Table of Contents
Getting around in Portland
BUSES: The bus system in Portland is good, and Trimet offers a trip planner in which you can type things like "Portland International Airport" and "University Place Hotel" (our location) and get detailed instructions (it's about one hour by bus & light rail to get between the airport and the hotel).
Although it is easiest to use the Trip Planner, see also the maps & schedules.
STREETCAR: You can download the Portland Street Car PDF -- the streetcar is a good way to get around "downtown," to the conference center, or to the Airport MAX Red Line.
FARES and FAIRLESS ZONE map: Bus, streetcar, and MAX line fees are according to the number of zones traveled: 1-2 zones $2.00 (all RCC-related areas), 3 zones $2.30 (airport area). Save your fare receipt to transfer onto different public transportation--usually good for two hours, any direction. The new WES rail travels from Wilsonville through Tualatin into Beaverton, for a faster ride.
University Place Hotel is located in the south section of downtown and is in the "Fairless Zone"--the largest and only one of its kind in the country! All public transportation in downtown Portland (north boundary is Amtrak/Greyhound) is free. However, when you board a bus, you must tell the driver you're riding "Fareless Square." There usually isn't anyone to announce this to on the streetcar or MAX line but be advised. If you continue past the Fairless Square area, the bus driver or train conductors will announce this and expect you to pay the fare.
AMTRAK or GREYHOUND: If you are coming in from the Amtrak train station or Greyhound bus terminal, get on bus 9 (to Powell) at NW Broadway/NW Hoyt, and exit at NW 11th/NW Glisan. Board the Portland Streetcar to South Waterfront. Exit at SW 3rd/SW Harrison, then walk southwest to SW 1st/SW Lincoln. Fare: free, within Fareless Square.
AIRPORT: If you're coming from the airport, go to the west end of the street level terminal and board the Max Red Line (light rail) to City Center & Beaverton. Exit in downtown Portland at SE Morrison/SE 1oth (Galleria). Walk one block northwest to SW Alder/SW 11th to board Portland Streetcar to South Waterfront. Exit at SW 3rd/SW Harrison, then walk southwest to SW 1st/SW Lincoln. You also board bus line 17 Holgate--runs south along SW 2nd, Exit at SW1st/SW Lincoln, walk west for the last leg of your trip, arriving at [[University Place Hotel. Fare: 3 zones = $2.30 (save your fare receipt to transfer onto other public transportation)
Planes
Good resources for locating cheap tickets:
Kayak
mobissimo travel
As of October 2008, airfare was about $275 round trip from CHI to PDX.
Trains
Amtrak services Portland; station details are available [http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Station/Station_Page&code=PDX here]. As of October 2008, tickets via rail cost between $300 and $500 round trip from Chicago to Portland.
Bus
If you are taking the bus, Greyhound services Portland. Station information is located http://www.greyhound.com/home/TicketCenter/en/terminal.asp?city=790845 here. The best rates tend to be available one month prior to your date of departure.
Ship
How do you take a ship to Portland?
Automobiles (including sharing rides)
The culture of RCC is very collaborative, and we encourage people to organize travelling together with other attendees (RecentChangesCamp itself was in part conceived in a WikiVan). Offer what you can, and ask for what you need here:
North
Olympia, Seattle, British Columbia/Western Canada, Alaska
Who, where/when, how to contact, asking or offering:
- ??
South
Corvallis (or closer), Eugene, Ashland, the Bay Area, Nevada/AZ/NM, Mexico, South America
Who, where/when, how to contact:, asking or offering
- Nick Burrus from Arvin, CA to Portland. fishwithnickburrus@gmail.com
- Lonny Grafman, needs a lift from Arcata (Humboldt County, CA) to Portland and back.
- ??
East
Bend, OR; Colorado; Chicago; the rest of the U.S. and Canada
Who, where/when, how to contact, asking or offering:
- ??
West
Oregon/Washington coast
Who, where/when, how to contact, asking or offering:
- ??
Other ways to share a ride
To share a ride with someone who may not be going to RecentChangesCamp (unless you talk them into it!) try Portland Craigslist rideshare and/or the Craigslist.org for your own city.
Other ideas?
