The nearest airport to the Oregon Convention Center is Portland International Airport (PDX), located at 7000 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97218. It is eight miles away from the Oregon Convention Center.
Ground transportation from Portland International Airport (PDX) offers several convenient options:
- MAX Light Rail (Red Line) for downtown access.
All registered AISES National Conference attendees will receive a complimentary Tri-Met or MAX ride pass to help you get around the city during the conference. Pick up your complimentary pass at the time of check-in at the AISES registration desk in the convention center. - Ride-shares (Uber/Lyft), picking up at the Transportation Plaza
- Taxis
- Shuttle services (GO Airport Shuttle, Groome Transportation) for regional destinations
Clear signage on the lower level and in the parking garage guides you to each service.
MAX Light Rail is at the heart of Portland’s award-winning public transportation system, which connects Portland International Airport (PDX), the Oregon Convention Center, and hotels. It’s easy, inexpensive, and convenient.
- How does MAX work? Will it be easy for me to get around?
There are signs at each station that indicate when the MAX is coming and which lines are due. The color line of a train is illuminated on the front of each train car, so you’ll never get confused about which train to board. Trains stop at every station, so there’s no need to signal or inform the operator of your stop. Be sure to tap your form of payment on the green Hop readers before boarding.
- How can I ride the MAX Red Line to and from PDX?
From your arrival gate, follow signs for “Baggage Claim.” Take the escalator or elevator down to baggage claim and follow signs for “MAX Light Rail.” You can purchase ride fare on the platform and board any train after tapping your form of payment on the green Hop Readers located at the end of the platform.
All trains leaving PDX will be RED Line trains heading toward the Convention Center and Downtown. Trains depart approximately every 15 minutes. On your way back to PDX, board any RED Line Train at designated RED Line platforms. Don’t forget to tap your form of payment on the green Hop Readers.
- How much does riding the MAX cost and how do I pay?
All registered AISES National Conference attendees will receive a complimentary Tri-Met or MAX ride pass to help you get around the city during the conference. Pick up your complimentary pass at the time of check-in at the AISES registration desk in the convention center.
TriMet is Portland’s public transportation system, and Travel Portland provides passes that can be used on our light rail, streetcars, and buses. Learn more about how to use the cards here.
Ride fares can be purchased at the kiosks located on each stop platform, or by tapping a credit card on the green Hop Card readers located at the ends of each platform.
An adult ticket good for 2.5 hours costs $2.80. Visit TriMet’s website for more information on fares, navigating the city, and possible disruptions of MAX service.
- Does the MAX run all night?
While the MAX runs every 15 minutes or less most of the day, it does not run 24 hours. Most lines begin service at 4 a.m. and end service around midnight. TriMet has information about the full schedules for each of the five lines (blue, green, red, yellow, and orange) on its website.
- How long will my ride take?
Common trip times include: PDX to downtown Portland: 38–43 minutes // PDX to Oregon Convention Center: 30–33 minutes // Oregon Convention Center to downtown Portland: 10–13 minutes.
You can use TriMet’s Trip Planner to get an accurate idea of trip length.
