Northwest ingredients with elegant small plates and a polished but relaxed room.
Casual landmark known for inventive pizzas, house-brewed beer and a lively neighbourhood atmosphere.
Well-known brewery and pub pouring respected local beer with hearty pub food in a spacious industrial setting.
Moderate for a US city. Hotels can be pricey in peak season, but dining and public transport are usually cheaper than in San Francisco or New York.
Tip 18-20% in restaurants, 10-15% for taxis, and $1-2 for café drinks if table service or extra help is given.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Salem, OR to Portland, OR by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Portland, OR, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Salem, OR to Portland, OR trains use the Salem Railroad Station to Portland Union Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Salem, OR and Portland, OR train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Salem Railroad Station is 1 km from Salem city centre. Public transport options include:
Salem Railroad Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Gamberetti's Italian Restaurant, Word of Mouth Neighborhood Bistro
Free.
Ticket office support is available at Salem Railroad Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Salem Railroad Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Salem Railroad Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Salem Railroad Station: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Salem Railroad Station: Ramps.
Nearby hotels include The Grand Hotel in Salem, Phoenix Inn Suites Salem, Howard Johnson by Wyndham Salem.
Portland Union Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Wilf's Restaurant & Bar, Al-Amir Lebanese Restaurant
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Portland Union Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Portland Union Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Portland Union Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Portland Union Station: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Portland Union Station: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Downtown, The Benson, a Coast Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center.
Check train stations information for Salem, OR and Portland, OR, including where trains depart and arrive on this route.
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