You just landed at PDX. The carpet is new—gone is the geometric 80s teal, replaced by a wooden lattice ceiling that smells faintly of Pacific Northwest ambition—and now you need to get to the trains. Specifically, you're headed from portland airport to portland union station to catch an Amtrak Cascades or maybe the Coast Starlight. It sounds simple. On a map, it’s a straight shot west. But if you've ever tried to navigate Portland traffic at 4:30 PM on a rainy Tuesday, you know that "simple" is a relative term.
Most people just hop in an Uber. It’s the default setting for the modern brain. But honestly? That’s often the slowest and most expensive way to do it. Between the airport pickup surcharges and the inevitable bottleneck where I-84 meets I-5, you could be sitting in a Prius for forty-five minutes watching the meter climb while your train leaves the station.
The MAX Red Line: Your Best Friend (Usually)
The TriMet MAX light rail is the backbone of the city's transit. It’s right there at the airport. You walk out of baggage claim, follow the signs that look like a little train, and you’re at the station. No shuttles. No wandering through parking garages.
Here is the deal: The Red Line runs directly from PDX. You don't have to change trains to get close to Union Station, but you do have a choice to make once you hit the city center. Technically, the Red Line drops you at Old Town/Chinatown or Skidmore Fountain. From there, it’s a walk. Not a long walk—maybe six or seven blocks—but if you’re hauling a hardshell suitcase and a backpack through Portland’s "gritty" core, you might want to reconsider your life choices.
Wait. There is a better way to use the MAX.
If you don't want to walk through Old Town, you can switch at Rose Quarter Transit Center. You hop off the Red Line and wait for a Green or Yellow line train heading across the Steel Bridge. These trains stop at Union Station/NW 6th & Hoyt. It adds maybe five minutes to your trip but saves your shoulders from the weight of your luggage. Plus, the Steel Bridge is a double-deck vertical-lift bridge. It’s one of the few in the world. Looking out at the Willamette River while the bridge hums under the weight of the train is a quintessential Portland experience.
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Rideshare vs. Reality
Let's talk about the car option. If you take a Lyft or Uber from portland airport to portland union station, you are at the mercy of the "Terwilliger Curves" logic, even though you aren't going that far south. The route usually takes you down NE 82nd or onto I-205 to I-84.
Traffic in Portland has become unpredictable.
On a Sunday morning at 7:00 AM? You’ll zip there in 20 minutes. Total breeze. But during the weekday rush? Forget it. The construction on the I-5 North/I-84 interchange is a perpetual headache. Expect to pay anywhere from $35 to $60 depending on surge pricing. Compare that to $2.80 for a 2.5-hour MAX pass. You’re paying for the "luxury" of sitting in traffic instead of moving at a steady clip on the rails.
There is one specific scenario where a car wins: the late-night arrival. If your flight lands at midnight and you need to get to the station area, the MAX frequency drops off. Nobody wants to wait 30 minutes on a platform in the cold. Just call the car.
The "Secret" Bus Route
Most locals don't even talk about this, but there’s a bus. The 272 is the "PDX Night Bus." If you are arriving in those weird hours between 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM when the light rail is sleeping, this is your lifeline. It connects the airport to the transit mall downtown. It’s not glamorous. It’s mostly airport workers and night owls. But it works.
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What about the Portland Streetcar?
I see tourists get confused by this all the time. The Streetcar is great for getting from the Pearl District to the South Waterfront, but it doesn't go to the airport. Do not look for a Streetcar at PDX. You will be looking forever.
Navigating Union Station Once You Arrive
Portland Union Station is old. Like, 1896 old. The "Go by Train" neon sign is iconic, and the interior is full of marble and high ceilings that make you feel like you're in a movie. However, the area immediately surrounding the station is a bit... lively.
If you took the MAX and got off at NW 6th & Hoyt, you are literally right there. Walk toward the clock tower. You can’t miss it. If you have time to kill, don't eat at the station. Walk two blocks into the Pearl District. Go to Fullerton Wines or Nuvrei for a pastry. The station food is fine for a quick snack, but you’re in one of the best food cities in America. Don't waste your appetite on a pre-packaged ham sandwich.
Real Talk on Safety
Portland gets a lot of press. Some of it is exaggerated; some of it is earned. Moving from portland airport to portland union station on public transit is generally safe, but you need to be "city smart." Keep your bags close. If you’re on the MAX, try to sit in the lead car near the operator. The Old Town area near the station has a significant unhoused population and social services centers. Most people will leave you alone, but it can be jarring if you aren't used to an urban environment.
Timing the Connection
If you are trying to catch an Amtrak train, give yourself more time than you think. Amtrak recommends arriving 45 minutes early. If you're taking the MAX from PDX, leave the airport at least 90 minutes before your train departs.
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Why so much time?
- The PDX Walk: The airport is big. Walking from the gate to the MAX station takes 10-15 minutes.
- The Frequency: Trains run every 15-20 minutes. If you just missed one, you’re waiting.
- The Transit Time: The ride itself is about 40 minutes.
- The "Portland Factor": Sometimes a bridge stays up for a ship. Sometimes there’s a mechanical delay.
A Quick Summary of Costs
- MAX Light Rail: $2.80 (Adult)
- Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): $35 - $65
- Radio Cab: $40 - $50 (Often faster than Uber because they use the taxi lanes)
- Walking: Not an option. It's 12 miles. Don't try it.
The Verdict on the Best Way
If I'm doing this trip, I'm taking the MAX. Every time. It’s predictable. I can check my email. I don't have to talk to a driver who wants to tell me his theories on cryptocurrency.
But, if I have three suitcases and a toddler? I'm taking a taxi. Not an Uber—a taxi. Portland's Radio Cab or Broadway Cab have dedicated stands at PDX. You don't have to wait for them to "find" you in the rideshare garage. You just walk up, hop in, and go. It’s the old-school way, and in this city, sometimes old-school is just more efficient.
Actionable Steps for Your Arrival
- Download the Hop Fastpass App: Don't faff around with the ticket machines at the MAX station. Download the app, load five bucks onto it, and just tap your phone on the purple reader. It works for the bus and the streetcar too.
- Check TriMet Alerts: Before you leave the terminal, check
trimet.org. If there is a "medical emergency" or a "power issue" on the Blue/Red line, you’ll know immediately and can pivot to a car. - Identify Your Entrance: Union Station has a main entrance under the clock tower. If you’re being dropped off by a car, tell them to take you to the "Amtrak main entrance on NW 6th."
- The Steel Bridge Pivot: If your MAX train says it's terminating at Gateway (it happens during construction), don't panic. Just cross the platform and wait for the next Blue Line train. It goes to the same place.
Moving from the airport to the train station shouldn't be the hardest part of your trip. Use the rails if you want to save money and see the city; take a cab if you’re exhausted. Just make sure you look up at that "Go by Train" sign when you get there—it’s one of the best sights in the city.