How To Get Around Portland to Explore Everything It Has to Offer

It’s no surprise that the city of Portland is becoming increasingly popular. With its attractive scenery, vibrant culture, and diverse attractions, it’s the perfect place to explore! But if you are looking to explore all that Portland has to offer, it is important to know how to get around the city. Luckily, you have many options! Below is a comprehensive guide that covers the different ways to get around Portland, Oregon.

Public Transportation

Public transportation is one of the most economical ways to get around Portland. There are a few services to choose from – most notably, TriMet, Ride Connection, and Portland’s Streetcar system.

TriMet is an extensive public transportation system. It includes Max light rail, bus lines, and streetcar lines. In addition to offering access to many points in Portland, it also serves the nearby cities of Beaverton and Gresham.

Tickets and passes are available for purchase through TriMet’s website (trimet.org) or via its mobile app. There are discount fares for seniors, students, and riders under 19 years of age. Passes are also available for purchase in person at Portland International Airport and at select stores throughout the city. Ride Connection works in partnership with TriMet to provide a shared-ride service to anyone over 18 who has disabilities or has difficulty using regular public transportation due to age or health conditions. They offer door-to-door rides and group trips with advanced reservations. Tickets and passes can be purchased directly through Ride Connection. Portland Streetcar is another excellent option for transportation around downtown Portland and surrounding neighborhoods. The streetcar operates seven days a week, runs until 11 PM every night, and charges a fare of $2.50 per trip or $12 for a day pass. Tickets and passes can be purchased directly from the streetcar systems or at participating stores.

Bicycles

Biking is another popular way to get around Portland! You can explore the city with your own bike or rent one from any number of bike-share services or bike rental shops. The city offers a bike-share program with hundreds of stations throughout the city where you can rent a bike for a day or a month. The BIKETOWN app (biketownpdx.com/beta3) makes it easy to find available bicycles and navigate your way around town. You can purchase tickets and passes through the app or through the city’s online store. There are also numerous bike rental shops around town where you can rent bikes for longer periods of time and take your own path around the city. The bicycle rental shops usually offer daily, weekly, and seasonal rentals. They also provide routes and tips so you can make the most of biking around Portland!

Taxis & Ride Services

It is also possible to hail or call a taxi or use a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft to get around town. Taxis and ride-sharing services can be quite convenient — though it is important to note that rates may vary by company and time of day. Rideshare costs often depend on the number of passengers in the car, traffic conditions, distance traveled and other factors — so it’s important to compare prices and consider whether it is more cost-effective than public transportation or biking. You can book taxis or rideshares directly from their respective websites or via their apps.

Walking & Sightseeing Tours

Another great way to get around Portland is simply by walking! Portland’s pedestrian-friendly streets are easy to navigate and provide access to a variety of sights. Plus, walking gives you more opportunity to explore all that the city has to offer — from visiting unique shops, cafes and restaurants to exploring the vibrant neighborhoods. If you are looking for an even more immersive experience, there are many sightseeing tours around the city that will provide an in-depth look at the city’s architecture, culture, history, and cuisine. With tours ranging from traditional walking tours of downtown Portland to food tours that focus on delicious local cuisine, there is sure to be something for everyone! You can book sightseeing tours directly through the websites of tour operators such as HangoutPDX or through tour-booking websites such as Vayable (vayable.com)

Conclusion

From public transportation to bikes, taxis, and sightseeing tours, there are plenty of great options for getting around Portland! You can choose from economical methods such as walking or public transportation or more luxurious means such as taxis or rideshares – and no matter what you choose, there’s an option for everyone’s budget and preferences. I personally love exploring Portland on foot or by bike – it’s a great way to slow down and really experience the city!