Portland flights and travel guide

It may be known as the City of Roses but visitors arriving on cheap flights to Portland will be hard-pressed to find any thorns as they explore this Pacific coast city. In addition to its lush green setting among the coastal mountains, Portland has developed a reputation for its gardens but also enjoys a thriving arts scene and vibrant nightlife scene.

Outdoors enthusiasts have the hiking trails of Forest Park at their disposal and will doubtless enjoy lengthy treks through the Japanese Garden. The local climate is so mild and the rainfall in so abundant a supply that the area has developed a reputation as a paradise for gardeners. Semi-tropical plants can thrive here alongside the 400 or so varieties of roses. An extra bonus is doubtless knowing that while much of North America continues to dig itself out of the latest snowstorm, Portland may very well already be enjoying the arrival of spring.

Fresh arrivals to Portland when it’s raining – not exactly an uncommon occurrence - shouldn't be put off because there are many indoor things to do including art museums, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and exploring the enormous Powell’s bookstore. There are also several local theater companies, a symphony orchestra and opera company. Finally, perhaps it also makes sense to spend an evening or two in one of Portland’s many microbreweries and brewpubs – the sheer number of these to choose from has resulted in a new nickname for Portland: “Munich on the Willamette”.

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Portland climate

Portland has the mild rainy climate of the Pacific Northwest. It doesn't get that much rain in centimetres, but it has a lot of days when it rains some. The rainy season is roughly October to May. Summer is the sunniest season; that’s when most people take cheap flights to Portland. It can be hot, with temperatures reaching 32 degrees Celsius. Whenever you go, be prepared for at least a little rain and also for cool evenings even in summer.

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When to fly to Portland

Peak Season:

Portland is a considerably different place between May and October when the area gets a break from the more or less regular rain that falls here. Consequently, the majority of visitors to the city come during this time result in higher prices.

Off Season:

The local rainy season starts in October and lasts until May meaning that cheap flights to Portland will be considerably easier to find during this time. Provided that you do not mind a little rain you will not miss out on anything. If the weather is important, try to travel in the still off-peak periods of early May and late September.

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Getting downtown Portland

Portland International Airport (PDX) features access to a wide range of travel options including shuttles, public transit, taxis, limousines and rental car agencies. TriMet (Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon) is the public-transit system serving downtown Portland and the surrounding area.

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Getting around Portland

It’s easy to walk around compact downtown Portland. There are plenty of small parks to rest at and sidewalks are wide. The public transit system is very good. TriMet has buses and light rail, the Metropolitan Area Express (MAX). If you’re travelling in the free rail zone, a 300-block area downtown, a ride won’t cost you a thing. The Portland Streetcar services the cultural district and great areas for shopping and restaurants. The free rates apply to the streetcar too. If you hop on one of the vintage streetcars that run on the weekends, you still won’t have to pay.

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Portland insider information

• If you lose your way in downtown Portland, look for someone wearing bright green jackets. These are Portland Guides who are deployed around town to answer questions and provide directions.
• The Portland Saturday Market is no longer limited to Saturdays as it now stretches into Sunday and continues to be a favourite outing for both locals and visitors alike. It sees artists and craftspeople – about 300 of them - sell their creations. A wide variety of ethnic and unusual foods are also available.
• Portland is also known as the City of Roses so it is hardly surprising that the city celebrates a Rose Festival. Staged annually in June, the festival includes a grand parade, boat and car races, air show, arts festival, and of course a show featuring roses. Fleet Week, when a variety of US Navy, US Coast Guard, and Royal Canadian Navy ships are in port, is another June event that attracts travellers to take cheap flights to Portland. Some of the vessels provide river cruises while the ships in port are open to the public for free tours.
• Among Portland’s major attractions are the city’s many gardens and parks. The Japanese Garden is one of Portland’s most popular attractions and is considered to be the finest example of a Japanese garden in North America. Meanwhile the Portland Classical Chinese Garden is the largest outside China. Although they are very different, both have one thing in common: tea rooms that can come in handy after a day on your feet.
• With commanding views of the city, the Pittock Mansion was built in 1914 in the style of a French Chateau with innovative features such as a built-in vacuum cleaning system and multiple shower heads. Out front, the lawn makes a perfect picnic spot.
• It’s hard to imagine an island 16km northwest of downtown Portland being one of the area’s best-kept secrets but that is precisely what Sauvie Island is. Connected to the mainland by a narrow bridge that runs along a dyke bordered by houseboats as well as fruit and dairy farms, Sauvie offers visitors the chance to observe countless bird species, pick berries or just wander along a beach.

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Portland airports

The main airport for flights to Portland is:

Portland International Airport (PDX) (website: www.flypdx.com)

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