Portland, OR to Seattle, WA Train

Travel by train from Portland, OR, to Seattle, WA

The train from Portland, OR, to Seattle, WA, lasts on average 3 hr 26 min. Around 1 trains depart a day from Portland to Seattle. The average price is $38.60, and the lowest ticket pricing starts at around $32.44.

Amtrak, the largest passenger railroad service in the U.S., operates the train from Portland to Seattle. There are two long-distance train services connecting the two cities: 

1. The Cascades is the train service named after the Cascades, a mountain range stretching from Northern California to British Columbia. The service stops in most cities from Canada to Oregon, giving you some of the most stunning views of the Pacific Northwest: Columbia River, Cascade mountains, fishing towns, lush forests, and the Pacific Ocean.
2. The Coast Starlight is even more stunning; it connects all the major cities, from Seattle to Los Angeles. Rainy Washington forests, Cascades, Rocky Mountains, and Pacific beaches, you can experience it all in the unique sightseeing cars. The Coast Starlight is one of the long-distance trains using the double-decker Superliner cars: dining cars, sleeping cars, and the special observation lounge car. You can observe the dramatic scenery unfold while having a snack from the café on the lower deck. 

The journey time and the price are similar for both services. However, the Cascades operate more often, while the Coast Starlight usually goes once daily but is more comfortable.

Union Station in Portland is located at 800 NW Sixth Avenue and is widely recognizable thanks to its glowing neon sign encouraging travelers to "Go By Train." The station is located at. The station features vending machines, ATMs, vending machines ticketing kiosks, and a ticket office. Business-class passengers can take some time to relax in the Metropolitan Lounge, which has comfortable seating and complimentary snacks and beverages. The station is fully accessible, with an elevator, accessible toilets, and accessible parking. Overnight and same-day parking is available for a fee if you want to leave your car.

In Seattle, you will arrive at King St Station - 303 S Jackson St. It was opened at the beginning of the 20th Century as a Union Station for the Great Northern Railway and the Pacific Northwest Railway. It is still, to this day, an important hub. Amtrak trains, Greyhound buses, local commuter trains, and the Metro use it as a stop. Like many other train terminals in the United States, Seattle's station is a historical landmark. Still, unlike other stations, the clock tower on King Street Station is inspired by the clock tower on Piazza San Marco in Venice. How fancy is that?

Seattle has a lot to offer to culture and nature lovers. Home of the grunge movement that gave us Nirvana and Pearl Jam, the city still has a bustling music and craft beer scene. Visit the Space Needle or check out one of the museums. The city's relaxed vibe made it a backdrop of many TV series like Frasier and Grey's Anatomy. Nature lovers can emerge themselves in the North Pacific experience, hiking, skiing, boating, taking a ferry to one of the nearby islands, or just enjoying the rain in the lush forests (there is no shortage of that).

So if you plan to travel to Seattle from Portland by train, let us help you plan it. We check thousands of rail, bus, and flight destinations to help you find the best price. 

Check out our handy price calendar below, where you can see the best prices across all modes of transport between Portland and Seattle.