Streetcar vs. Driving vs. TriMet in Portland

Portland Streetcar vs. Driving vs. TriMet: Which Is Right for Your Trip?

For trips within downtown, the Pearl District, and South Waterfront, the Portland Streetcar costs $2.00 for a 2.5-hour ticket and stops near major destinations, with no parking to find. A downtown SmartPark garage charges $2.35 an hour on weekdays, or $13–$18 for the day. A TriMet fare also works on the Streetcar, so one ticket covers bus, MAX, and streetcar.

 

Portland Streetcar vs. TriMet vs. driving downtown: at a glance

Portland Streetcar TriMet bus and MAX Driving downtown
One trip $2.00 (streetcar-only, 2.5 hours) $2.80 (adult, 2.5 hours); also valid on the Streetcar SmartPark garage: $2.35 per hour (weekdays, first four hours)
Reduced fare (Honored Citizen, youth) $1.00 $1.40 n/a
Full day Not listed on the fare page; kids 6 and under ride free Adults capped at $5.60 per day when paying by phone or contactless card Garage day rate: $13–$18 on weekdays, $7 on weekends
Monthly $40 pass ($20 reduced) Adults capped at $100 per calendar month when paying by phone or contactless card SmartPark monthly pass: from $246 (Naito & Davis) to $287.75 (1st & Jefferson)
Where it goes Central city: the NS Line (NW 23rd to the South Waterfront) and the A and B Loops (Pearl District, Broadway Bridge, Lloyd, OMSI, Tilikum Crossing, PSU) Regional bus and MAX light rail network Anywhere the roads go
How you pay Tap a Hop card, Apple Pay or Google Wallet, or a debit or credit card on the green Hop validator Same Garage or meter

Is it faster and cheaper to drive or take the streetcar to downtown Portland?

Cheaper, in most cases. A streetcar-only ticket is $2.00 for 2.5 hours ($1.00 reduced fare), while a downtown SmartPark garage charges $2.35 an hour on weekdays and $13–$18 for a full day, before gas. Which is faster depends on the trip. [CLIENT INPUT NEEDED: add 2–3 representative streetcar trip times from the schedule, such as NW 23rd to PSU or Pearl District to South Waterfront.] The Streetcar also removes the time spent finding and walking from parking.

Is the Portland Streetcar or TriMet MAX better for commuting downtown?

They cover different distances. The Streetcar runs closely spaced stops through the central city, on the NS Line between NW 23rd and the South Waterfront and on the A and B Loops across the Broadway Bridge and Tilikum Crossing. MAX is TriMet's regional light rail network. For a commute that stays in the central city, the Streetcar's stop spacing is usually the better fit; for longer regional trips, MAX is the better choice. A TriMet fare covers both.

What's the difference between the Portland Streetcar and TriMet buses?

The Portland Streetcar is rail service on a fixed route within the central city, run in partnership by the City of Portland, TriMet, and Portland Streetcar, Inc. TriMet buses cover the wider Portland region. A TriMet fare is valid on the Streetcar at no additional charge. The Streetcar's fare page does not say a streetcar-only ticket is valid on TriMet, so riders who plan to transfer should buy a TriMet fare. [CLIENT INPUT NEEDED: confirm whether a streetcar-only ticket is accepted on TriMet.]

Should I rent a car or use public transit to explore Portland?

For a visit focused on downtown, the Pearl District, and the waterfront, transit covers the main areas without garage fees. Adults paying by phone or contactless card never pay more than $5.60 a day on TriMet, and that fare also covers the Streetcar, compared with $13–$18 for a weekday in a downtown garage. A rental car makes more sense for places that are hard to reach by transit, such as the Columbia River Gorge or Willamette Valley wine country.
 

How much does it cost to ride the Portland Streetcar?

A streetcar-only ticket is $2.00 for 2.5 hours, or $1.00 for Honored Citizen and youth fares. Kids 6 and under ride free. TriMet's adult fare is $2.80 for 2.5 hours and is also valid on the Streetcar.
 

Is there a monthly pass for the Portland Streetcar?

Yes. A streetcar-only monthly pass is $40 ($20 reduced fare), and an annual pass is $440 ($220 reduced fare). [CLIENT INPUT NEEDED: confirm where riders buy the monthly and annual passes.]
 

How do I pay for the Portland Streetcar?

Tap a Hop card, Apple Pay or Google Wallet, or a debit or credit card on the green Hop validator when you board. Keep your fare available to show Streetcar staff if asked.
 

What are the Portland Streetcar's hours?

The Streetcar runs seven days a week, and live arrival times are accurate to within 2 minutes. [CLIENT INPUT NEEDED: confirm current first and last departures and frequency by line.]
 

Is the Portland Streetcar wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Every streetcar has a ramp in its low-floor section for wheelchair and mobility-device boarding, and readerboards and audio announcements show the next stop. [CLIENT INPUT NEEDED: confirm whether every stop is accessible, or list any exceptions.]