Pacific Northwest - trip by amtrak from Tacoma to Portland

My wife and I are talking about riding the Amtrak to Portland from Tacoma. Now we did the trip a few years ago for the day during Christmas to do some shopping and I really didn't think about biking there. We want to take our bikes and ride around town and stay for a night or two. I hear all the stories about Portland being so bike friendly and want to know is all that true? What can we expect as far as bike lanes in town and places to lock our bikes while we are shopping. What would be a nice day ride say 30 miles or so for us to take and I guess lastly is how bike friendly is Amtrak? This subject just came to us today and we are pretty pumped about it. Any advice and experiences are greatly appreciated.

Portland rocks. If I didn't love my job so much, I'd move there in a heart-beat.

You have to get on a train that accepts bikes. Not all trains accept bicycles. I dont' think you'll have a problem in Tacoma, but, it's definitely true for Olympia. (I work in Seattle, so, I am able to take the train to/from Seattle.)

The issue is, at smaller stations, there are no staff to unload bikes, and according to one employee some conductors are simply not sympathetic at all (to bicycles, and won't let the passenger take the bike off the train [not sure how---not allow the door to be opened?]), whereas others aren't so bad. Problem is, which train has the sympathetic conductor?

When you make a reservation, there's a button that says "View Upgrade Options". Click it, and it will take you to a page where you can add the fee ($5) for a bike. If that option isn't there, they are either sold-out on bike space, or, it doesn't take bikes.

I've taken the train before, and, it's great. I put my bike in the baggage car, and kept my panniers+ helmet with me. I think there might be an issue with recumbents---because they are so long. The topic has come up before; I'm not remembering exactly where. If you ride a recumbent, then search this thread and if it's not here, try the Touring subforum.

There are many options for hotels that are within riding distance of the Amtrak station. Even the Lloyd Center area is do-able; if you aren't sure about which bridge/roads to take, you can ride the Max to one of the two stops within the Lloyd Center area.

As for riding, you can get around Portland easily. I'll let the Portlanders give you details. Beware of streetcar and MAX tracks, though.

Help me out folks. I can't believe all the Portlanders are silent on this.

I'm not in Portland, but I can tell you that you want the Amtrak Cascades train to and from Portland. This train has bike racks, but you'll need a bike ticket as Flowerblossom states above. Her post has everything you need.

My wife and I are talking about riding the Amtrak to Portland from Tacoma. Now we did the trip a few years ago for the day during Christmas to do some shopping and I really didn't think about biking there. We want to take our bikes and ride around town and stay for a night or two. I hear all the stories about Portland being so bike friendly and want to know is all that true? What can we expect as far as bike lanes in town and places to lock our bikes while we are shopping. What would be a nice day ride say 30 miles or so for us to take and I guess lastly is how bike friendly is Amtrak? This subject just came to us today and we are pretty pumped about it. Any advice and experiences are greatly appreciated.
Yes, it really is that bike friendly. :)

As to the train, you should call Amtrak for your reservations and make reservations on the Cascades for 2 people and 2 bikes. It's very important you get reserved space for your bikes both ways or they'll make you box it up.

You can order bike-specific maps here (http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?c=46382). If you call the number at the bottom of the page, you can speak to someone if you want some specific advice. The city is very excited to get bike tourism and would like more. Please, please bring good U-locks. It would be heartbreaking to hear that something happened to your bikes.

Finally, PM me when you know when you're going. It would be fun to meet you both for lunch or something. :) Also, feel free to ask about more specifics...

My wife and I are talking about riding the Amtrak to Portland from Tacoma. Now we did the trip a few years ago for the day during Christmas to do some shopping and I really didn't think about biking there. We want to take our bikes and ride around town and stay for a night or two. I hear all the stories about Portland being so bike friendly and want to know is all that true? What can we expect as far as bike lanes in town and places to lock our bikes while we are shopping. What would be a nice day ride say 30 miles or so for us to take and I guess lastly is how bike friendly is Amtrak? This subject just came to us today and we are pretty pumped about it. Any advice and experiences are greatly appreciated.


Hi there, the Amtrak will accept bikes from Tacoma to Pdx. Just pay a little extra for your bike and the nice thing is that you don't have to dismantle it! The Amtrak station is in the heart of downtown and from there your biking adventure is absolutely limitless! When you arrive, stop by your local bike shop (there's an REI just 10 blocks west in the Pearl District and pick up a Bike map. The staff there can also tell you the best places to ride.

Bike lanes around portland is limitless! the map will show you or just follow the other cyclist.

Where to ride? 30 miles? I love to do the skyline ride that takes you from downtown portland up through the pearl district in NW Portland. Its a nice climb with little traffic. From there you connect with Skyline which will give you panoramic views of Hood, Beaverton, Hillsboro. Very nice. The skyline rd heads north with great views of everthing and then take the Germantown Rd down to Hwy 30, then Hwy 30 back to Portland. There are so many more rides for me to list but that is one of my favorite.

Where to stay? Stay downtown or in the Pearl District. The Pearl is artsy fartsy and has nice pubs, restaurants, art galleries, etc. Check out the Marriott Downtown (great views), Hilton, Heathman, endless!

Your local bike shop? Rivercity Bike shop is the best. REI is good too. Lots of local bike shops to help.

Where to get some good beers? Whoa....this list might be pretty damn long. Deschutes brewery in the Pearl District, McMenamins, Lucky Lab, you gotta come up for the Oregon Brewfest July 24-27. People from around the globe come to sample and there are some sick brews. You'll love it.

Hope that will get you started!

See you here!

Wow thanks a lot. I ordered some of the maps that are available on the Portland transit site. Very cool so much more bicycle oriented than Seattle or Tacoma or heck even our dumpy little town. Thanks for the info

Stringbreaker, if you do this please leave some feedback here on the forum. Sounds like a great Idea. I wonder if Amtrack has room for a Tandem. We did a walking weekend around PDX last fall and it was a great time.

Stringbreaker, if you do this please leave some feedback here on the forum. Sounds like a great Idea. I wonder if Amtrack has room for a Tandem. We did a walking weekend around PDX last fall and it was a great time.

If I recall the Amtrak site state no recumbent or tandem except as check baggage and then they have to boxed for shipping. Not sure but I would check their site and see if I were you. Will post if we do this

I believe the racks on the Cascades trains will only accept "standard" bikes. :(