Portland International Airport to downtown Portland is a straightforward trip to plan: the MAX Red Line connects PDX with Portland City Center, while taxis, rideshares and rental cars offer road options. At the airport, the MAX station is on Level 1 by baggage claim; taxi pickup and rideshare pickup have separate locations.
- MAX: About 39–40 minutes to or from downtown, with trains running every 15 minutes or less most of the day.
- Adult fare: $2.80 for ages 18–64; Honored Citizens and Youth pay $1.40.
- Taxi: Pickup at the Ticket Hall on Level 2 or Short-Term Garage P1 on Level 1.
- Evergreen Inn & Suites Portland Airport: About 8 minutes by car from PDX.
Choosing a route from PDX
The MAX Red Line is the direct public-transit option from PDX to Portland City Center, and taxis, rideshares and rental cars are available for road travel. Choose based on where you are headed, your arrival time and whether you want to continue beyond central Portland.
The Red Line also serves East and Northeast Portland, Beaverton and Hillsboro, so it can work for destinations beyond downtown. For road travel, the airport’s pickup areas are divided by service: taxis use designated locations, while rideshares collect from the Transportation Plaza.
Evergreen Inn is about 8 minutes by car from PDX, compared with about 84 minutes on foot. If you are connecting to another airport, Portland Troutdale Airport is about 21 minutes by car from the inn, and Portland Hillsboro Airport is about 37 minutes.
Taking MAX into central Portland
The MAX Red Line takes about 39–40 minutes between PDX and downtown Portland, and runs every 15 minutes or less most of the day. TriMet’s two published trip estimates differ slightly, so allow about 40 minutes for the ride.
At PDX, find the MAX station and Hop card machines near baggage claim on Level 1. The adult fare for ages 18–64 is $2.80; the fare for Honored Citizens and Youth is $1.40.
TriMet says schedules can change without notice and directs passengers to check service alerts and real-time arrivals. Fares and service details can also change, so check the official site before you go.
To understand how the train fits with other local services, Portland public transport for visitors covers the wider network.
Taxi and rideshare options
Taxis and rideshares pick up at different locations at PDX, so follow the airport’s signs for the service you choose. Taxi pickup is at the Ticket Hall on Level 2 or Short-Term Garage P1 on Level 1.
For Uber or Lyft, request a ride in the relevant app, then follow signs to the Transportation Plaza on Level 1 of the Short-Term Parking garage. PDX also identifies Wingz as a rideshare provider with pickup in the Transportation Plaza.
These are road-based options between the airport and your destination. Check the provider’s app or the airport’s ground-transportation information for current arrangements before setting out.
Driving and airport-area stays
Rental cars are available at PDX, with the Rental Car Center on Level 1. Several companies operate at the airport, and rental-car return locations are in Long-Term Garage P3.
PDX’s airport map places Zipcar pickup in Long-Term Garage P3, Level 3; its return location is there as well. Thrifty’s return is on Level 2 of the same garage.
If you use a TriMet Park & Ride lot, note that the parking limit is 24 hours; TriMet advises people taking longer trips to get dropped off at a MAX station.
From Evergreen Inn, Portland city centre is about 13 minutes by car. Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center is about 20 minutes on foot or 11 minutes by car, while Gateway North is about 44 minutes on foot or 10 minutes by car.
For a day that starts at the airport area and continues into the city, a one-day Portland route from the airport area connects the two parts of the trip.
Planning around arrival time
MAX runs every 15 minutes or less most of the day, every day, but late arrivals should check the live schedule before choosing it. Service alerts and real-time arrivals help confirm the next train and any changes to service.
If you are driving, renting a car or using a rideshare, follow the signs for the matching pickup or rental area rather than heading to the MAX station. At PDX, taxis, rideshares and rental cars each have designated locations.
FAQs
How long does the MAX take from PDX to downtown Portland?
TriMet gives the trip as about 39–40 minutes. The Red Line runs every 15 minutes or less most of the day.
Where do you catch the MAX at Portland International Airport?
The MAX Red Line station is near baggage claim on Level 1, where Hop card machines are also located.
Where do rideshares pick up at PDX?
Uber, Lyft and Wingz use the Transportation Plaza on Level 1 of the Short-Term Parking garage. Uber and Lyft passengers should request a ride through the relevant app and follow airport signs.
Where can you pick up a taxi at PDX?
Taxi pickup is at the Ticket Hall on Level 2 or Short-Term Garage P1 on Level 1.