Bus from Seattle-Tacoma Airport to Portland

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the main international gateway for the Pacific Northwest, handling over 52 million passengers a year. Thirty-seven airlines operate from the single terminal, including Alaska Airlines, Delta, United, American, and international services. Most long-haul flights arrive at the South Satellite, where international arrivals clear customs before connecting onward.

Once you have cleared arrivals and collected your bags, one of the questions many travellers face is how to cover the 170 miles south to Portland. FlixBus runs directly from the airport kerb to downtown Portland, with no transfer needed and no station to navigate.

Journey time is around three hours in normal traffic. That is comparable to driving if I-5 is flowing, and considerably more relaxed. You can sit back, use the onboard Wi-Fi, and arrive in the Pearl District ready to go rather than having negotiated Portland's one-way streets looking for a parking structure.

Finding your stop at SEA-TAC

The FlixBus stop is outside Door 2 on the arrivals level in the Main Terminal, at the south end of the baggage claim level.

After collecting your bags, head out through the automatic doors toward Door 2 and the stop is at the kerb. If you exit at Door 1 or 3, walk south along the pavement for a short distance.

Tickets are bought online. Have your booking confirmation ready on your phone when boarding.

The journey to Portland

The bus follows Interstate 5 south the entire way, through the southern suburbs of Seattle and Tacoma before crossing into Oregon. The ride typically takes around three hours to Portland Union Station. Seats are allocated and the bus is fitted with power outlets and free Wi-Fi.

Arriving in Portland

The FlixBus stop in Portland is at 1090 NW Station Way, a curbside bay just north of Portland Union Station on the far side of Broadway Bridge. It is a short walk from the station building, which has lockers, toilets, and a waiting area for onward connections.

Getting around Portland

Portland's public transport is run by TriMet. Platforms for MAX Light Rail sit just south of Union Station along NW 5th and 6th avenues, a short walk from the arrival stop.

• MAX Light Rail: the Green, Yellow, and Orange lines all stop at Union Station/NW 5th & Glisan St. The Green Line runs to Clackamas Town Center via the Lloyd District; the Yellow Line connects the Expo Center area and the Mississippi neighbourhood to the city centre; the Orange Line links Milwaukie and the inner eastside to downtown. All three run frequently throughout the day.
• Portland Streetcar: two loops (A Loop and NS Line) cover the Pearl District, the South Park Blocks, and the Central Eastside. Useful if you are staying anywhere between the Lloyd District and the South Waterfront.

Things to do in Portland

Moss-covered forest trails, serene Japanese gardens, hilltop views with Mt. Hood front and centre are just some of the many things to do in Portland after you get off the bus.

• Portland Japanese Garden: Eight distinct garden styles spread across 12 acres in Washington Park. The pavilion overlooks downtown Portland, and most people underestimate how long they'll want to stay. Give yourself at least two hours.
• International Rose Test Garden: Over 650 rose varieties, free entry, and panoramic views of downtown and Mt. Hood on a clear day. Peak bloom runs May through October; the Gold Medal Garden section is the one to find first.
• Pittock Mansion: A 1914 French Renaissance château sitting 1,000 feet above the city. The hilltop grounds are free to explore, and the viewpoint rivals anything you'll find on a formal tour. Built by the publisher of the Oregonian, Henry Pittock, the interior tells a genuinely odd story about early Portland.
• Lan Su Chinese Garden: Built by artisans from Suzhou in Portland's Old Town, this Ming-dynasty-style scholar garden has koi ponds, covered walkways, and a teahouse serving traditional gaiwan tea. Slow down and actually drink it.
• Forest Park: Over 5,000 acres and 80 miles of trails starting minutes from downtown. One of the largest urban forests in the US. You won't see another city skyline once you're in the trees — which is exactly the point.
• Multnomah Falls: Oregon's tallest waterfall at 620 feet, about 30 minutes east along the Columbia River Gorge. The hike to Benson Bridge is under half a mile return and puts you level with the falls. Go before 10 am to avoid crowds.
• Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI): Five floors of hands-on exhibits on the east bank of the Willamette River. The planetarium runs daily shows, and there's a decommissioned submarine docked outside that you can actually walk through.

Portland's food cart scene is worth a stop. The city has more food carts per capita than almost anywhere in the US, grouped into permanent pods. A large cluster sits on SW Alder Street near 9th Avenue in the downtown core, with others concentrated in the Hawthorne and Division Street areas on the east side.

Buses from SeaTac to Portland

Find the cheapest buses from SeaTac to Portland

It couldn't be easier to book your travel from SeaTac to Portland with FlixBus - and when you book in advance, you can save money too! Make your journey even easier with the FlixBus app. All your information will be saved for the next time you travel.

What to expect onboard the FlixBus bus from SeaTac to Portland

Traveling from SeaTac to Portland is stess-free, clean and comfortable - and it couldn't be easier to book a ticket. You can book online via the website, on our app, in person at a FlixShops or at resellers.
We accept card payment as well as Paypal, Google Pay and Apple Pay, but there are many more payment options that you can choose from. The easiest way to book your ticket is using our app. You'll be able to make your reservation within seconds and there's no need to print and carry the ticket with you, as your phone will be your ticket.

Want to sit beside family or friends or keep the space beside you free? Need easy access to the toilet or a table to get on with some work whilst traveling? You can reserve a seat when you book on the app or website, and you can choose from a variety of seat options. Once you're settled in your seat, you can sit back and relax with plenty of onboard services to help you make the most of your trip. Most of our buses have onboard Wifi so you can catch up on your favorite shows, chat with your friends or listen to music and podcasts. We've also got toilets onboard, as well as power outlets.
What's more, you get a generous luggage allowance when you travel with FlixBus with one carry-on bag and one checked bag, so you can bring everything you need for your trip.