Portland Getting there & around

Getting around

Public transport

Public transportation

Local buses and the MAX light-rail system are run by Tri-Met, which has an information center (503-238-7433; www.trimet.org; 8:30am-5:30pm Mon-Fri) at Pioneer Courthouse Sq. A streetcar runs from Portland State University, south of downtown, through the Pearl District to NW 23rd Ave. Within the downtown core, public transportation is free; outside downtown, fares run $1.70 to $2. If you’re a night owl, be aware that buses and light-rail both stop running at 1:30am.

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Car & motorcycle

Major car-rental agencies have outlets at PDX airport and around town. Oregon law prohibits you from pumping your own gas. Most of downtown is metered parking; a free option is to park along an inner-Southeast street and walk across a bridge to the city center. If you use a SmartPark garage ($1.25 per hour), remember to move your car after four hours (even if just around the block and back in) or your costs will double.

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Local transport

Taxi

Cabs are available 24 hours by phone. Downtown, you can often just flag them down.

Broadway Cab (503-227-1234)

Radio Cab (503-227-1212)

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Bicycle

It’s easy to get around Portland on a bicycle. Rent bikes from Citybikes Annex (503-239-6951; www.citybikes.coop; 734 SE Ankeny), Fat Tire Farm (503-222-3276; 2714 NW Thurman St) or Waterfront Bicycle & Skate Rentals (503-227-1719; 315 SW Montgomery St).

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