Cheap flights to Portland
Set your departure airport and maximum budget: SniperAir tracks prices to Portland and alerts you the moment a deal matching your criteria appears.
Quick summary
Country
United States
Continent
North America
Airport
PDX
Currency
US dollar (USD)
Time zone
UTC-8 in winter, UTC-7 in summer (daylight saving time)
Deals already spotted to Portland
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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Airport and getting into town
Portland International, linked to downtown by MAX light rail
Portland International Airport (PDX)
PDX lies about 14 km (9 miles) northeast of downtown, close to the Columbia River according to Wikivoyage (EN). The MAX Red Line light rail leaves from the south end of the terminal and reaches downtown in about 30 minutes (Wikivoyage EN, FR); Wikivoyage (DE) gives about 40 minutes to Pioneer Square. Taxis, ride-hailing and rental cars complete the options. Amtrak trains stop at Union Station, about a 15-minute walk from most of downtown (Wikivoyage EN).
Distances and times are approximate, based on Wikivoyage, Wikipedia and official sites; timetables change, so check them before you travel. We do not quote fares.
Portland is Oregon's most populous city, with 652,503 residents at the 2020 census and over 2.5 million in the metro area (Wikipedia EN). It sits on both banks of the Willamette River, about 12 miles (19 km) south of its confluence with the Columbia and some 70 miles (125 km) from the Pacific coast (Wikivoyage FR). Wikivoyage (EN) describes it as the largest city between San Francisco and Seattle, with a more laid-back, small-city feel.
Landmarks
Mount Hood views, Willamette bridges and rose gardens
Portland has been called the City of Roses for more than a century, thanks to a climate that suits rose-growing (Wikipedia EN). The places below are illustrated; Washington Park, Forest Park and the Pearl District are described in text.
Downtown and Mount Hood
Mount Hood, a dormant but potentially active volcano, rises east of Portland and is visible from much of the city on a clear day (Wikipedia FR, Wikivoyage EN). Sources disagree on the distance: about 50 miles (80 km) in Wikivoyage (FR), about 100 km in Wikivoyage (DE). At dusk the downtown lights stand out against its silhouette.
The Willamette waterfront
The Willamette flows north through downtown and divides the east side from the west (Wikipedia EN). Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 37 acres (15 ha) along the west bank, hosts the big city events (Wikipedia EN, Wikivoyage EN). Downtown towers rise above the water, with steel bridges in the background.
Bridgetown's bridges
Portland has been nicknamed Bridgetown for decades (Wikipedia EN, ES). Several downtown bridges are over a hundred years old, among them the Burnside Bridge and the Ross Island Bridge, both built in 1926 (Wikipedia EN, DE). Wikivoyage (EN) even suggests crossing all twelve of the Willamette bridges.
The Japanese Garden in Washington Park
The Japanese Garden covers about 22,000 sq m in Washington Park, alongside the zoo, the Hoyt Arboretum and the rose garden (Wikipedia DE, FR). A raked sand and stone garden among tall conifers invites quiet. The picture shows this kind of dry garden, which illustrates the park's Japanese tradition.
Forest Park, Washington Park, Pittock Mansion and the Pearl District
Forest Park and Washington Park, in the West Hills, offer trees, trails and wildlife close to downtown (Wikivoyage EN). Pittock Mansion, an early 20th-century villa open to visitors, overlooks the city (Wikipedia DE); Wikivoyage (DE) mentions a viewpoint where Mount Hood can be seen in good weather. The Pearl District, a former warehouse area turned trendy, has galleries that open on the first Thursday of the month and the famous Powell's bookstore (Wikivoyage EN).
Museums and culture
Portland Art Museum, OMSI, Oregon Historical Society and Pittock Mansion
Portland Art Museum
Founded in 1892, it is the oldest art museum on the West Coast and the seventh oldest in the United States according to Wikipedia (FR, ES). Its permanent collection is above 40,000 works depending on the source, and there is usually at least one major touring exhibition. We do not quote admission prices.
OMSI and science
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry covers natural science, technology and industry, with five halls, a planetarium, an IMAX theatre and, according to Wikipedia (EN, ES), a submarine you can visit. It is a popular family outing on rainy days.
History and curiosities
The Oregon Historical Society holds the Portland Penny, the coin used in the toss that named the city (Wikipedia EN). The Oregon Jewish Museum (Wikipedia FR), the children's museum and the Peculiarium, devoted to odd objects (Wikipedia ES), round out the list. Neon-lit theatres are a sight in themselves (Wikipedia ES).
Food and drink
Food carts, farmers markets and the craft beer capital
Food carts and restaurants
Food carts, mobile kitchens set up on squares and car parks, serve a varied and affordable cuisine according to Wikivoyage (EN, DE). The city is known for restaurants built around local, seasonal produce from one of the most fertile farming regions in the country (Wikivoyage EN).
Beer and coffee
Portland is often called the microbrewery capital of the world (Wikipedia FR, Wikivoyage EN); the trend began in 1985, when Oregon allowed bars to sell their own beer (Wikipedia ES). Sources disagree on the exact number of breweries, so we do not publish one. About a hundred independent roasters supply the coffee shops (Wikipedia FR).
Markets and fountains
Some twenty farmers markets liven up the city (Wikipedia FR), including the Saturday market at Portland State University (Wikivoyage EN). The Benson Bubblers, copper drinking fountains installed in the 1910s, give free water in the middle of downtown (Wikivoyage EN).
Getting around
MAX light rail, streetcar and bikes: a city where a car is optional
MAX, buses and streetcar
The MAX has five lines and nearly 100 km of network according to Wikivoyage (DE); it is complemented by TriMet buses and the Portland Streetcar. One fare works on buses and rail, and a contactless card called Hop can be used to pay (Wikivoyage EN). We do not publish fares, because the sources are several years old.
On foot and by bike
Portland is easy to explore on foot and by bike (Wikivoyage EN). Numbered streets run north to south, named streets run east to west, and the city is split into six sectors around the Willamette and Burnside Street. The Biketown bike-share serves the centre.
Rental car
Without a car you can still explore Portland and the Columbia River Gorge using public transport and seasonal shuttles (Wikivoyage EN). For Mount Hood and the coast, a rental car is more practical; I-84 leads to the Gorge and US-26 to the coast.
Budget and precautions
A high cost of living, but inexpensive pleasures
Price level
Wikivoyage (EN, FR) notes a high cost of living relative to local wages, so expect a mid-to-high price level for visitors. Food carts, markets and free parks help keep the bill down. We do not publish figures: the sources are dated or disagree.
Flights and alerts
SniperAir tracks flight prices to PDX and compares them with the route's history, but it does not sell or book tickets. Several airlines serve Portland, one of them with a hub there according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Safety
The city is generally safe for tourists, but property crime is high (Wikivoyage EN): never leave anything visible in a car. Old Town and Chinatown are best avoided at night apart from well-lit stations, and homelessness is visible across downtown (Wikivoyage EN). Visitors from abroad should check the US entry requirements for their nationality.
When to go
Mild dry summers, cool rainy winters
Winter (December to February)
Cool, cloudy and rainy: the average December high is about 8 °C (46.9 °F, Wikipedia EN) and snow is rare, around 11 cm (4.3 in) a year according to Wikipedia (EN).
Spring (March to May)
Changeable weather with showers and sunny spells; parks and rose bushes get ready for the flower season (Wikipedia EN).
Summer (June to August)
Warm and dry: August averages under 22 °C (72 °F) but heat waves can exceed 38 °C (100 °F) according to Wikipedia (FR). The Rose Festival is held in early June (Wikivoyage EN). All-time record: 47 °C (116 °F) on 28 June 2021.
Autumn (September to November)
Rain returns gradually; long overcast stretches set in from mid-fall to mid-spring according to Wikipedia (EN).
Portland has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Csb) according to Wikipedia (EN, FR), with cool, very wet winters. Wikipedia (EN) counts 157 days a year with measurable precipitation, often as drizzle, and Wikipedia (DE) around 1,075 mm of rain a year, mostly from November to January. The best time for the city runs from June to September.
By length of stay
What to do in Portland depending on your length of stay
The essentials
Downtown and the waterfront, Powell's, the Pearl District, a walk through Washington Park and its Japanese Garden.
Museums and neighbourhoods
The Portland Art Museum, OMSI, Pittock Mansion, food carts and a craft brewery.
Day trips
The Columbia River Gorge to the east (about 25 miles, 40 km), Mount Hood or the Oregon coast, preferably with a rental car.
In pictures
Portland in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Portland
How do I get from Portland airport to downtown?
PDX is about 14 km (9 miles) from downtown. The MAX Red Line reaches the centre in 30 to 40 minutes depending on the source; taxis and ride-hailing are other options. Check timetables before you travel.
When is the best time to visit Portland?
June to September for warm, dry weather, with the Rose Festival in early June. Winters are cool and rainy.
Do I need a rental car in Portland?
Not for the city, which is well served by the MAX, buses, the streetcar and bikes. For Mount Hood and the coast, a car is preferable.
Is Portland expensive?
The cost of living is high relative to local wages. We do not publish figures, because the sources are dated or disagree.
Can you see Mount Hood from Portland?
Yes, on a clear day, from much of the city. The volcano is 80 to 100 km away depending on the source and can be reached by car.
What should I eat and drink in Portland?
Food carts, seasonal produce and craft beer, a symbol of the city since 1985.
How much does a flight to Portland usually cost?
The price depends mainly on your departure city, the time of year and how far ahead you book. The "opportunities" section above shows real examples of prices SniperAir has already detected to this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Portland drops below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, Portland as the destination and your maximum budget. You are notified automatically as soon as a matching price is detected.
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