There are many things to love about this time of year – the lights, the food, the time off.

But there are also the headaches – traffic, parking, the extra calories to burn.  If you’re traveling out of town this season, consider your options:

Getting to PDX International Airport:

TriMet’s Red Line MAX will take you to the airport for a mere $2.50.  No parking worries, no getting stuck on the freeway, and light rail drops you right at the terminal.  Weekday arrivals at the airport run from 4:44 a.m. to 11:08 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays until 11:22 p.m.!

Ride your bike to the airport and park for free.  There are several routes for getting there – two of them are featured here.  Enjoy the bike path leading up to the terminal, which you can access from the Marine Drive bike path or 82^nd Ave.  PDX has bike racks at the south and north ends of the terminal building.  Check out this map to plan your approach (you can click for detailed maps and photos). 

Or, take Amtrak: 

Shrink your carbon footprint and expand your legroom.  A great option for families with kids who like to wander, you can roam the train while you roam the countryside.  The sleeper car, while pricey, includes 3 meals a day.  And the Yellow Line or Green Line MAX will take you right to Union Station.

Enjoy your holidays, and tell Grandma hi for us!