Better Public Transportation - SEA or PDX?
Feb 13, 2014, 6:21 am
#1
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Better Public Transportation - SEA or PDX?
Which city has better public transportation both in terms of getting from the airport to the city as well as within the city - Seattle or Portland, OR?
Feb 13, 2014, 7:38 am
#2
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Both cities have a light rail system that will get you from the airport to the downtown core.
Otherwise, I guess it really depends what you want to do once there. If you stay in either downtown, you can simply walk to many places.
That said, the Portland light rail has more lines and goes more places. There is also a good bus system that can get you most places.
I'm sure Seattle has a good bus system, but only the 1 light rail line.
Otherwise, I guess it really depends what you want to do once there. If you stay in either downtown, you can simply walk to many places.
That said, the Portland light rail has more lines and goes more places. There is also a good bus system that can get you most places.
I'm sure Seattle has a good bus system, but only the 1 light rail line.
Feb 13, 2014, 10:20 pm
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Also, the Portland MAX light rail system boards at PDX from very close to the Alaska Airlines baggage claim; the light rail at SEA requires a hike out to where the station is. That said, both cities have very good transit systems.
Feb 13, 2014, 10:41 pm
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Feb 14, 2014, 11:09 am
#6
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Portland/PDX by a mile. Not only is Portland's Tri-Met coordinated bus + light rail system more robust and easier to use, especially light rail at the airport, but the Seattle metro area's mass transit infrastructure is a crazy quilt of overlapping authorities and networks: Metro buses, Sounder buses, special RapidRide buses, Community Transit buses, Sounder light rail and heavy / commuter rail, South Lake Union Trolley light rail, Pierce County express buses, Washington State ferries, King County water taxi... it's pretty difficult to figure out, and service is nonetheless spotty and long-interval, especially evenings and weekends.
Feb 18, 2014, 1:24 pm
#8
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I have an option to connect at PDX or SEA for an upcoming flight, and I want to make the connection a stopover. But I don't want to rent a car for a day just to get from the airport to my hotel (and my hotel to downtown if I don't stay in downtown). I have never been to either and am equally interested in seeing both. I haven't picked a hotel yet either, but I'd like to stick with IHG.
Feb 18, 2014, 4:38 pm
#9
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I have an option to connect at PDX or SEA for an upcoming flight, and I want to make the connection a stopover. But I don't want to rent a car for a day just to get from the airport to my hotel (and my hotel to downtown if I don't stay in downtown). I have never been to either and am equally interested in seeing both. I haven't picked a hotel yet either, but I'd like to stick with IHG.
You can take the light rail from Seatac to either the University Street or Westlake stations, from which (either) it's around a 3-4 block walk to the hotel. You're probably a 10 min. walk from the CP to the Pike Place Market and 5 min. further (down the hill) to the central waterfront. Everything is pretty walkable in downtown Seattle, although it's notably hillier than downtown Portland.
When would you be coming?
Feb 18, 2014, 4:48 pm
#10
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I wouldn't mind staying in HI/HIx if they are close to public transportation stops that would take me to downtown. Besides, CP does not always have free breakfast.
I would be there once in early July, and once early November.
I would be there once in early July, and once early November.