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Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.
*this will be downloaded as a PDF.Price
€4,95
Frequently Asked Questions about Portland (FAQs)
The guide was updated:- Is Portland safe to visit?
Yes, Portland is still a safe city for visitors. However, remember that it is also the largest and most populous city in the state of Oregon, so always use common sense when visiting Portland. Do not leave your belongings unattended or visible in your vehicle, and make sure to lock your car doors and bikes.
- Is Portland worth visiting?
Yes, Portland is a great place to visit. The city offers an incredible array of restaurants, food trucks, microbreweries, strong coffee culture, as well as many green areas, miles of bike paths, a thriving art scene, and an eccentric character. The best part about Portland is that the city has no sales tax.
- How many days do you need in Portland?
In order to see and visit Portland's most popular attractions, you will need from 2 to 3 days. More days, if you plan on visiting some of the state's national forests, such as Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
- Are there 2 Portland in the U.S.?
Yes, there are 2 Portland in the U.S., one on the west coast in the state of Oregon and another one on the east coast in the state of Maine.
Useful Information
Digital Travel Guide Download
Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.
*this will be downloaded as a PDF.Price
€4,95
Citizens of the Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the Kingdom of Brunei can visit the United States for up to 90 days without applying for a visa (as well as citizens of Andorra, Lichtenstein, Monaco and San Marino). Citizens of these countries must obtain an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before traveling. All other travelers must obtain a visa before visiting the United States. International travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the country.
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Best Time to Visit
If you want to find out why Portland is known as the "City of Roses," plan a trip for the summer months of July and August, when flowers are in full bloom, the chance of rain is low, and the city hosts a number of outdoor events and festivals. This also means that you should expect the city to be packed with tourists and locals, which also brings higher prices on accommodation.
Autumn and spring are both slightly more budget-friendly, so if you're not put off by the occasional rain they still make for solid choices.
The cheapest time to book a trip to Portland would be winter, the period where most of the outdoor gathering points like parks and gardens shorten their opening hours. If you're a fan of winter games, though, the nearby Mount Hood and its slopes are there for you to enjoy.
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Airport
Portland International Airport (PDX) is located 9 miles (14.5 km) northeast of downtown and is conveniently connected to the city center via the MAX Red Line light rail system, with its airport station being only 150 ft away from the baggage claim area, and extending to Downtown Portland and Beaverton. For late-night travel, the 272-PDX Night Bus is available. The travel time for both the bus and light rail train journeys between Downtown Portland and Portland Airport is approximately 30-40 minutes.
For car rentals, head towards level 1 of the short-term parking garage, then it will take you roughly 16 minutes to reach Portland.
Taxis can be found on Island 3, the one closest to the short-term parking garage, with many companies offering transportation services.
If you intend to use an app-based rideshare service, head to Island 2 outside the luggage claim area where you'll be picked up. In both cases, the trip to the city takes around 15 minutes.
Alternatively, your hotel may provide courtesy shuttles, but there are also scheduled vans making trips toward Downtown Portland, which would take roughly 45 minutes.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Portland (FAQs)
- Is Portland safe to visit?
Yes, Portland is still a safe city for visitors. However, remember that it is also the largest and most populous city in the state of Oregon, so always use common sense when visiting Portland. Do not leave your belongings unattended or visible in your vehicle, and make sure to lock your car doors and bikes.
- Is Portland worth visiting?
Yes, Portland is a great place to visit. The city offers an incredible array of restaurants, food trucks, microbreweries, strong coffee culture, as well as many green areas, miles of bike paths, a thriving art scene, and an eccentric character. The best part about Portland is that the city has no sales tax.
- How many days do you need in Portland?
In order to see and visit Portland's most popular attractions, you will need from 2 to 3 days. More days, if you plan on visiting some of the state's national forests, such as Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
- Are there 2 Portland in the U.S.?
Yes, there are 2 Portland in the U.S., one on the west coast in the state of Oregon and another one on the east coast in the state of Maine.
Read more
Public Transport
TriMet is the public transportation company that operates in Portland, offering bus, commuter rail, and the MAX light rail services. Tickets can be bought either at MAX stations or at the TriMet office in Pioneer Courthouse Square.
Another option would be purchasing a Hop Fastpass Card at TriMet offices, supermarkets, and convenience stores, or doing it digitally by using the Hop app.
If you're planning to also use a bike to get around the city, you can bring it with you on the MAX light rail or use the rack outside every MAX station. Buses also have racks on the front which are able to hold up to two bikes.
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Taxi
There are many taxi companies in Portland, and one of the most well-known and used is Radio Cab. They'll take you around the Greater Portland Metro Area.
Additionally, rideshare companies, such as Uber and Lyft, are also available in Portland.
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Pharmacy
In Portland, many pharmacies are closed on Sundays and are typically open from 9am to 7pm throughout the week. However, if you require supplies over the weekend, both Walgreens and CVS are available options, as they remain open on Sundays.
Brooklyn Pharmacy
3131 Southeast Milwaukie Avenue, Portland
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 9am–6:30pm, Sun 9am–2pm
+1 503 234 3488
CVS Pharmacy
939 Southwest Morrison Street, Portland
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 9am–7pm, Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 11am–5:30pm
+1 503 290 5362
Walgreens Pharmacy
2103 West Burnside Street, Portland
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 9am–7pm, Sat 9am–6pm, Sun 10am–6pm
+1 503 295 6480
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Post
USPS is the postal service provider for Portland. You can use their blue mailboxes or go to one of their post offices scattered around town to send your mail; this is also where you can buy stamps but you can also do so at their online website.
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Telephone
Country code: +1
Area code: 503
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Electricity
In the U,S.A., the standard voltage is 120V and the standard frequency is 60Hz. Power plugs and sockets are of type A (two flat parallel prongs) and B (with one extra prong).
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