Portland public transport centers on TriMet’s MAX light rail and bus network, connecting Portland City Center with the airport and communities across the metro area. For trips from the airport area, Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center links the MAX Red Line with several bus routes, while fare caps can help you manage what you spend.
- MAX has five lines: Blue, Green, Orange, Red and Yellow.
- The Red Line connects Portland International Airport with Portland City Center and other parts of the region.
- Adult TriMet fares include a $2.80 fare for 2½ hours and a $5.60 Day Pass fare cap.
Portland’s MAX light rail network
MAX light rail connects Portland City Center with the airport and communities including Beaverton, Clackamas, Gresham, Hillsboro and Milwaukie. The five lines—Blue, Green, Orange, Red and Yellow—serve different parts of the metro area.
The Blue Line runs between Hillsboro, Portland City Center and Gresham. The Green Line connects Clackamas and Gateway, while the Orange Line connects Milwaukie and Portland City Center. The Yellow Line serves Expo Center, Portland City Center and PSU. The Red Line serves the airport, Portland City Center and Hillsboro.
MAX trains run every 15 minutes or less for most of the day, every day. Late-night and early-morning MAX service is provided by buses, so check TriMet’s official site before you go if your trip falls outside regular train service.
TriMet buses and transfers
TriMet buses connect with MAX and provide another way to get around Portland. You can transfer between TriMet services using a paid fare; transferring to a service with the same or lower fare costs no extra charge, while a higher-priced service requires you to pay the difference.
All TriMet buses, trains, transit centers and stations are accessible to people using mobility devices. Buses have a boarding ramp or power lift, and MAX trains have low floors and station-platform boarding. Priority seating by the doors is available for seniors and riders with limited mobility, with space for mobility devices as well.
You can bring a bicycle on MAX if there is room, placing it in the rack inside the door marked with a bicycle symbol. That can be useful when a trip combines rail with cycling, but space on the train is required.
Fares and passes
TriMet uses the same fare for buses, MAX light rail and WES Commuter Rail. An adult fare for ages 18–64 is $2.80 for 2½ hours, and the fare cap reaches the $5.60 Day Pass amount after you spend that much in a day. The calendar-month fare cap is $100.
You can pay the adult fare by tapping a phone or contactless credit or debit card on a green Hop reader. A paid Hop Fastpass fare also allows transfers to services with the same or lower fare at no extra charge; pay the difference when transferring to a higher-priced service.
Youth fares are $1.40 for 2½ hours, with a $2.80 Day Pass and a $28 calendar-month fare cap. They apply to riders ages 7–17 and students in high school or pursuing a GED.
Honored Citizen fares are also $1.40 for 2½ hours, with a $2.80 Day Pass and a $28 monthly cap. Eligibility includes seniors age 65 and older, people on Medicare, people with disabilities, people who qualify based on income, and veterans and active-duty military.
Children age 6 and under ride free with a paying passenger. Fares and fare rules can change, so check TriMet’s official site before you go.
How do you connect to Portland transit from the airport area?
Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center connects the airport area with MAX and multiple bus routes. It is at 9481 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, and its MAX station is across the “Fish/Bird” bridge in the I-205 median.
The center connects with the MAX Red Line and TriMet bus routes 12-Barbur/Sandy Blvd, 21-Sandy Blvd/223rd, 71-60th Ave, 73-122nd Ave, 87-Airport Way/181st and 292-Red Bus. Its other listed connections include C-TRAN 65-Parkrose Express, Multnomah County’s ACCESS Shuttle and the Forest & Washington Park Express Shuttle.
The center has a ticket vending machine that accepts credit and debit cards, accessible facilities for people using mobility devices, bike lockers and racks, and 15-minute Quick Drop parking spaces. A Park & Ride has 193 spaces, is open every day and has a 24-hour parking limit.
The MAX Red Line connects Portland International Airport with East and Northeast Portland, Portland City Center, Beaverton and Hillsboro. Its trip between the airport and downtown Portland takes about 40 minutes. For more about reaching the airport area, the Portland International Airport to Downtown and the Airport Area guide covers that connection.
When driving may be more practical
If you plan to use transit, Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center is about a 20-minute walk from the hotel, and it also has a Park & Ride.
For a day organized around city sights, the one-day Portland city route from the airport area offers a related itinerary. Compare the places you plan to visit with the MAX lines and bus connections to decide whether transit or a car better fits your route.
FAQs
Does MAX go to Portland International Airport?
Yes. The MAX Red Line connects Portland International Airport with Portland City Center and other parts of the region.
How often does MAX run?
MAX trains run every 15 minutes or less for most of the day, every day. Late-night and early-morning service is provided by buses.
Can you transfer between TriMet buses and MAX?
Yes. With a paid Hop Fastpass fare, you can transfer to a service with the same or lower fare at no extra charge; a higher-priced service requires paying the difference.
Are TriMet buses and MAX accessible?
TriMet buses, trains, transit centers and stations are accessible to people using mobility devices. Buses have a boarding ramp or power lift, and MAX trains have low floors and station-platform boarding.