By Bus in Portland

Greyhound is a good way to get between destinations in Oregon for a reasonable price if you don't have a car at your disposal. Portland is the main hub for nearly all routes in the state, making it the most practical starting and ending point for most bus excursions. Keep in mind that many small towns in Oregon may not be regularly accessible by bus and that there may be no public transportation or car-rental locations in many towns you visit. Buses arrive at and depart from the Greyhound terminal next to the Amtrak station in Old Town.

Getting Around

Tri-Met operates an extensive system of buses, streetcars, and light-rail trains. The Central City streetcar line runs between Legacy Good Samaritan hospital in Nob Hill, the Pearl District, downtown, and Portland State University. To Nob Hill it travels along 10th Avenue and then on Northwest Northrup; from Nob Hill it runs along Northwest Lovejoy and then on 11th Avenue. Trains stop every few blocks. MAX light-rail trains run between downtown, the airport, and the western and eastern suburbs and stop at the zoo, the Rose Garden arena, PGE Park, and Lloyd Center.

A 5½-mi extension of the MAX light-rail system runs from the Gateway Transit Center (at the intersection of I-84 and I-205) directly to and from the airport. Trains arrive at and depart from inside the passenger terminal near the south baggage-claim area. The trip takes about 35 minutes from downtown. Tri-Met Bus 12, which runs about every 15 minutes, also serves the airport. The fare to or from the airport on MAX or the bus is $1.65.

Bus, MAX, and streetcar fare is $1.65 for one or two zones, which covers most places you will have cause to go, and $1.95 for three zones, which includes all of the outlying areas of the city. Ask the driver if you are uncertain whether you are traveling within Zones 1 and 2. A "fareless square" extends from downtown all the way to the Lloyd Center on the east side. If you are riding only within this area, your ride is free; just say "fareless" as you board the bus, and be sure to get off before you pass into a fare zone; drivers really do take note of who is riding for free, and may ask you to get off the bus. Day passes for unlimited system-wide travel cost $4. Three-day and monthly passes are available. As you board the bus, the driver will hand you a transfer ticket that is good for one to two hours, depending on the time of day, on all buses and MAX trains. Be sure to hold on to it whether you are transferring or not; it also serves as proof that you have paid for your ride. MAX trains run every 10 minutes Monday-Saturday before 8 PM and every 15 minutes after 8 PM and all day Sunday and holidays. Buses can operate as frequently as every five minutes or once an hour. Bikes are allowed on designated areas of MAX trains, and there are bike racks on the front of all buses that everyone is free to use.

Contacts

Greyhound Terminal (550 N.W. 6th Ave., Old Town. 503/243-2310; 800/231-2222; 503/243-2337 baggage; 503/243-2361 customer service). Tri-Met/MAX (6th Ave. and Morrison St., Downtown. 503/238-7433. www.trimet.org).