Booking Amtrak In Oregon..!!
Oregon, with its breathtaking coastline, majestic mountains, lush forests, and vibrant cities, offers an incredible array of landscapes. While road trips are popular, experiencing the Beaver State by train offers a unique, relaxing, and often scenic perspective. Amtrak’s routes in Oregon connect major cities and provide gateways to some of its most iconic destinations.
This complete guide will walk you through every Amtrak station in Oregon, detailing what to expect, the lines they serve, and crucial distances to key cities and airports, making your rail travel planning a breeze.
Understanding Oregon’s Amtrak Network
Oregon is primarily served by two Amtrak lines:
- The Coast Starlight: A legendary long-distance route connecting Los Angeles, Seattle, and Portland. It offers spectacular views of the Pacific coastline, the Cascade Mountains, and lush valleys.
- The Amtrak Cascades: A regional service running multiple daily trains between Eugene, Portland, and Seattle/Vancouver, B.C. (Canada). It’s perfect for convenient city-to-city travel within the Pacific Northwest.
Oregon Amtrak Stations at a Glance
Before we dive into the details, here’s a quick overview of all Amtrak stations within Oregon:
| Station Name | City Served | Amtrak Line(s) | Staffed | Waiting Room | Baggage Service | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klamath Falls | Klamath Falls | Coast Starlight | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chemult | Chemult | Coast Starlight | No | Shelter | No | Yes |
| Oakridge | Oakridge | Coast Starlight | No | Shelter | No | Yes |
| Albany | Albany | Coast Starlight, Amtrak Cascades | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Salem | Salem | Coast Starlight, Amtrak Cascades | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Oregon City | Oregon City | Amtrak Cascades | No | Shelter | No | Yes |
| Portland | Portland | Coast Starlight, Amtrak Cascades | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (metered) |
Detailed Station Guide with Distances
Let’s explore each station, moving from south to north through Oregon.
1. Klamath Falls (KFS)
- Address: 1600 Oak Ave, Klamath Falls, OR 97601
- About: Located in Southern Oregon, Klamath Falls is known for its stunning natural beauty, including the Upper Klamath Lake and proximity to Crater Lake National Park. The historic station building retains much of its original charm.
- Amenities: Staffed station, enclosed waiting room, restrooms, payphones, checked baggage service, accessible platform.
Key Distances from Klamath Falls Amtrak Station:
| Destination Type | Destination Name | Distance (Approx. Miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Major Cities | Medford, OR | 78 |
| Redding, CA | 141 | |
| Bend, OR | 139 | |
| Airports | Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR) | 79 |
| Portland International Airport (PDX) | 260 | |
| Attractions | Crater Lake National Park (South Entrance) | 60 |
| Lava Beds National Monument | 40 |
2. Chemult (CMO)
- Address: Oregon Route 58, Chemult, OR 97731 (intersection of US-97 and OR-58)
- About: A small, unstaffed stop in a remote, scenic area. Chemult serves as a gateway to the central Oregon Cascades, including Willamette National Forest and the eastern side of Crater Lake.
- Amenities: Unstaffed, open-air shelter, platform, restrooms. No checked baggage.
Key Distances from Chemult Amtrak Station:
| Destination Type | Destination Name | Distance (Approx. Miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Major Cities | Bend, OR | 48 |
| La Pine, OR | 20 | |
| Eugene, OR | 90 | |
| Airports | Roberts Field (RDM) – Redmond | 61 |
| Portland International Airport (PDX) | 185 | |
| Attractions | Crater Lake National Park (North Entrance – seasonal) | 49 |
| Willamette National Forest | 0 (surrounding) |
3. Oakridge (OKR)
- Address: 47790 Industrial Park Rd, Oakridge, OR 97463
- About: Known as the “Mountain Biking Capital of the Northwest” and a hub for white-water rafting, Oakridge offers access to the scenic Willamette National Forest. This is another unstaffed stop.
- Amenities: Unstaffed, open-air shelter, platform, restrooms. No checked baggage.
Key Distances from Oakridge Amtrak Station:
| Destination Type | Destination Name | Distance (Approx. Miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Major Cities | Eugene, OR | 40 |
| Springfield, OR | 36 | |
| Bend, OR | 85 | |
| Airports | Eugene Airport (EUG) | 50 |
| Portland International Airport (PDX) | 160 | |
| Attractions | Willamette National Forest | 0 (surrounding) |
| Salt Creek Falls | 30 |
4. Albany (ALB)
- Address: 110 W 1st Ave, Albany, OR 97321
- About: Situated in the heart of the Willamette Valley, Albany is a vibrant city known for its historic districts. It’s a key transfer point for travelers heading to Corvallis (home of Oregon State University) or exploring wine country.
- Amenities: Staffed station, enclosed waiting room, restrooms, payphones, checked baggage service, accessible platform. The station features beautiful historic architecture.
Key Distances from Albany Amtrak Station:
| Destination Type | Destination Name | Distance (Approx. Miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Major Cities | Corvallis, OR | 11 |
| Salem, OR | 27 | |
| Eugene, OR | 46 | |
| Portland, OR | 79 | |
| Airports | Eugene Airport (EUG) | 45 |
| Portland International Airport (PDX) | 80 | |
| Attractions | Oregon State University (Corvallis) | 11 |
| Willamette Valley Wine Country | 0 (surrounding) |
5. Salem (SLM)
- Address: 500 13th St SE, Salem, OR 97301
- About: As Oregon’s state capital, Salem boasts a rich history, beautiful parks, and proximity to vineyards. The station is conveniently located near downtown attractions.
- Amenities: Staffed station, enclosed waiting room, restrooms, payphones, checked baggage service, accessible platform.
Key Distances from Salem Amtrak Station:
| Destination Type | Destination Name | Distance (Approx. Miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Major Cities | Portland, OR | 48 |
| Corvallis, OR | 35 | |
| Eugene, OR | 73 | |
| Airports | Salem McNary Field Airport (SLE) (general aviation) | 4 |
| Portland International Airport (PDX) | 60 | |
| Attractions | Oregon State Capitol Building | 1 |
| Enchanted Forest Theme Park | 6 |
6. Oregon City (ORC)
- Address: 1100 McLoughlin Blvd, Oregon City, OR 97045
- About: Oregon City holds the distinction of being Oregon’s first incorporated city and the end of the Oregon Trail. It’s a historic stop just south of Portland.
- Amenities: Unstaffed, open-air shelter, platform, restrooms. No checked baggage.
Key Distances from Oregon City Amtrak Station:
| Destination Type | Destination Name | Distance (Approx. Miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Major Cities | Portland, OR | 15 |
| Vancouver, WA | 21 | |
| Salem, OR | 33 | |
| Airports | Portland International Airport (PDX) | 20 |
| Attractions | Museum of the Oregon Territory | 1 |
| Willamette Falls | 1 |
7. Portland Union Station (PDX)
- Address: 800 NW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
- About: Portland’s Union Station is a grand, historic landmark serving as the state’s primary Amtrak hub. Located in the vibrant Old Town/Chinatown district, it offers easy access to downtown Portland, public transit (MAX Light Rail, streetcar, bus), and the city’s many attractions.
- Amenities: Staffed station, large enclosed waiting room, restrooms, luggage storage, ticketing office, Pacific Northwest rail-themed retail, payphones, checked baggage service, accessible platform and services.
Key Distances from Portland Union Station:
| Destination Type | Destination Name | Distance (Approx. Miles) | Travel Time (Approx. Drive) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Cities | Vancouver, WA | 10 | 15-20 minutes |
| Seattle, WA | 175 | 3 hours | |
| Eugene, OR | 110 | 1 hour 45 minutes | |
| Airports | Portland International Airport (PDX) | 12 | 20-30 minutes (direct MAX connection) |
| Attractions | Pioneer Courthouse Square | 1 | 5 minutes |
| Oregon Zoo | 4 | 10 minutes | |
| Washington Park (Rose Garden, Japanese Garden) | 3 | 10 minutes | |
| Columbia River Gorge | 30 (to Multnomah Falls) | 40 minutes |
Tips for Traveling Amtrak in Oregon
- Book in Advance: Especially for the Coast Starlight, tickets can sell out, particularly for private rooms.
- Check Real-Time Status: Amtrak trains can sometimes experience delays. Use the Amtrak app or website to check your train’s status before heading to the station.
- Accessibility: All Amtrak stations and trains are accessible. It’s best to inform Amtrak of any specific needs when booking.
- Luggage: Be aware of baggage limits and carry-on policies. Staffed stations offer checked baggage service, but unstaffed stations do not.
- Enjoy the Journey: Amtrak offers large windows for scenic viewing, comfortable seats, and often dining/lounge cars. Embrace the slower pace and the unique perspective of seeing Oregon by rail!
Whether you’re exploring the capital, heading to the mountains, or experiencing the vibrant culture of Portland, Amtrak provides a comfortable and memorable way to traverse the diverse landscapes of Oregon. Happy travels!