SEATTLE – Amtrak Cascades will once again provide holiday travelers with more options for getting to destinations in the Pacific Northwest this Thanksgiving season.
During the Thanksgiving period, the Washington State Department of Transportation will offer two additional Amtrak Cascades train trips between Seattle and Portland. The Oregon Department of Transportation will add more buses between Portland and Eugene to supplement train travel, and Oregon’s trains will run on their weekend schedule all five days. Details are available on the Amtrak Cascades website.
Two trips have been added between Seattle and Portland in addition to the regular schedule. The two additional trains will depart from Seattle on Wednesday, Nov. 23, and Sunday, Nov. 27, at 12:30 p.m., arriving in Portland at 4:45 p.m. They will leave Portland at 5:45 p.m. both days and arrive in Seattle at 10 p.m.
Amtrak Cascades operates four daily round trips between Portland and Seattle; two daily round trips between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia; and two daily round trips between Portland and Eugene, Oregon.
Four regular daily southbound Cascades trains depart Tacoma at 8:08 a.m., 11:58 a.m., 2:53 p.m. and 6:48 p.m.
Regular daily northbound service departs Tacoma at 10:54 a.m., 2:34 p.m., 5:24 p.m. and 9:24 p.m.
In addition, Amtrak services the Portland-Seattle corridor with one northbound and one southbound Coast Starlight train.
Regular one-way adult fares between Seattle and Portland start as low as $26. All Amtrak Cascades trains require reservations.
Tickets sell out quickly so customers are encouraged to plan ahead and book tickets early for best availability. Travelers may purchase tickets early visiting www.AmtrakCascades.com, or by calling 800-USA-RAIL.
Amtrak has a generous baggage allowance. Customers can bring two bags (up to 50 pounds each) and two carry-ons (up to 25 pounds each), collectively weighing up to 150 pounds, for free.
The busiest travel days are the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after the holiday. Other than Thanksgiving Day, morning trains typically have more available seats than those in the afternoon or evening.
Allow plenty of time at stations prior to departure – at least 45 minutes beforehand if picking up tickets. Arrange for pre-boarding if you need extra time or assistance.
All Aboard Pets: Bring Fluffy and Fido to Thanksgiving. Amtrak Cascades welcomes cats and dogs weighing 20 pounds or less for $25 each. Pet reservations are required.
– Washington State DOT
