MLA ’20 Travel Information

Air Service

Portland International Airport (PDX) is currently served by 18 international and domestic airlines offering over 500 scheduled passenger arrivals and departures daily. Sixty US cities offer nonstop flights to Portland, including Atlanta, Orlando, New York, Boston, and Chicago. Internationally, you can fly direct to PDX from Amsterdam, Calgary, Frankfurt, Guadalajara, London, Puerto Vallarta, Reykjavik, Tokyo, Toronto, and Vancouver. For more information about PDX, please visit www.flypdx.com.

MLA has arranged for attendees to receive a 5% off published fares on AA and oneworld® only. The discount can be booked online at www.aa.com for AA and American Eagle (AE) flights traveling during the dates of August 10 - August 23, 2020, using the authorization number A6180BJ. Please note, the discount excludes basic economy and nondiscountable fares. For questions regarding ticketing, please call AA Meeting Services at 800.433.1790.

MLA has also arranged for attendees to receive discounts on retail published fares and zone fares. The reservations can be booked online at www.united.com/meetingtravel for all United flights traveling during the dates of August 10 - August 23, 2020, using the authorization number ZJNT994169.

You may also call the United Meeting Reservation Desk at 800.426.1122.

• Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)
• Saturday-Sunday: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Booking fees are waived for Meeting reservations. International customers may contact their local United Reservation Desk.

Update 3/3/20: Wherever you book your travel, you may wish to add-on travel insurance.

Getting to and from the Airport

PDX is located 9 miles (14.5 km) northeast of downtown Portland and provides easy access for visitors getting to and from the airport.

MAX Light Rail

The MAX Light Rail train conveniently connects PDX airport to Portland’s city center. The MAX Light Rail Red Line is the easiest way to travel to and from the airport with trains departing every 15 minutes. The MAX Light Rail can be found on the main level of PDX airport, at the south end of the ticket lobby, beyond the Starbucks. Here are some quick facts:

• The trip between the airport and downtown Portland takes about 38 minutes.
• An adult ticket costs $2.50 (youth $1.25, honored citizen $1). MAX ticket machines return change in coins, so small bills are recommended.
• You can roll your luggage on board.
• The first train of the day arrives at PDX at 4:45 a.m. The last train departs PDX at 11:50 p.m.
• The MAX station and ticket machines are located on the lower level, next to the south baggage claim area (turn right at the base of the escalator).

All guests who are registered under MLA’s group room block will receive (2) complimentary passes to use for the duration of the conference regardless of what hotel property they are staying at as long as it’s one of MLA’s preferred hotels. Guests will pick-up their complimentary passes at MLA’s registration desk located at the Oregon Convention Center. The current fare for an Adult Max Light Rail ticket is $2.50 for 2.5 hours or $5.00/per day.

For complete schedules and more information, visit www.trimet.org/schedules/maxredline.htm.

View the MAX light rail map that highlights MLA’s preferred hotels and the location of the Oregon Convention Center.

Taxi Cabs

The average taxi fare from the airport to downtown is approximately $35 before gratuity. The one-way trip takes 20–40 minutes. You can find taxis waiting in the center section of the airport terminal’s lower roadway, outside of baggage claim. Below is a listing of taxi cabs that serve the Portland area, with many offering discount coupons on their websites.

• Broadway Cab: 503.333.3333, www.broadwaycab.com
• Green Cab & Green Shuttle: 503.234.1414, www.greentrans.com
• Radio Cab Company: 503.227.1212, www.radiocab.net
• Union Cab: 503.222.2222, www.unioncabpdx.com

Airport Shuttles

Shuttles at PDX can be found on the lower roadway, outside of baggage claim. Many hotels offer free shuttle services to and from the airport. Check with the hotel before making any transportation arrangements.

• Blue Star Downtown Express is Portland’s only scheduled service between PDX and the Downtown/Lloyd Center areas, leaving Downtown/Lloyd Center and PDX every 30 minutes. Located at the bottom entrance of the terminal, directly outside of baggage on Island #3 of the commercial roadway. One-way per person is $14.00 or $24.00 round-trip per person. To view shuttle schedules or book your shuttle services, visit www.bluestarbus.com/downtown-express.php or call 249.1837. Shuttles should be arranged at least 48 hours prior to your needed date.

Rental Cars

Portland is one of the most unique and scenic cities in the United States, and one of the best ways to see all the wonderful attractions Portland offers is by car. PDX offers several car rental options conveniently located right on-site.

Airport rental car pickup and drop-off at PDX is located on Level 1 of the short-term parking garage. For pickup, proceed past baggage claim to the tunnel and take the first elevator bank to Level 1. For drop-off, follow signs on the lower roadway for “Rental Cars.”

Below are the rental car companies that are located on airport grounds at PDX airport. For availability and pricing information, please reach out to the rental car companies directly or visit www.flypdx.com/RentalCars for more information.

• AVIS: 503.249.4590
• Dollar Car Rental: 503.249.4792
• Enterprise: 503.252.1500
• Hertz: 503.520.7900
• National: 800.277.7368

Limousines and Town Cars

Limousines and town cars at PDX can be found on the lower roadway, outside of baggage claim at the far end closest to the parking garage. To make prearranged limousine or town car reservations, visit www.flypdx.com/GroundTransportation/Limo and contact your company of choice.

App-Based Rideshare

At PDX, just as you would elsewhere, use ride share apps to request your ride. Follow signs to baggage claim, making sure you are on the lower level. Once you have your luggage in hand and are ready to go, request a ride. Then follow signs to the baggage claim the lower level. Walk outside, and your pickup is on the side of Island 2 closest to the terminal, outside of baggage claim.

• Lyft: Use the Lyft app to arrange for your ride.
• Uber: Use the Uber app to arrange for your ride.
• Wingz: Use the Wingz website to arrange for your ride.

Other Options for Getting to Portland

Amtrak to Union Station

Portland’s train station is conveniently located near many mass transit options. Union Station, with its elegant architecture, 50-foot (15.2 m) clock tower, and cheerful “Go By Train” neon sign is a Portland landmark.

The station is located at the foot of the Broadway Bridge in Old Town Chinatown, just minutes from the center of downtown. The Portland Transit Mall—which carries many bus lines as well as the MAX Light Rail Green, Orange, and Yellow lines (www.travelportland.com/article/max-light-rail/)—is one block from Union Station on Fifth and Sixth Avenues.

Union Station is served by three Amtrak passenger trains:

• The Amtrak Cascades is a convenient link to the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. With four daily departures between Seattle and Portland, as well as daily service to Vancouver, BC, and two daily trips to Eugene, OR.
• The Coast Starlight operates daily, connecting the West Coast’s most popular destination cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle.
• The Empire Builder runs daily and begins in Portland and heads east to Chicago with stops at Whitefish, Glacier National Park, Minot, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and other locations.

BoltBus and Greyhound

It is easy to get to and from Portland by bus with the iconic Greyhound and its subsidiary BoltBus. The two bus companies connect Portland with regular service to cities near and far.

BoltBus (www.boltbus.com) has been a big hit since its 2012 arrival in Portland with low fares in the $10–$25 range. In addition to savings, BoltBus passengers enjoy free WiFi, electrical outlets, and about 3 inches of extra legroom compared to standard coaches. Although you board at the curb, you are guaranteed a seat with the purchase of a ticket, and boarding groups keep things orderly.

BoltBus serves the Pacific Northwest with frequent service between Portland and Vancouver, BC; Bellingham, WA; Seattle, WA; Albany, OR; and Eugene, OR.

The BoltBus stop is on the south side of Northwest Everett Street between Eighth Avenue and Broadway.

Greyhound is the United States’ largest intercity bus transportation provider and connects Portland with its more than 2,400 service locations in North America. You can buy Greyhound bus tickets online, over the phone, at the Greyhound ticket booth at 427 NW Sixth Avenue or at the Greyhound bus terminal in Portland at 7411 NW Station Way, next to the Union Station train station, and on the MAX light rail line.

In addition to BoltBus and Greyhound, several other bus services provide convenient, affordable, and frequent service to some of the most beautiful destinations in the region.

• Cascades POINT (oregon-point.com/cascades-point/): Seven daily trips to and from Portland and Eugene.
• CC Rider (www.nworegontransit.org/agencies/columbia-county-rider/): Weekday service from Portland to St. Helens and Astoria.
• Central Oregon Breeze (cobreeze.com): Daily service between Portland and Bend (with twice-daily service during peak season).
• NorthWest POINT (oregon-point.com/nw_point.php): Twice-daily service to and from Portland and Astoria.
• The Wave (www.wavetransit.com): Twice-daily service to and from Portland and multiple coastal cities, including Oceanside, Cannon Beach, and Lincoln City.