United States

How to get from Portland (Oregon) to Seattle

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and practical tips.

⏱
FASTEST
0h 58min
💶
From
34€
📍
Distance
233 km
Powered by 12Go system
⚡ Quick answer

Fastest way from Portland (Oregon) to Seattle: Flight, about 0h 58min (from €210). Cheapest: Bus, from €34 (about 3h 30min). Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 6, 2026): Greyhound, FlixBus; main departure point: Portland Curbside Bus Stop.

Distance: 233 km. Data updated on .

There are 2 ways to get from Portland (Oregon) to Seattle

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

Bus
3h 30min – 3h 40min
CHEAPEST
34 – 36 €
View
Flight
0h 58min – 1h 1min
FASTEST
210 €
View
🚌 Departure from Portland (Oregon)
📍In Portland, long-distance buses typically leave from the downtown area, often around the Union Station district. Stops can differ by operator, so confirm the exact pickup point on your e-ticket and arrive a little early.
🚇Downtown Portland is easy to reach by MAX light rail, streetcar or local bus from most neighbourhoods. From the airport, the MAX Red Line goes straight into the centre. A taxi or ride-hailing car is a simple alternative with luggage.
⏰Departures run through the day, from early morning to the evening, with several services daily. Exact first and last times vary by operator and date, so check the booking page for your day.
💸 Transport from 34€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 0h 58min
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 12go.asia

Companies selling this route on 12Go

Offers listed on 12Go on November 6, 2026 for a departure on November 27, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.

CompanyModeDeparts fromFromOffers
Greyhound Bus Portland Curbside Bus Stop €34 2
FlixBus Bus Portland Curbside Bus Stop €35 1
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Practical tips

💡
Pick the bus for city-centre convenience

The bus links downtown to downtown, so you skip airport transfers and security queues. If your plans are flexible and your budget is tight, it is usually the more sensible choice for this short corridor.

💡
Fly only if time really matters

The plane is quicker in the air, but airport transfers and check-in reduce the gain. Choose it mainly for a tight schedule or an onward flight, not simply out of habit.

💡
Check the exact departure stop

Some US bus stops are on a street corner, not inside a station. Read the pickup address on your e-ticket and look it up on a map the day before so you do not head to the wrong place.

💡
Confirm your arrival airport or stop

Seattle has more than one point of arrival depending on the mode. Check whether your ticket ends downtown or at the airport, and plan your onward connection to your accommodation before you travel.

💡
Book early and arrive ahead of departure

Fares tend to rise as departure approaches, so book ahead. Arrive at the stop early, especially if it is a street pickup, so you do not miss the last departure of the day.

The journey experience

Portland to Seattle is one of the easiest city pairs on the West Coast, and the choice comes down to a simple trade-off: a low-cost road journey or a quick hop in the air. You do not need a car for either, and the table on this page lets you compare time and price side by side before you commit.

By bus, you travel city centre to city centre along the I-5 corridor, with a comfortable reclining seat, a power outlet and Wi-Fi on most coaches. It is the budget-friendly option and the one most independent travellers pick, since you avoid airport transfers altogether. The flight is faster in the air, but remember that you still need to reach the airport, go through security and then get from the arrival airport into town, which eats into the advantage.

Our advice: if you are watching your budget or your schedule is flexible, take the bus and book early for the best fares. If you are short on time or connecting to another flight, the plane makes sense. Whichever you choose, check the exact departure stop on your e-ticket, because US bus stops are sometimes on a street rather than in a station. You will get instant confirmation when you book online.

Frequently asked questions — Portland (Oregon) → Seattle

Why visit Seattle?

  • ✓ Browse Pike Place Market, from flying fishmongers to the original Starbucks
  • ✓ Ride the Space Needle elevator for 360° views of Mount Rainier and Puget Sound
  • ✓ Explore the Museum of Pop Culture and the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibition
  • ✓ Take a ferry from Colman Dock to Bainbridge Island for skyline views
  • ✓ Wander Capitol Hill and Ballard for craft breweries, indie cafés and the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
🌙
Recommended stay
2 to 4 nights — enough for the city's main sights plus a day trip to Mount Rainier or the islands

When to visit Seattle?

MILD OCEANIC CLIMATE

June to September — dry, sunny and mild weather, with long days and clear views of the mountains

Jan 😞
Feb 😞
Mar 😞
Apr 😐
May 😐
Jun 😐
Jul 😊
Aug 😊
Sep 😊
Oct 😐
Nov 😞
Dec 😞
📍
In Seattle — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Seattle
Compare the best rates available
via trip.com

What to do in Seattle?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

MUST-SEE
🗼
Space Needle Observation Deck
Seattle's icon, built for the 1962 World's Fair. The rotating glass floor and 360° views reach Mount Rainier on clear days. Tickets start around 35€; book the first slot of the day or sunset online to avoid queues. Combine with the Chihuly Garden and Glass next door.
🐟
Pike Place Market Morning Stroll
Open since 1907, this is America's most famous public market. Watch fishmongers toss salmon, taste local cheese at Beecher's and grab a pastry at Piroshky Piroshky. Arrive before 9am on weekdays to avoid crowds. Entry is free; budget 10-15€ for a snack lunch.
🎸
Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
Housed in a Frank Gehry building, MoPOP covers Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, sci-fi and horror films. The grunge exhibit is essential for music fans. Tickets cost about 25€; buy online for a timed entry and visit on a weekday afternoon when it is quieter.
🛥️
Washington State Ferry to Bainbridge
The 35-minute crossing from Colman Dock offers the best skyline views of Seattle for about 8€ round trip, paid only on departure from Seattle. Walk off and explore Winslow's cafés and the Bainbridge waterfront. Sit on the upper deck on the port side leaving the city.
☕
Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tasting
Skip the original 1971 Pike Place store queue and head to the Capitol Hill Roastery, a huge working coffee factory. Try a single-origin flight or a nitro cold brew for around 7€. Go on a weekday morning, and also explore Seattle's independent roasters like Victrola nearby.
🌳
Discovery Park and West Point Lighthouse
Seattle's largest park covers 534 acres of forest, meadows and beaches. Walk the 2.8-mile Loop Trail, then the beach to the 1881 West Point Lighthouse with views of the Olympic Mountains. Entry is free. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water; bus 33 serves the park.
🚶
Seattle Underground Tour
After the 1889 fire, Seattle rebuilt a story higher, leaving buried streets beneath Pioneer Square. A 75-minute guided tour mixes history with humor. Tickets are about 20€; book ahead in summer. Afterward, explore Pioneer Square's galleries and the Klondike Gold Rush museum, which is free.
🌅
Sunset at Kerry Park
A small Queen Anne viewpoint with the classic postcard panorama: skyline, Elliott Bay and Mount Rainier. Free and always open. Arrive 30 minutes before sunset for a spot, and bring a jacket as evenings are cool. Walk down to Queen Anne's cafés afterwards for dinner.

How long to visit Seattle?

3 to 7 days

Allow 3 to 4 days to cover the essentials: Pike Place Market, Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture, Capitol Hill and a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island. With 5 to 7 days, add a day trip to Mount Rainier or the Olympic Peninsula. Book Space Needle and popular tours in advance, and visit between July and September for the best chance of clear skies.

Related searches

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