Portland International Airport Guide
Contact information and flight status
- pdx.com; 877-PDX-INFO (877-739-4636), staffed 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Twitter / Facebook
- Terminal maps
- Current departures
- Current arrivals
Checkpoint savvy
Busiest times: Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, 5 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Workarounds: All gates are accessible from both checkpoints.
TSA PreCheck: Available at both security checkpoints. Per Oregon law, legal amounts of recreational marijuana are permitted through the security checkpoints, provided the travelers is 21 and over and flying to another Oregon city.
Parking
Parking information: 877-PDX-INFO, 24 hours.
Most convenient: Gold Key Valet on upper, outer roadway in front of the terminal, $30 per day. Short-term garage next to terminal, $27/day. Long-term garage, $21/day. Motorcycle parking is free. Electric vehicle charging available in short-term garage. See more options.
Least expensive: Economy Parking Lot on N.E. Airport Way, just west of I-205, $10/day, seventh day free. Shuttle to airport.
Cellphone lot: Follow signs to the lot when approaching the airport on N.E. Airport Way, or N.E. 82nd Avenue. No amenities.
Transportation to/from city
Most convenient: Taxis reach downtown in 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic, $30-$35. Ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft are permitted at PDX. See more options.
Least expensive: TriMet MAX light rail Red Line, $2.50, 38 minutes from PDX to downtown Portland. See more options.
Wi-Fi and charging stations
Wi-Fi service is free throughout the terminal.
Power outlets: A total of 43 work stations, all with outlets and a variety of power cords, are located in Service Centers on all four concourses. Additional "Power Towers" located on Concourses A, B, D and E. There's a counter with multiple outlets near Coffee People on Concourse C and outlets built into the central Concessions Court seating area on Concourse D.
Go local
Good choice for local gifts: Pre-security Oregon Market: cc McKenzie Shoes & Apparel, Columbia Sportswear, Pendleton Woolen Mills, Made in Oregon, The Real Mother Goose (crafts), Nike Store, Powell's Books (new and used). Post-security: cc McKenzie Shoes & Apparel (Concourse C), House Spirits Distillery (Concourse C), Made in Oregon (Concourses C and D), Timberline (Concourse D; Timberline Lodge-themed shop with apparel and crafts by local artists). See more options.
Good choice for local food: Pre-security Oregon Market: Trio of PDX Food Carts, Beaches Restaurant and Bar (tropical theme), Stanford's Restaurant & Bar, Petite Provence. Post-security: Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen (Concourse C), Burgerville (Concourse D), Caper's Cafe (South Lobby), Henry's Tavern (Concourse C), Rogue Ales Public House (Concourse D), Laurelwood Brewing Co. (Concourse E), Caper’s Farm-to-Table Market, The Country Cat (North Lobby). See more options.
Tips and tidbits
Portland’s historic Hollywood Theatre has a free 17-seat "microcinema" on Concourse C showing short films by Oregon filmmakers. PDX also has a branch of the Dragontree Spa (Concourse C) and The Barbers (pre-security; A,B,C gate entrance), bike assembly stations (with tools), children's play areas, and a robust public art program.
Lactation rooms for nursing mothers are located past the security checkpoints on both the A/B/C and D/E concourses. A USO lounge is on the Mezzanine level, near the PDX Conference Center.
Nearby layover option
Cascade Station (IKEA, shopping/restaurants) is just beyond the airport, and accessible via the MAX light rail. There's also a bicycle/pedestrian path connecting PDX to a regional trail system. The trail is located just outside the north side of bag claim.
Your tips and picks?
Please share your time- and money-saving tips, favorite restaurants, bars and stores in comments below.
These guides are written by Harriet Baskas, who is the author of six books, including the airport guidebook Stuck at the Airport and a blog of the same name.