Here’s the thing about Portland: seeing it from up high is one of the best ways to appreciate it. You’ll get spectacular, unhindered views of your favorite spots, so really, what’s not to love? 

That’s a big part of what makes the Portland Aerial Tram so popular. Most people visiting Portland are advised to get on it at least once – heck, we locals do it every now and then still! 

Anyway, let us take you on a deep dive into everything you need to know about the tram so you know how to make the most of your experience on it. 

What is the Portland Aerial Tram? 

The Portland Aerial Tram is an aerial tramway that takes you from one point to the other. Not only is it a futuristic way to travel, but it also provides riders with a different, ultra-scenic point of view of the city of Portland from 3,300 ft or 1,000 m up in the air. 

Another thing worth noting about the Portland Aerial Tram is that it was completed in 2006 and cost $57 million. It was almost four times the estimated cost, so there was a controversy about it at first. 

Fast forward to several years and it is now viewed as the city project that opened the possibility of OHSU’s waterfront expansion. This used to be a hard-to-access industrial site, but because of the tram and its reliability, OHSU decided to turn the waterfront into a top-notch bioscience education hub. 

This also led to over 4,000 new jobs for Portlanders. Plus, this helped the university become the global center for cancer research! 

In other words, something that people once described as a waste of city funds eventually yielded tons of benefits for us. As luck would have it, the once-controversial tram became the herald of many improvements and changes in Portland. 

Where does the Portland Aerial Tram go?

The Portland Aerial Tram will take you from South Waterfront to Marquam Hill. This makes it one of the easiest ways to go from the South Waterfront district to Oregon Health & Science University Campus. 

This is why if you take the tram, you will most likely come across doctors and medical students on their way to help the locals as well as patients of the hospital. 

Where is the Portland Aerial Tram located? 

The Portland Aerial Tram is located at 3303 S Bond Ave, Portland, OR. You may refer to the directions here on Google Maps. 

What are the different ways to get to the Portland Aerial Tram?

Now that you have an idea what the Portland Aerial Tram is, where the tram will take you, and where it is located, you might be wondering about the different ways on how to get there. 

You can go to the Portland Aerial Tram by Lightrail (at stop 13728 on the orange line and 13711 on the yellow line), bus, and streetcar (with the stop code 1260 on the NS line).

Below are more detailed instructions for each option. 

How to Get to the Portland Aerial Tram by Lightrail (Trimet Max)

You may alight at the S Moody MAX station from any light rail lines. If you’re taking the orange line that goes from Milwaukie, Oregon to the South Waterfront, the stop is 13728. 

Whereas if you’re on the yellow line, it will eventually take you to the downtown transit mall, so now you’re on the orange line. The stop code is 13711.

How to Get to the Portland Aerial Tram by Bus

The best way of getting to the Portland Aerial Tram by bus is taking the 35 and 36 at the TriMet lines and debarking at South Moody and Gibbs. 

Another option would be taking lines FX2, 9 and 17, halting at Tilikum Crossing’s west end. 

Furthermore, you may also access lines 19, 43, 44, and 66 through the Hooley Pedestrian Bridge. 

How to Get to the Portland Aerial Tram by Streetcar

Another way to get to the Portland Aerial Tram is to get there by streetcar. Take the NS line until the lower tram terminal – the stop code is 1260. 

You may also ride to South Moody and Meade if you’re taking a different line but you would have to walk to the south for 2 blocks. 

When is the best time to go to the Portland Aerial Tram? 

The best time to go to the Portland Aerial Tram if you want a more peaceful atmosphere is at 10 AM to 2 PM and 6 PM to 9 PM. At these times, there are usually fewer riders on the tram, which means your experience aboard the tram will be more relaxing.

As is true of many transport options, the tram is at its busiest during rush hour. That aside, note that Saturday is also a great day to ride the tram (despite what most people expect) because it’s probably the day with the fewest people. 

How much does the Portland Aerial Tram cost?

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The cost of taking the Portland Aerial Tram is $7 for a roundtrip pass. Children younger than 7 years old may ride it for free if accompanied by a paying adult. 

Take note that patients and patient visitors of OHSU can also ride the tram for free if they have a valid pass. Plus, there are monthly and annual passes at $40 per month and $440 per year.

Do note that the fare is non-refundable, however. Moreover, the HOP pass is not accepted on the tram.

At any rate, you may easily purchase a ticket or a pass online or onsite at either available terminals. 

How long does riding the Portland Aerial Tram take?

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Riding the Portland Aerial Tram takes only 4 minutes. It travels at 22 miles per hour and obviously, you won’t encounter any type of traffic, so it’s one of the quick and efficient ways to travel. 

If you miss the tram you were supposed to take, you don’t have to worry about it hampering your plans. Another one will arrive in a few minutes to get you to your destination in no time. 

How many terminals are there at the Portland Aerial Tram?

There are two terminals at the Portland Aerial Tram – the one in the South Waterfront district by S Moody Avenue (the lower terminal) and the one on Marquam Hill (the upper terminal).

What activities can I do around the lower terminal area? 

The intersection where the terminal is located is known to be one of the best in the country in terms of amenities. There are quite a few places to dine, drink, and relax. 

We tried several of them to see which ones are the best, so that you can really enjoy your time here. 

See our recommendations below. 

1. Try the Hojicha Tea Latte at the Oracle Coffee Company 

Hojicha tea latte is not as well-known as other Japanese drinks like Matcha. However, we think it’s worth the same hype! 

If you don’t know, Hojicha is roasted green tea that is usually served with water and milk. It’s sweet, kind of nutty, with a subtle chocolate-y flavor. 

Most of our staff have always liked green teas, so we were glad that we found the perfect cup of it at the Oracle Coffee Company. 

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They also have baked goods that change every now and then, but based on our experience, whatever we eat here seems to hit the spot everytime. 

This coffee shop is just a 6-minute walk away from the lower terminal, by the way, so you can easily go here without breaking a sweat. 

Aside from their drinks, we also enjoyed the atmosphere and the friendliness of the staff. It’s truly worth stopping by here if you’re in the area!

2. Relax with the Body of Knowledge Massage Therapy 

It wouldn’t hurt to add a relaxing activity to your day, right? Well, once you get off the tram (it’s only 10 minutes away on foot), you’ll get the chance to pamper yourself at the Body of Knowledge Massage Therapy, so take advantage of it. 

The massage therapist has 20 years of experience, so you can be assured that you’re in good hands. Two of us tried her out and she actually was pretty good! 

Stock up on some quality cannabis with Trees Dispensary 

We love stopping by Trees Dispensary whenever we’re in the area because of the variety of goods they have to offer. 

It’s a 12-minute walk and a 4-minute drive away from the Portland Aerial Tram, so it’s a quick detour that wouldn’t affect your itinerary. 

Another thing we love about this dispensary is that they have different price points so you almost don’t have to worry about breaking the bank because there are a lot of affordable options. 

Additionally, the staff is quite friendly and taught us everything we need to know about their products. They can even suggest products depending on your needs, so be sure to chat them up! 

What activities can I do around the upper terminal area? 

The upper terminal area is surrounded by a lot of the natural wonders of Portland. That’s why if you’re in the area specifically to sightsee, we suggest going on an adventure and checking out the hiking trails. 

However, if this doesn’t particularly pique your interest, we also tried out other things and picked which ones we recommend the most. 

Check out our list of ideas below. 

1. Try Thai food at Thai Yummy

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We don’t know about you, but Thai food is in the top tier of comfort food picks for us. Nothing beats a hearty meal combined with different flavors that tickle our taste buds! 

The reason we love dining at Thai Yummy is not only because we love their food, their service is also worthy of praise. Even though we sometimes come in during busy hours, the staff always manage to quickly assist us.

We know this place is not that popular unlike other Thai restaurants in the city, but don’t worry – it’s mostly due to the location and they’re just as good. 

2. Check out OHSU Farmers Market

If you’re in the area on a Tuesday, you shouldn’t miss OHSU Farmers Market. 

From there, you will be able to purchase bread, produce, juice, jam, and many more local goods. If you’re following a more health conscious lifestyle, you’ll particularly love buying here. 

This is because the university makes sure that what the vendors are selling are up to their standards. Being located inside a health & science university, it is only fair that they serve products that are healthy for the body. 

Food, after all, can also be considered medicine if we choose the right ones. 

3. Hike at Marquam Nature Park

Marquam Nature Park is a 200-acre space that has 7 miles of hiking trails. In case you don’t know, it’s the third-largest park in the city. 

If you have a thirst for adventure and a curiosity for wildlife, this is the place for you. In fact, this park is a popular spot among runners and hikers. 

If you want to help in maintaining the beauty of the park, there are also several volunteer opportunities available like removing ivy and such. Be on the lookout for such events by going to the Portland.gov website here.

We hope this guide offers all the information you need about the Portland Aerial Tram. Do you think we missed something? Let us know!