Directions for taking public transportation from the Portland, OR Airport (PDX)

to the AAAL hotel conference site

Portland Marriott Downtown on the Waterfront
1401 S. W. Naito Parkway
Portland, OR 97201
Phone: 503-226-7600

Notes: Detailed information and schedules can be obtained from: http://www.trimet.org

Total travel time from the airport to hotel is about 50 to 55 minutes (including walking time)

Option 1: Train plus 0.5 mile (0.8 km) walk:

  1. Follow signs at the airport to the MAX (light rail).
  2. Purchase an "All Zone" ticket from the ticket machine. The tickets cost $1.60 for regular riders (Youth Fare (17 and under) $ 1.00; Senior (65+)/Disabled Fare $ 0.60)
  3. Board any MAX Red Line (they're the only ones that go to the airport).
  4. Get off MAX at Morrison/SW 3rd Ave MAX Station.
  5. Walk 0.5 mile south to 1401 SW Naito Pkwy (you will cross: Taylor St., Salmon St., Main St., Madison St., Jefferson St., Columbia St. At Clay, turn left toward the river to find the hotel.) [Note: if you cross Alder St. and Washington St., you're going the WRONG direction. Turn around, go the other way.]

Option 2: Train, plus bus plus 2-3 block walk (0.2 mile, 0.3 km)

  1. Follow signs at the airport to the MAX (light rail).
  2. Purchase an "All Zone" ticket from the ticket machine. The tickets cost $1.60 for regular riders (Youth Fare (17 and under) $ 1.00; Senior (65+)/Disabled Fare $ 0.60)
  3. Board any MAX Red Line (they're the only ones that go to the airport).
  4. Get off MAX at Morrison/SW 5th Ave.
  5. Board one of the following buses: 4, 10, 14, 33, 99 (no need to show your ticket Ð public transit is free downtown).
  6. Get off at Madison & 1st.
  7. Walk 0.2 miles south to 1401 SW Naito Pkwy   (you will cross: Jefferson St., Columbia St. At Clay, you will find the hotel.)

Option 3: Train, plus cab

  1. Follow signs at the airport to the MAX (light rail).
  2. Purchase an "All Zone" ticket from the ticket machine. The tickets cost $1.60 for regular riders (Youth Fare (17 and under) $ 1.00; Senior (65+)/Disabled Fare $ 0.60)
  3. Board any MAX Red Line (they're the only ones that go to the airport)
  4. Get off MAX at Pioneer Square.
  5. Walk one block south to 6th and Taylor Ñ get a cab in front of the Hilton. Cab fare = ??? probably $5-$10.

Option 4: Cab from airport

  1. Go to cab stand. Hire cab. Cab fare estimated $26-$30. Travel time ca. 25 minutes.

For other options, please see the Port of Portland's website: http://www.portlandairportpdx.com/web_pop/GRNDTRAN.HTM

Other notes:

The local organizers strongly recommend public transportation. It's cheap, efficient and easy to use. Public transportation in Portland is clean and considered to be quite safe. Though, as in any city, travelers should take precautions to protect both their belongings and their persons.

On the MAX (light rail) lines, the stops are announced and are also displayed visually. It's hard to go wrong.

If you take the bus, the drivers are generally courteous and helpful. If you ask them to let you know when a certain stop is coming, they will do so.

Once you are in downtown Portland, you may ride any bus, streetcar or MAX line for free Ð it's called the "Fareless Square". Only if you leave the Fareless Square do you need to buy a ticket. Most major attractions are within the Fareless Square (exceptions are the airport and the zoo).