Top tips for seeing Portland on a budget

The City of Roses may not be as dirt-cheap as it once was, but Portland can still be a bargain if you’re flexible and scrappy. Accommodations are the biggest expense, as they tend to run high and are somewhat unavoidable; there just aren’t many budget options within the city center. But you can usually make up for it in other areas by finding low-cost entertainment, food and drink – and searching out those deals is sometimes its own great adventure. 

Here are our best tips for getting the most out of Portland on a budget. 

Daily costs

• Hostel dorm bed: US$40-60

• Hotel double room: US$125-175

• Self-catering apartment (eg Airbnb): US$70-150

• Public transportation ticket: US$2.50

• Cappuccino: US$5-6

• Sandwich: US$10-14

• Dinner for two: US$60-100

• Pint of IPA: US$7

• Average daily cost: US$150-250

Take MAX light-rail into town from the airport

Even if the light-rail train doesn’t go all the way to where you’re staying, you’ll save a bunch on an Uber or Lyft the rest of the way if you spend the US$2.50 to hop the red line into town first. Figure out (or ask) where the nearest light-rail station is and go from there. And if you can get the rest of the way by bus, even better as you can use the same ticket you already bought for the train.

Get around town the low-budget way

An all-day transit ticket on Trimet buses and light-rail costs $5. With that, you can hop on and off buses and trains (and the Portland Streetcar) all day long, to your heart’s content. Pick a bus line that goes through an interesting area and ride its entire route – a winning plan for a rainy day. If the weather is nicer, opt for an e-bike from Biketown or an electric scooter from Lime to get around inexpensively. 

If you’re traveling by car, consider an airport hotel

When you’re traveling with your own wheels in Portland, you’ll eventually need someplace to put them. Many hotels in the city center charge upwards of US$40 a night for parking. Some Airbnb rentals have street parking for free, but it’s not always safe to leave a car on the street overnight. If you’re not picky about unique character and charm in your accommodations, consider a chain hotel near the airport – most of them have free (or cheap) secure parking for hotel guests. They tend to be more affordable than city center hotels, too.