Portland to Seattle: Plane, Train, or Automobile?
February 26, 2016 3:59 PM   Subscribe

I'm looking into taking the train from Seattle to Portland next month. People who often travel between the two cities: how does it stack up to flying or driving?

While I'm in between jobs I'm looking to go up to Seattle and Portland for a few days next month. Planning on flying from home (LA) to Seattle then flying back to LA from Portland. Was mulling around the idea of taking the Amtrak to get from Seattle to Portland.

For reference: I routinely take the Amtrak from LA to San Diego, and IMO it is far and away the best way to get between the two cities. I really like the general ease of it as opposed to dealing the goddamn 5 freeway. Plus, it runs along the Pacific so it's quite scenic.

The price difference appears to be that it's $26 to take the train and $60ish to fly. Or $60ish to rent a car and drive, but then obviously I have the freedom to take detours. I'm slightly leaning towards the train, so I guess I'm just wondering if there's a really compelling reason not to take it, like "oh yeah, that thing never runs on time" or whatever. Thanks!
posted by joechip to Travel & Transportation (15 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
Best answer: The train ride is pretty, while the car ride is not. Take the train.
posted by joan_holloway at 4:08 PM on February 26, 2016 [5 favorites]


Best answer: I've lived in both cities and driven between them probably hundreds of times. I would second riding the train if time ins't a huge issue and if you don't need a car on the other end.
posted by primethyme at 4:09 PM on February 26, 2016 [1 favorite]


Best answer: Oh, and as for the train vs plane - I feel like the plane ride would be just as long, if not longer once you factor in traveling to and waiting in the airport (the SEA airport for one is outside of the city and will cost you an additional 30 min). Might as well take the train for the view.
posted by joan_holloway at 4:10 PM on February 26, 2016 [5 favorites]


Best answer: I've flown Seattle to Portland only once, but it was one of the more amazing flights I've been on, thanks to a window seat and a route that went right over Mt. St. Helens with a close-hand view of the caldera and the devastation zone. (Was in March if I recall--still lots of snow cover on the mountain.)
posted by Creosote at 4:20 PM on February 26, 2016 [2 favorites]


Train is definitely easiest and most pleasant.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 4:23 PM on February 26, 2016 [1 favorite]


Best answer: The train is great. You should definitely take the train if its schedule works for you. It is prettier and more comfortable than driving, and it is prettier, cheaper, more comfortable, and less prison-like than flying. Also, it picks you up and drops you off right downtown, so it is generally not actually much slower than flying once you factor in the trip to and from the airport.
posted by Mars Saxman at 4:37 PM on February 26, 2016 [2 favorites]


I'd add Boltbus as an option, it's what I usually use for price-sensitive travel SEA-PDX.
posted by CrystalDave at 4:49 PM on February 26, 2016 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: Thanks everyone! Seems like the train will work great for my needs (plus I now see the Amtrak stop in Seattle is less than a mile from the neighborhood where I'll be staying so it just makes the most sense.)
posted by joechip at 4:52 PM on February 26, 2016


Best answer: Note that Amtrak Cascades from PDX to Seattle regularly sells out, especially around 3-day weekends, and fridays/weekends in general. Don't plan on being able to show up and buy a ticket on the spot, order online in advance!
posted by frontmn23 at 4:53 PM on February 26, 2016 [2 favorites]


Best answer: Be sure not to book on the Coast Starlight. It is always running late by the time it reaches the end of the line.
posted by humboldt32 at 5:19 PM on February 26, 2016 [5 favorites]


Nthing the train. Driving in Seattle in horrible, and there's no reason to have a car in Portland as a visitor. And both cities' train stations are very centrally-located. Portland's a little less so, but there's the Max right there, and it's only about a 10-minute walk to the heart of downtown.
posted by Automocar at 5:35 PM on February 26, 2016 [1 favorite]


The difference between going to Seattle by train as opposed to going by car or plane, is that you are not having to bend your body to get into a stressful cramped space.

Instead you walk through an old-world high-ceiling’ed train station lobby, board your train, find your seat, and watch the beautiful river and scenery glide past through your wide window.

(and I would think that in regards to flying, you’d be spending a comparable amount of time in stressful TSA security theater as you would actually in the air)
posted by blueberry at 8:23 PM on February 26, 2016


Bolt or train either one, but have a plan for getting into the local transit options. Train is at the airport into the core and Bolt docks in the core right by the transit tunnel south end.
posted by Freedomboy at 11:21 PM on February 26, 2016


Best answer: Just allow extra time for the train, the last time I took it it was an hour late. It has to yield to the freight trains.
posted by Pembquist at 12:41 PM on February 27, 2016 [1 favorite]


If this is not too late here goes. I've traveled the Coast Starlight both NB and SB generally from Sacramento CA. NB is my favorite.

The current train typically includes the Pacific Parlor Car (unless needing service), a refurbed old Santa Fe lounge/observation car, a historical piece (in a good way) and with nice accommodations, and incorporating some programs along the way. You have to book a roomette or room to take advantage of the Parlor Car though (let's not call it first class).

Of course, you have to book a roomette or room if you want to maintain your sanity traveling any length of time on Amtrak (overnight). One must get horizontal to sleep or it'll irritate the heck out of you. Meals (Amtrak meals) are included with the room. Meals are edible, hit and miss like the staff's moods. The tables seat four, while they don’t split parties, they do seat people together. I've had some fantastic conversation with Australians, Canadians, a young couple, retirees and a couple of pretty interesting characters from Baton Rouge Louisiana over the years.

Service back in the seventies into the eighties was absolutely, spectacularly horrible. Last ten years or so it has improved. Sadly can still can be hit or miss though. On time service is sort of "creative interpretation." The trains can run late yes, so DO NOT travel Amtrak if you have time sensitive connections to make - just don't do it to avoid disappointment. On the Coast Starlight, as I suspect with All Amtrak long distance trains, they seem to pad the schedules a bit. You'll notice toward the end of the trip, if running late, the train seems to speed up a bit.

If you are traveling north bound from LA, north of Sacramento, day two, make an effort to get to the dining car at opening time, I think 6AM, for breakfast. This will likely be sun-up or near which used to be approximately just prior to reaching Klamath Falls, OR or if the train is running a tad late, while passing Klamath Lakes - very nice views.

The NB route goes through the Siskyous at night unfortunately but it's fun to see the train snake up the Sacramento River , into tunnels, if your up that late. Sun up is approx at Klamath Falls so you travel the rest of the day through Oregon forests down to Eugene then through the Willamette Valley to Portland, then by Columbia River to Peugeot Sound to Seattle all in day light - nice.

That being said, again, the crews can be rude at times, usually a mix of very nice and helpful and some "not so much" types. The schedule is sort of a suggestion rather than a rule, the train can run late, break down, etc. The best review that summarizes riding the Coast Starlight can be found on Yelp, Pedro V from Danville 8/6/2012, it's a hoot and pretty much right on, well, the food isn't that bad and the staff isn't always that bad. His summary left me laughing for some time though and I guess is apt, "

Summary:

Picture a Motel 6 in Bakersfield, staffed by DMV employees and catered by the people who make the sandwiches that you find in vending machines at the county hospital.

Now put some wheels on that Motel 6 and drive it up and back at about 45-50 mph up and down California and you will have a pretty good idea of what to expect. You can count on some decent views, meeting some nice travelers, and relaxing.

If you keep your expectations very, very low, you are likely to come away satisfied."


Really, it's generally not that bad, but a great ride through gorgeous scenery and you'll meet fun people.

Now, taking the train for LA to New Orleans is another proposition altogether. Probably a bit better than being thrown in the truck of a Cadillac and driven there. Can't wait to take the train to Chicago though.
posted by WinstonJulia at 8:01 PM on March 19, 2016 [2 favorites]


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