The Northwest is a very diverse region that is made up of everything from desert and fertile valleys, to soaring mountains, rugged coastlines and picturesque islands, which means the best way to get around, really depends on the places you plan to visit.
Outside of the major cities of Seattle and Portland, public transportation is scarce. Even in Idaho’s capital city, Boise, cars are generally a necessity outside of the city center.
Seattle
If you plan to stick to Seattle, you’ll have a variety of public transportation options:
Link Light Rail operates between the University of Washington and Sea-Tac Airport via Westlake Center downtown, running through South Seattle and Tukwila. Metro Transit is fairly easy to use, and offers a web trip planner that’s simple and accurate. This is a very bike-friendly city too. There are a wealth of well-maintained trails as well as separated bike lanes, and because so many people get around by bike, drivers are more accustomed to them so it’s generally safer too. Pick up a free Seattle Bike Map at locations through the city, including the Seattle BikeStation, at 311 3rd Ave South near the train station.
If you want to visit Bainbridge Island or Bremerton, you can access the ferry right downtown from the pier at the south end of the waterfront. This is a scenic adventure that offers the chance to view all types of wildlife, including porpoise and killer whales. Once you arrive, buses are available that can take you to points around the Olympic Peninsula, however, you’ll be able to see a lot more, and get there quicker if you have a car, which can be driven right onto the ferries.
Train service is also available and is a great way to get between Seattle and Portland. Amtrak Cascades runs four trains daily between Seattle and Portland, with stops in Tukwila, Tacoma, Lacey, Centralia, Kelso and Vancouver, Washington. Two continue to Eugene via Oregon City, Salem and Albany. In the Puget Sound, Sounder Commuter Rail goes out from Seattle to Lakewood via Tukwila, Kent, Auburn, Sumner, Puyallup, Tacoma and South Tacoma in one direction and to Everett via Edmonds and Mukilteo in the other on a separate route.
Portland
Cyclists at the Hawthorne Bridge, Portland
photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Portland is one of the most walkable and bikeable cities in the nation, in fact, there are over 350 miles of bikeways here. Public transportation is available too, with TriMet maintaining bus, streetcar, and MAX light rail throughout the area.
Take the Portland Aerial Tram, at SW Moody and Gibbs in the South Waterfront neighborhood, which connects to the Oregon Health Sciences University campus and offers fabulous views of downtown and the surrounding area, as well as the mountains on a clear day.
Outside of Portland and Seattle, as mentioned, your best option, if you hope to see many of the Northwest’s hidden treasures as well as more than a few of its popular attractions, is to rent a car. Just keep in mind that as with many major cities, traveling during commute times around either can mean a long time in the car, so try to make those trips either very early, well after dinner, or between about 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. during the week.
