Key Highlights
-
Portland Union Station is the main train station in the city. It is a well-known place for people to travel in the Pacific Northwest.
-
Amtrak runs three big train routes from this station: the Cascades, Coast Starlight, and Empire Builder.
-
This train station is easy to spot. It has a Romanesque Revival clock tower and a “Go By Train” neon sign.
-
Travelers will find many up-to-date things here. There is a Metropolitan Lounge, baggage services, and parking.
-
Portland has great public transit with the MAX Light Rail. This makes it simple to get from the train station to other places in the city.
Introduction
Welcome to Portland, Oregon. This city is famous for its quirks and colorful culture. Taking a train is a great way to arrive here or see the area around it. This guide helps you get to know how to use trains in the Rose City.
We will talk about Portland Union Station. This is the main train station in the city. It opens the way to places all over the Pacific Northwest and even farther. It does not matter if you want to take a slow, pretty trip or just get to work fast. Here, you will find what you need to know to “Go By Train.”
Overview of Train Travel Options in Portland
Train travel in Portland is centered at Union Station. This is the city’s main train station for long trips and regional routes. You can find all Amtrak services here. These trains will take you up and down the West Coast and to other places in the United States.
Union Station is the main spot for passengers who want to travel by train. When you arrive in Portland, you will notice the city also has a big light rail system. This helps you get around and keeps your trip easy. Now, let’s see what services are offered.
Types of Train Services Available (Amtrak, Commuter & Light Rail)
Your main train line in Portland is Amtrak. You can find it at Union Station. There are a few good routes that give you different ways to get where you want to go. These services let you travel to large cities and see some great views across the country.
The top Amtrak routes from Portland are:
-
Amtrak Cascades
-
Coast Starlight
-
Empire Builder
Portland also has the MAX Light Rail system. It is not part of the long-distance trains, but the MAX Light Rail stops close to Union Station. This means you can get around the city easily when you arrive. Commuters and visitors both say the MAX is a good way to reach your next stop in Portland.
How Portland Integrates Train Travel with Other Transit Modes
Portland is well-known for its easy, green public transit. Getting around is simple and quick. Moving from your train onto another ride is easy, because the city cares about making things work well for everyone. Portland also cares about the environment.
If you arrive at Union Station, it is simple to go anywhere in the city. The MAX Light Rail is close by. You can walk for a short time and get right on a train to downtown, the airport, or other parts of Portland that you want to see. The city is also great for bicycle transportation.
-
Connect easily to the MAX Light Rail system.
-
Take advantage of dedicated bike lanes across the city.
-
Enjoy walks through nearby green spaces.
-
Find bus stops for the local TriMet system nearby.
This setup makes things smooth. You can get off your train and go explore Portland without a lot of trouble. You can ride the rails, use a bike, or take a nice walk in green spaces. Portland has what you need for your travel style.
Exploring Union Station: Portland’s Historic Rail Hub
Portland’s Union Station is not just where you get a train. This spot is a historic place. It sits in Old Town Chinatown. You can spot the station right away because of its romanese revival clock tower. The large neon sign on the clock tower says, “Go By Train.”
Union station is a real gem for the city. It is Portland’s main train stop. People come and go here all the time. The inside shows how old and grand the place is. There are things to use that make trips easy for travelers. It is a good place to start or end your trip. Now, let’s see what else you can find and what makes the union station, its clock tower, and the space in Old Town Chinatown special for people in Portland today.
Architectural Highlights and Historical Significance
Union Station opened its doors in 1896 and shows what train travel was like in the past. The most noticeable part of the station is its 150-foot Romanesque Revival clock tower. This tower is loved by many and is easy to spot in Portland’s skyline. On the outside, the building has a lot of fine terra cotta and brick work. It points to how much time and care went into building it.
When you walk inside, you see that the grand waiting room keeps this old-time feeling. It brings up good memories for people as they pass through. Union Station sits close to the center of downtown, which has made it important for the city for more than one hundred years.
All these things come together and give union station its eclectic charm. It is much more than a place to get on a train. This spot is a real part of Portland’s rich history and welcomes the people with a special look and feel that new places often do not have.
Main Features and Modern Amenities at Union Station
Union Station has a long history, but you will also find modern features here. There are things visitors might need, like a staffed ticket office, ticket kiosks, and clean restrooms. There is an ATM and vending machines if you want a quick snack or drink.
If you have bags with you, the station gives many helpful options. There is checked baggage service, places for baggage storage, and Red Cap staff to help you. If you bring a bike or skis, you can get special boxes and bags for those, too.
-
Checked baggage service and storage
-
On-site paid parking for same-day and overnight trips
-
Accessible facilities, including restrooms and waiting areas
-
A Metropolitan Lounge for eligible passengers
If you want a better trip before your train leaves, you can spend time in the Metropolitan Lounge. It opens every day at Union Station. This space is for Business Class travelers, people with private rooms, and some Amtrak Guest Rewards members. It gives you a quiet spot to rest while you wait for your train.
Amtrak Routes and Destinations from Portland
From Portland, Amtrak lets you visit many great places. Three big train routes leave from Union Station. Each trip shows off some of the best views in North America. You can go on a short trip in the area or travel far across the country. There are many choices for you.
The main routes are the Amtrak Cascades, the Coast Starlight, and the Empire Builder. These trains will take you to big cities, small towns, and amazing parks. Let’s see what you can get from each route and talk about some popular stops you can visit.
Amtrak Cascades, Coast Starlight, and Empire Builder Explained
Each of the three Amtrak routes departing from Portland offers a unique travel experience. The Amtrak Cascades is a regional service known for its scenic views as it travels through the Pacific Northwest, connecting cities between Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia.
The Coast Starlight is a famous long-distance route that runs along the entirety of the West Coast, offering breathtaking ocean and mountain vistas. For those looking to travel east, the Empire Builder provides a cross-country journey from the Pacific Northwest to Chicago. All three of these routes stop at various Amtrak stations along their paths.
|
Route Name |
Key Corridor |
|---|---|
|
Amtrak Cascades |
Eugene, OR – Vancouver, BC |
|
Coast Starlight |
Seattle, WA – Los Angeles, CA |
|
Empire Builder |
Portland, OR – Chicago, IL |
Popular Destinations Accessible from Portland by Train
Thanks to Amtrak, you can ride the train from Portland to many great places. It does not matter if you want a fast weekend trip or a longer break. Taking the train is a calm and pretty way to see new parts of the country.
The Amtrak Cascades route lets you see the best of the Pacific Northwest. You can travel north to Seattle, which is full of life, or take the train all the way into Vancouver, British Columbia. If you go south, you can spend time in Eugene, a college city in Oregon. These rides give you nice views of water and big mountains.
-
Seattle, Washington
-
Vancouver, British Columbia
-
Los Angeles, California
-
Eugene, Oregon
If you want a longer trip, the Coast Starlight runs down the west coast all the way to Los Angeles. You will see pretty coast and valley areas on the way. This trip is a special way to enjoy all the things that California has to show.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many people who travel want to know what the train stations in Portland offer. Most train stations in Portland, like the famous Portland Union Station with its large Romanesque Revival clock tower, have the main things you need, like restrooms and baggage help. It is also common for people to ask about which trains go to nearby places, including cities such as Seattle and Eugene. If you want to get around Portland easily, you can use the MAX Light Rail. This train makes it simple to go to spots like the center of downtown or Old Town Chinatown.
Is there local light rail near Union Station?
Yes, there is. The MAX Light Rail stops are not inside Union Station, but they are a short walk away from the train station. This makes it easy for people to go from Union Station to the center of downtown Portland. The MAX Light Rail can also take you to many other neighborhoods in the city.
How do I buy Amtrak tickets for departure from Portland?
You can buy Amtrak tickets for any route at the Portland train station. You can get tickets for coast starlight and empire builder right at this train station. There are people at the ticket sales office who can help you in person. There are also self-service ticket machines if you want to buy tickets fast. You can buy tickets online too, with the Amtrak website or app.
Where can travelers park when using Union Station?
You can find paid parking close to Union Station. There are choices for same-day and overnight parking, but you have to pay for them. Amtrak does not promise that there will be a parking spot for you. So, it is best to get there early, especially when a lot of people are traveling.
Conclusion
To sum up, train stations in Portland give you a good mix of history, ease, and a way to connect with other places. You can enjoy the way Union Station looks, and get to many spots with Amtrak. There is a lot to see in this city. When you mix the train with other ways of travel, you get a trip that is simple and smooth. This works well for people who live here and for those who travel in.
You will find different choices, from the nice views on the Amtrak Cascades to the story behind this rail spot. You have a chance to make your trip better. So, if you want a small trip for the day or a long journey, think about using the train. This can help you see the charm of Portland and go past it. Start to plan your trip now!