No single train covers the whole corridor, so check where yours ends. Some Seattle trains finish in Portland, some continue on to Eugene, and one starts in Vancouver and runs through to Portland. Amtrak Thruway buses fill the gaps and carry you to towns off the rail line in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia.
Daily departures
You can choose from six Cascades round trips between Seattle and Portland every day, a lineup in place since December 2023. That expansion brought an early departure from each city and a late evening return, a schedule planned years earlier so business travelers could spend a full day in the other city. Before you go, look up current departure times on the official Amtrak Cascades schedule and fares page, since timetables can change.
Boarding in Seattle
Head to King Street Station, just south of downtown, to catch your train. It sits a short trip from many central Seattle neighborhoods, so getting there without a car is simple.
Cascades or the Coast Starlight
Most travelers between the two cities ride Cascades, which offers far more departures. The Coast Starlight delivers a different kind of journey, running daily between Seattle and Los Angeles by way of Portland and the San Francisco Bay Area, and it has operated without interruption since Amtrak began in 1971.
Step aboard and you will find tall, double-decker Superliner cars. Grab a seat in the Sightseer Lounge car to watch the scenery through floor-to-ceiling windows, or visit the dining car; the train carries sleeping cars too. If its single departure fits your plans, the Starlight makes a pleasant alternative for a Portland trip.
Plan for possible delays
Both trains share tracks with freight, with Cascades running mostly on BNSF Railway lines in Washington and Union Pacific lines in Oregon. On-time performance for Cascades came in under 59 percent in fiscal year 2021, and the Starlight has a long record of delays from freight congestion along its longer route. Build some slack into your day, especially if you have a tight connection.
New Trains on the Line
Look out for the new Cascades trainsets, which entered service on September 30, 2026, starting on trains 503, 508, 516 and 519. These longer Airo trainsets are supported by an expanded maintenance facility at the Seattle Yard, which opened in October 2026. Check with Amtrak Cascades to see which departures currently use the new equipment.
Heading north as well? A new preclearance facility at Vancouver's Pacific Central Station, completed in 2026, removes a secondary customs stop in Blaine and is expected to trim about 15 minutes from southbound trips.
Train or Car: Choosing Your Trip
Take the car if you want to set your own schedule, stop along the way or need wheels once you reach Portland. Choose the train if you are traveling downtown to downtown and would rather read, work or watch the scenery than navigate.
Reasons to ride the train
- Several departures a day: pick from six Cascades round trips plus the daily Coast Starlight.
- Same-day trips: early and late trains in both directions make a day visit workable.
- Practical extras: the official rider's guide covers baggage, bringing a bike, pets, traveling with kids, seating, accessibility and the onboard menu.
Reasons to drive
- Flexibility: leave when you want instead of following a timetable.
- Side trips: explore beyond the rail stations with your own car.
- No reliance on train timing: rail delays tied to freight traffic will not affect you.
Heading Back to Seattle
The same Cascades trains run in the other direction, so the trip from Portland to Seattle works just as smoothly. Arriving by rail, you step off at King Street Station, close to downtown and many of the city's best-known landmarks. For ideas on how to spend your time, browse our guide to things to do in Seattle.
Prices and schedules change, so book through the official Amtrak Cascades site and check your train's status before you head to the station.
