If you live in Portland or are visiting the city, it’s easy to board a train for a day, weekend or long-distance trip. Trains on Amtrak’s Cascades, Coast Starlight and Empire Builder routes stop at Union Station and travel to destinations in the Pacific Northwest, Canada, California, Montana and even the Midwest.
To start planning your getaway here are the best Amtrak trips from Portland. Most recommendations don’t require a train transfer, but there is an option to connect with Amtrak’s most scenic route. For more ideas, view the list of stations on each route to learn about all the places you can go (click the links above).
This website is reader supported and not affiliated with Amtrak. We may earn a small commission from links on this page. For current train schedules and ticket prices, visit Amtrak.com.
Eugene
Eugene, Oregon is an easy Amtrak day trip from Portland. Travel time is 2.5 hours and there are multiple trains to choose from each day. Wineries and hiking trails are abundant, plus you can go to a game at the University of Oregon, visit the Cascades Raptor Center and explore the Willamette River path. For food, don’t miss the many farm-to-table restaurants and the Eugene Saturday Market.
Seattle
Another short train trip from Portland is Seattle, which is 3.5 hours away. Choose from multiple train departures each day and enjoy views of water and mountains along the way. Top attractions include Space Needle, Chihulyās Garden and Glass exhibit, West Seattle ferry (amazing skyline views), Pike Placeās Market and local breweries. A day trip is doable, but we recommend staying at least one night in the city.
Bellingham
For beautiful views of Puget Sound, Salish Sea, Chuckanut Bay, Cascade Mountains and the Olympic Mountains, ride Amtrak’s Cascades route to Bellingham, Washington. Travel time is about six hours and you’ll want to spend at least one night in the area in order to sightsee. You can hike in Whatcom Falls Park and Lake Padden Park, go on a day trip to Mt. Baker and explore the historic Fairhaven Village. There’s even a ferry to Alaska!
Vancouver B.C.
Vancouver B.C. is an eight-hour coastal train trip from Portland and a fun destination if you have a passport. The city is known for its natural beauty, diverse culture, unique neighborhoods and food scene. Consider planning a trip around the Vancouver International Wine Festival in late February, the cherry blossoms that bloom late March through mid-April or the spectacular Canyon Lights on display from mid-November through mid-January.
Whitefish
Whitefish, Montana is a charming small town near ski slopes, hiking trails and all sorts of outdoor activities. The train arrives in a walkable area near restaurants, shops and vacation rentals. Rent a car at the Amtrak station (book in advance through Hertz, Budget or Dollar) or via Turo if you want to visit Glacier National Park. Or hop on the free S.N.O.W bus to go skiing in the winter. Travel time is about 13.5 hours and you’ll spend a night on the train.
Glacier National Park
To see Glacier National Park from Amtrak, travel from Portland to the East Glacier Station (park will be on the left side of the train). You can walk to the historic Glacier Park Lodge after arriving (tour buses stop here) You can also select the West Glacier Station as your destination, where you can board a shuttle to reach the park. You’ll need to stay at least one night at the Village Inn or Lake McDonald Lodge.
San Francisco Bay Area
Book your tickets to the Oakland Jack London Square Station to visit the Bay Area. You can walk from the station to the Oakland & Alameda ferry for an easy trip to downtown San Francisco. Top attractions include Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39 and the Twin Peaks Lookout. In Oakland, you can check out the Oakland Zoo, Redwood Regional Park and the Urban Wine Trail. Train travel time is 18.5 hours.
Paso Robles
Paso Robles is a must-visit destination if you love wine. Vineyards and wineries surround the small city, and you can walk to several hotels and wine tasting rooms from the Amtrak station. Wine tours are also available so you can easily visit local wineries without renting a car. Travel time is 23.5 hours. We recommend staying in Paso Robles (or San Luis Obispo, which is one stop away) at least two nights. San Luis Obispo Airport is nearby as a return trip option.
Santa Barbara
For amazing ocean scenery, travel from Portland to Santa Barbara (avoid November-February trips due to early sunset times). The city is known for Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, beaches, whale watching, restaurants and State Street shopping. Consider visiting in July or August if you want to enjoy the beaches and go to the Old Spanish Days festival. Amtrak travel time is almost 28 hours, so a roomette or bedroom makes this trip more comfortable.
Los Angeles
Portland to Los Angeles via Amtrak is over 31 hours and you’ll arrive at the historic L.A. Union Station near Chinatown. You can transfer to other Amtrak routes or go sightseeing in L.A. Top attractions include the Getty Center, Griffith Observatory and the Santa Monica Pier. City tours are a great way to see the sights (and maybe a celebrity). For a shorter train trip, you can book your tickets to the Burbank Hollywood Airport Station, which is near Universal Studios Hollywood, Hollywood and Griffith Park.
Empire Builder (cross-country)
For a cross-country Amtrak trip, travel 46 hours to Chicago. You’ll spend two nights on the train and see the Columbia River, Montana Rocky Mountains, the Great Plains and the Mississippi River. In Chicago, there are many museums and iconic attractions to check out after you arrive. We recommend booking a flight for the return trip or riding the California Zephyr train back to the West Coast (transfer in Sacramento to the Coast Starlight to reach Portland).
Sierra Nevada and Rockies
If you want to ride Amtrak’s most scenic route, book a trip from Portland to Denver. This involves transferring to the California Zephyr in Sacramento. You’ll have two days of majestic mountain scenery as you travel through the Sierra Nevada and the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Consider a night or more in Glenwood Springs, a small town in the Rockies. It’s a long 51-hour train ride, so we recommend booking a flight out of Denver for the return trip.
More Information
- 5 best Amtrak trips on the West Coast
- 8 best stops on the Amtrak Cascades
- 10 best stops on the Coast Starlight
- 10 best stops on the California Zephyr
Top photo by Madhumanti Mandal, Vancouver B.C. (CC BY-SA 4.0)
US Train Travel Guide 
