Astoria, Oregon is full of adventures and hidden gems just waiting to be explored – and having a transportation plan means you can cover more ground while you’re here! Since Astoria is a small town in a more remote coastal location, some types of transportation you’d find in the city aren’t accessible or available here. Even so, there are plenty of ways to get around and explore everything Astoria has to offer. Despite its small size, Astoria has a variety of public and private transportation options that make it easy for visitors and residents to get around town and explore the surrounding areas.
Here’s a breakdown of all the ways you can get around in Astoria – your adventure awaits!
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Buses
Getting around within Astoria is made easier by the availability of public transportation via bus. And, you can take a bus from Portland to Astoria and vice versa, which makes it even easier to plan a trip here. Let’s talk about the different ways you can travel by bus in Astoria, Oregon:
NW Connector Bus Service
NW Connector Route 101 offers a fixed route with more than a dozen stops throughout Astoria, as well as stops in Warrenton, Gearhart, Seaside, and all the way down to Cannon Beach. The best part is, weekday fares are only $1, so you can roll your way through Astoria or down the coast super inexpensively.
NW Connecter also provides connecting routes with service to even more fun Oregon destinations, including Tillamook, Portland, Pacific City, and more. You can always grab a 3 or 7 day pass from the NW Connector website or in person from a driver, and the Oregon Coast will be your oyster!
Bus from Astoria to Portland
Amtrak runs a bus from Portland to Astoria, which costs only $18 and is just under a 3 hour ride. The bus runs from Union Station in Portland to the Astoria Transit Center right by the waterfront in downtown Astoria, the perfect launch point for your visit. And, if you need to get to PDX, the Astoria – Portland bus is a cheap and easy way to do so, without having to pay for parking at the airport.
➤ You can book Portland – Astoria bus tickets through Busbud ahead of time, so you don’t have to wait in line at the bus station.
Ride Sharing Services
Ride sharing services like Uber and Lyft have become part of daily life in many places in the country. In Astoria, ride sharing services aren’t as readily available. Lyft is not available at all, and Uber is hit or miss. There are only a handful of Uber drivers in the area, so there may not be a ride available when you request one.
I’ve successfully gotten an Uber twice in Astoria, but more often than not, I’ve ended up calling a taxi due to no drivers being available on the app.
Rental Cars
With the limited availability of ride sharing services in Astoria, many visitors turn to rental cars to get around reliably. There is an Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Astoria, though there’s more of a selection in Portland, where many visitors fly in.
To secure a rental car in Portland with no cancellation fees, 24/7 customer service support, and no hidden fees, book your vehicle through DiscoverCars. DiscoverCars understands that travel plans change, so you can change or cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your scheduled pickup.
Astoria, Oregon Taxi Services
There are several Astoria, Oregon taxi services that serve the local area and offer rides at reasonable prices. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of finding parking or want to grab drinks at one of Astoria’s fantastic breweries and don’t want to drive, riding with a local Astoria taxi service is the way to go.
Since it is such a small town, there aren’t too many cab services in Astoria. Sometimes there can be long wait times and limited availability, especially on weekends and during summer. But there are a few services to choose from. And, every time you ride a taxi in Astoria, Oregon, you’re supporting a local business while riding safely!
Astoria, OR Taxi Companies:
Mom’s Cab of Astoria: (503) 325-8725
Downtown Coffee Shop Taxi: (503) 791-6728
Munchie’s Taxi: (503) 470-0569
Royal Taxi Astoria, Oregon: (503) 325-5818
Astoria Riverfront Trolley
Astoria’s most exciting public transportation option is the historic red and green trolley that runs along the Columbia River waterfront. The Astoria, Oregon trolley is fondly called “Old 300,” is operated by the Astoria Riverfront Trolley Association. The trolley offers scenic transportation between town’s historic landmarks and downtown areas. It only costs $1 for a single ride on the trolley – or, you can ride all day for $2!
The Astoria Riverfront Trolley operates from March through November, offering 12 stops along its set route. If you see the trolley, you can also flag it down with a dollar bill to pick you up! The Astoria, Oregon trolley schedule is not set in stone, but the average round trip ride takes about one hour.
Bicycle
Many people choose to take in the sights and sounds of Astoria on two wheels, and for good reason. Downtown Astoria and the Astoria Riverwalk are bike friendly, and pedaling through town gives you more flexibility than using public transportation. You can rent bikes in Astoria from a local cycling shop like Bikes and Beyond, located right downtown. I bought my used mountain bike from them. Their customer service is top notch, and they’re super knowledgeable about the local area (and, obviously…about bikes!).
Hoofin’ It
One of the perks of small towns is their walkability, and Astoria is no exception. Astoria, Oregon is walkable, boasting a walk score of 86 out of 100. You can easily cover the downtown area of Astoria on foot, where most of the town’s businesses, shops, eateries, and museums are.
Trains
As a train enthusiast, it saddens me to report that there’s no train system that operates within Astoria’s city limits. The closest Amtrak station to Astoria is located in Kelso, Washington, which is approximately 45 minutes away. The good news is that once you get to Kelso, you can take the train to a ton of amazing PNW destinations like Seattle and British Columbia.
Maybe you dream of idyllic afternoons pedaling your bike along the Riverwalk. Or maybe you’re a fierce travel planner looking to book the most efficient rental car for your trip. No matter your desired mode of transportation, there are so many ways to get around in Astoria to make the most of your visit. Happy exploring!
➤ Planning your visit to Astoria? Check out the 33 best things to do in Astoria, Oregon to make the most of your time in town!
Astoria, Oregon Transportation Q&A
There is Uber in Astoria, Oregon, however, service is limited. There are only a few Uber drivers between Astoria and Warrenton, so it can be hit or miss whether a driver will be available when you request a ride.
The distance between Astoria and Portland is 95 miles, about a 2 hour drive.
The nearest airport to Astoria, Oregon is Portland International Airport (PDX), which is 95 miles from Astoria. The next closest airport to Astoria, Oregon is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), which is 175 miles from Astoria.
Astoria, Oregon is walkable, with a walk score of 86 out of 100. Downtown Astoria, Oregon covers a few blocks near the Columbia River and can easily be explored on foot. The Astoria Riverwalk also provides visitors and residents with a 6.4 mile long foot path. There, visitors can find a multitude of attractions, shops, and historical hotspots.
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