Getting Around, Salem Travel, Transport and Car Rental

(Salem, Oregon - OR, USA)

The Salem-Keizer Transit is a public transportation company servicing the entire metropolitan area, based at 555 Court Street Northeast. Officially named the Salem Area Mass Transit District and affectionately referred to by local Oregons as the Cherriots, public buses travel around the capital Monday to Friday and also connect neighboring Grand Ronde, Keizer and Wilsonville.

More and more visitors are opting for car hire and their favored mode of transport is easy to arrange, with rental cars being found at either the city's Municipal Airport or within the city itself. Reliable car rental outlets are located on Commercial Street Southeast, Front Street Northeast, High Street Northeast, Lancaster Drive Southeast and State Street.

Several parking lots reside within downtown Salem, either being free of charge or free for a period of two hours. Parking spaces can be found on central roads such as Chemeketa Street, Ferry Street and State Street.

Day trips between Salem and Portland are extremely possible and by driving along Interstate I-5, this journey should take in the region of one hour. Amtrak Thruway coaches also travel this route, while a limited Cascades train service may be available, although same-day return tickets may not be possible to arrange.

Salem Municipal Airport (SLE) / Arriving by Air

Address: 25th Street Southeast, Salem, Oregon (OR), 97302, USA
Tel: +1 503 362 0041
Salem Municipal Airport is located close to the city center, being just 3 miles / 5 km away and to the southeast. Also known as the McNary Field, the airport lies next to Stone Quarry Lake and is reached via Missouri Street Southeast (Highway US-99E). Limited passenger services are available here, with airlines coming and going. Therefore, most visitors looking to travel into Oregon by plane tend to make use of one of the following airports, which come with comprehensive ground transportation options and good connections to Salem, the state capital.

Portland International Airport (PDX)
Address: 7000 Northeast Airport Way, Portland, Oregon (OR), 97218, USA
Tel: +1 503 460 4234
Distance / direction: 58 miles / 93 km northeast

Portland Airports Guide

Eugene Airport (EUG)
Address: 28855 Lockheed Drive, Eugene, Oregon (OR), 97402, USA
Tel: +1 541 682 5430
Distance / direction: 70 miles / 113 km south

Rogue Valley International Medford Airport (MFR)
Address: 1000 Terminal Loop Parkway, Medford, Oregon (OR), 97504, USA
Tel: +1 541 772 8068
Distance / direction: 225 miles / 362 km south

Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM)
Address: 2522 Southeast Jesse Butler Circle, Redmond, Oregon (OR), 97756, USA
Tel: +1 541 548 0646
Distance / direction: 130 miles / 209 km southeast

Car Rental

Located in the northwestern corner of Oregon, the city of Salem resides within the mid-Willamette Valley and is to be found part-way between Eugene and Portland, along the north-south route of Interstate I-5. Car rental is easy to arrange both in the city and at any of the outlying airports. Driving around Salem is a quick and easy way to reach attractions, although organizing a hire car really comes into its own if you are intending to travel outside of the city's boundaries and don't wish to be restricted by the timetables of public transport.

Book your Salem Municipal Airport Car Rental here.

Book your Portland Oregon Car Rental here.

Book your Eugene Airport Car Rental here.

Book your Rogue Valley International Medford Airport Car Rental here.

Book your Redmond Municipal Airport Car Rental here.

Buses

If you are looking to travel around Salem and neighboring Keizer by using bus transport, then you will find a very comprehensive city wide transit system in place, known as the Cherriots (Salem-Keizer Area Public Transit). Inexpensive bus fares and day passes mean that buses are the ideal choice for those on a budget. Numerous different routes connect destinations such as the Capitol Mall, the Capital Manor, the Chemeketa Community College, K-Mart, the Keizer City Hall, the Keizer Station, the Lancaster Mall, the NE Park and Ride, the Oregon State Hospital, Riverfront Park, Safeway, the Salem Hospital, the Salem Library, the State Fairgrounds, Walmart (North, South and Turner Road) and the Willamette University.

Buses travel from the downtown Salem Transit Center to the Wilsonville Westside Express Service (WES) train station each weekday (mornings and also afternoons). These buses are operated by a partnership between the Cherriots and the South Metro Area Regional Transit (SMART) of Wilsonville.

Trains

Tel: +1 503 588 1551
Salem is fortunate to be called home by an Amtrak train station, which sits on 13th Street Southeast, on the eastern side of the city center. Both the Cascades and Coast Starlight trains serve the city and transport passengers to a variety of destinations around Oregon and beyond. The Cascades train service travels between Eugene and Vancouver, making stops along the way at Salem, Portland and also Seattle. Daily long-distance Coast Starlight trains travel between Seattle and Los Angeles, stopping at the trains stations in Portland, Salem, Eugene, Sacramento and Santa Barbara.

Taxis

If you simply wish to travel short distances, between your hotel and the attractions of Salem, then taxis are a mode of transport that should be considered. Various established cab companies operate in the city and are just a telephone call away, although during busy periods, it makes sense to give a little notice ahead of your travel plans. Popular companies include:

Affordable Taxis

Around Towne Taxi LLC

Santiam Taxi LLC