city with high rise buildings near mountain during sunset

Portland

Oregon's largest city, built along the Willamette and Columbia rivers and known for food carts, craft breweries and rose gardens.

Find a room in Portland Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Portland

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Portland is Oregon's largest city, in the Pacific Northwest where the Willamette and Columbia rivers meet. It is nicknamed the City of Roses, a name used for more than a century, and the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park is one of its best-known stops. Food carts are a big draw, and the city has about 58 active breweries within city limits. Portland also has one of the largest Vietnamese populations in America per capita, so pho restaurants are common across town. Historic bridges over the Willamette give the city its other nickname, Bridgetown.

Forest Park, inside city limits, covers more than 5,000 acres of wilderness. On clear days, Mount Hood is visible from town. The MAX light rail, Portland Streetcar and TriMet buses serve downtown and South Waterfront, and Portland International Airport (PDX) is the main air gateway. Mid-June to early September is the sunniest and warmest stretch. Autumn, winter and spring are often overcast with light drizzle, so pack rain gear.

Portland in five

Take the MAX Red Line from PDXTrains reach the airport terminal about every 15 minutes, and a ride from downtown is about 40 minutes. The $2.80 adult fare is the same as the bus, and the last train leaves the airport for Beaverton at 12:27 a.m.TriMet Train to Plane
Tap a phone or card on TriMetHop Fastpass accepts contactless credit cards and phones for the $2.80 adult fare on buses and MAX alike. A Day Pass costs $5.60, so it pays off from the third ride.TriMet fares
Reserve Multnomah Falls in summerFrom late May through early September, a timed-use permit is required to visit Multnomah Falls, daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The online permit adds a $2 transaction fee; outside those dates, check the Forest Service page.Columbia River Gorge
Budget for lodging tax, not sales taxOregon has no general sales tax, so shelf prices match the tag. Hotels and rental cars can still carry state and local taxes, so compare the final total.Oregon Department of Revenue
Give Bend its own nightsCentral Oregon's Bend lies across the Cascades, a drive of a few hours. Treat it as a separate stay with a car, not a side trip from Portland.Bend travel guide

Things to do in Portland

See all attractions in Portland

Sight · PortlandThe Portland BuildingCheck for a public hearing or special event if you want to experience the building in use.

Sight · PortlandOregon Convention CenterFor event days, allow time to find the correct entrance and parking area.

Sight · PortlandOregon Historical Society Museum

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to PortlandPut the places you like in Portland on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Portland (PDX); MAX Red Line to downtown in about 40 min
Getting there: Fly into PDX or drive I-5, which links Seattle and California
Getting around: MAX light rail and buses on one Hop fare; walkable, bikeable core
Best base: Downtown, Pearl District or the inner southeast
Time needed: 3 days; 4 with the Gorge

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days

Best
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain19 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low3°Wet, mild
FebruaryRain17 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh9°Low2°Rainy
MarchRain19 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh12°Low4°Rain, blooms
AprilRain15 rainy daysHigh15°Low6°Spring blooms
MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low9°Mild, roses start
JunePartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh24°Low12°Rose season
JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh29°Low15°Dry, sunny
AugustClear3 rainy daysHigh29°Low16°Dry, sunny
SeptemberClear8 rainy daysHigh24°Low13°Warm, dry
OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°Fall color
NovemberRain17 rainy daysHigh11°Low6°Rain returns
DecemberRain18 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low3°Wet, lights

Average daily high and low in Portland, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Portland

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 7°
Humidity: 74%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 10%

Portland

12:37 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-8

Today13°4°10%Monday: Fog. High 13°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 10%.
Tue15°8°6%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 6%.
Wed13°6°69%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 69%.
Thu14°7°41%Thursday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 41%.
Fri13°9°48%Friday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 48%.
Sat16°8°27%Saturday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 27%.

Updated 10:11 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD

Amount

Converted to

USD · US Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Before you go to Portland

Gorge and Mount Hood day toursWaterfalls without driving yourselfCompare day trips

Rooms near a MAX lineRail from PDX to the doorCheck availability

eSIM for PortlandHop app and trail maps in the GorgeRead the guide

Insurance for rainy-season tripsHiking injury and cancellation coverRead the guide

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Rules for Portland, checked

TriMet adult fare is $2.80 on buses and MAX; a Day Pass is $5.60. Pay by tapping a contactless card, phone or Hop card.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
MAX Red Line serves PDX every 15 minutes, about 40 minutes from downtown; first train arrives at 4:43 a.m., last departs for Beaverton at 12:27 a.m.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Multnomah Falls needs a timed-use permit late May to early September, daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; $2 online transaction fee, free permits in limited supply.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Oregon does not have a general sales tax; travel purchases such as hotels and rental cars may still carry state and local taxes.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

Plan around Portland

Seattle

North along I-5, by train or car

Read the guide Willamette Valley

Wine country south of the city

Read the guide All of the USA

Parks, cities, entry rules and money for a US trip

Read the guide Columbia River Gorge

Waterfalls and cliffs east of the city

Read the guide Bend travel guide

High desert, rivers and skiing in Central Oregon

Read the guide Tours and tickets

Gorge and Mount Hood tours compared

Read the guide ESTA for Portland arrivals

Check it before booking flights to PDX

Read the guide

Portland FAQ

How do you get from Portland airport to downtown?

Take the MAX Red Line from the terminal. Trains run about every 15 minutes, take about 40 minutes to downtown and cost $2.80 for an adult. The first train arrives at 4:43 a.m.

Do you need a car in Portland?

Not for the city, where MAX and buses cover the main areas on one fare. You will want a car or a tour for Mount Hood, the coast and Bend, and Multnomah Falls needs a timed permit in summer.

Is there sales tax in Portland?

No. Oregon has no general sales tax, so retail prices are what you pay. Hotels and rental cars can still add state and local taxes, so check the final total before booking.

Do you need a permit to see Multnomah Falls?

Yes in summer: a timed-use permit is required from late May through early September, daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Book online for a $2 fee or pick up a free permit from visitor centers, supply limited.

What is the best time to visit Portland?

June to September is dry and sunny, with rose season in June. May and October are milder and cheaper. November to March is rainy, so plan museum and café days.