Portland International Airport is the largest airport in Oregon. It is located south of the Columbia River, 19 kilometres drive from Downtown Portland and 17 kilometres from Vancouver, Washington. The airport accounts for 90 percent of Oregon’s air passenger travel, operating travel routes all over the USA, Canada, Europe and Japan.
Portland International Airport offers more facilities than most airports. It has been recognised as the top airport in the U.S. for shopping and dining on several occasions. The main terminal building has a mini movie theatre which seats 17 people. The cinema showcases short 15-minute local culture films from Pacific Northwest moviemakers. There is also a local distillery within the airport where passengers can purchase a souvenir from their stay in Oregon. Interesting landmarks can be discovered in the nearby city of Portland. Lovers of the great outdoors will adore a visit to Portland Japanese Garden with cascading waterfalls, tea houses and mountain views. Alternatively, Washington Park offers a variety of attractions to suit all travellers including hiking trails, a zoo and rose garden. Those who enjoy scientific exploration will relish a trip to Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. With a fascinating museum, planetarium and submarine tours it has something for everyone. The best shopping and dining in the city can be found around Downtown Portland, Pearl District and Pioneer Place.
It’s easy to reach the cities of Portland and Vancouver, Washington, via car or light rail. Driving to Downtown Portland takes around 45 minutes and Vancouver, 20 minutes. Directions are well signposted and simple to follow. The Light Rail service transports visitors to Downtown Portland with stops at Pioneer Square and Old Town Chinatown. There are also shuttle buses and bicycle facilities at the airport. Taxi and Uber are available.
The first airport in Portland was located north-west of Downtown, on Swan Island by the Willamette River. Construction began in 1926 when the Port of Portland purchased the land. Aviator Charles Lindbergh dedicated the new airfield when he flew into Portland a year later. As facilities and route networks expanded, the airport was moved to a new location where terminal buildings, runways and concourses were added. Today, the airport is a state of the art north-west hub, with further expansion plans in the pipeline. Portland International Airport transports over 18 million passengers each year.