Amtrak Cascades to add two more daily roundtrips & here’s what to know

Love taking the train? You’re about to have even more opportunities to do so. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) have teamed up to add two daily trains to the Amtrak Cascades route between Seattle and Portland. Here’s what that means for you.

Starting December 11, the Amtrak Cascades route between Seattle and Portland is getting a turbo boost with not one, but two additional daily roundtrip trains. That’s right – a total of six daily roundtrip trains will now whisk you between these two bustling cities, just in time for the festive season.

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The new schedule caters to all schedules, with trains departing Seattle at 5:52 AM and Portland at 6:45 AM For those who prefer a more leisurely pace, catch the latest trains departing at 7:25 PM from Portland and 7:50 PM from Seattle.

Between cities riders can expect to stop at 6 stops including Tukwila, Tacoma, Olympia/Lacey, Centralia, Kelso/Longview, and Vancouver, WA.

The addition of the new trains isn’t the only change. Morning travelers from Eugene get a treat with a later departure, allowing seamless travel all the way to Seattle. There will also be later morning departures on trains leaving in both directions between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia. Plus afternoon trains will depart earlier from Canada to Seattle and from Portland to Seattle to Vancouver.

So if you’re a regular rider, be sure to check how the departure changes may impact your schedule.

According to Jason Biggs, director of WSDOT’s Rail, Freight, and Ports Division, the trips were added in order to “provide more convenient travel options for Amtrak Cascades passengers.” Further stating that due to sold out trains, the addition has been “long been awaited.”

Tickets for the new trains can be purchased online starting Friday, December 1st. So pick a day and experience even more flexibility in your Amtrak travels.