Portland Aerial Tram

We moved to Portland a few months ago and kept seeing the Aerial Tram when we were driving around. I had some out of town visitors which was all the excuse I needed to finally give it a try.
It’s super quick, but worth the views and the experience. We went around 4 on a Saturday and it was pretty dead so we basically had the cabins to ourselves. It does swing a bit on one of the interchanges and it can be a little bumpy when they are docking, so be prepared. Other than that it is a smooth ride and the views are gorgeous, be sure to come on a sunny and clear day!

When they were building the tram I would drive by on my way to work and see them putting up the supports and slowly work the cable… I was excited to ride it. I think it was worth the hype around it (though the cost over runs…)
I’ve ridden it a couple times, once when it first opened and again with a relitive, I would have ridden it more but find many people aren’t up for the ride.
It is a smooth ride, it taken many trips a day for a long time now. So I think the safety is proven. I know though that phobias aren’t about reason. So if it scares you. I am sorry because I know what you are missing! It is a quick ride up with amazing views.

Go by Tram!
The Portland Aerial Tram connects South Waterfront to Marquam Hill. OHSU’s main campus is on Marquam Hill and the Tram transports thousands of people each day back and forth between the upper OHSU and lower OHSU properties. Most of the riders are in affiliation with OHSU.
At a construction cost of $ 57 million the Tram spans 3,300′, rises 500′ and travels approximately 22 mph during the 4 minute trip.
The Tram has 2 cabins and each can hold up 79 people.
The views at the top are breathtaking on a clear day with the city, waterfront and Mt Hood views. The Tram at night is spectacular. The lower Tram Tower has a color scheme at night and the color schedule was designed by artist Anna Valentina Murch. It’s so majestic at night. Check out the photo!
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From the minute I drove into Portland from PDX and looked up to see the aerial tram I had to go on it. For $ 4.50 (round trip) you take a short ride up to OSHU but get to see an amazing view of the city. It was absolutely gorgeous. 3 stars because it was super short for the price, and on the way back it was packed full (I am pretty sure lots of ppl that work at the hospital use it to commute to work so I think we came at a busy time). But it was definitely something I’m glad I did as I played tourist in the area. The views were spectacular and since I’m a total nerd I loved exploring OSHU while I was up there

Before I set out to write this review and when I was riding the Portland Aerial Tram, I thought of the motto «embrace your inner James Bond.» After all, you can hear the James Bond 007 theme in your head as you ride this futuristic contraption which only agent «Q» could have invented. As it turns out, this business is domiciled on SW Bond Ave., so I haven’t missed the mark!
The Portland Aerial Tram is NOT part of Trimet. Passages on it are included in the Trimet monthly pass, but not in the daily pass. At $ 5, I thought that would have been too good to be true, given that the aerial tram fare alone is $ 4.50 (round trip — they only charge in one direction).
I rode on the aerial tram on September 12, 2015, «Catch the Orange Day,» which was a great day on which all venues of metro area public transportation were free to the public to celebrate the inauguration of MAX Orange line service and the sun was shining brightly. Needless to say, the Portland Aerial Tram ride was a treat and the icing on the cake.
The aerial tram car is very smooth, moves quickly, provides fantastic views across the river and toward Mt. Hood, and gives its passengers that thrill of a slight dip and swinging upon passing the intermediate pylons on the trek, harkening to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. It also takes people up to «Pill Hill,» where OHSU and other teaching hospitals and clinics are located.
That leads to the question that not only I ask: how and why was OHSU (Oregon Health Sciences University, the state’s medical/​dental school and the hospitals) placed up on a significant hill accessible by curvy 2 lane roads when, in all other cities, they are usually close enough to the downtown core and located on major arteries? Maybe a person should overlook that and just focus on the cool ascent and descent to and from the Vancouverized area of Portland that is the South Waterfront and OHSU.
That said, I give this venue four stars. It is largely for a select audience, either those working at, needing services from, or visiting someone on «Pill Hill» … or tourists looking for breathtaking views of the city. Again, it is not part of Trimet and it is not included in the daily pass. However, the Portland Streetcar, which takes a person to the base of the aerial tram IS included in the Trimet daily pass. Thus, while other cities have some sort of a special treat in their transit systems, such as Lisbon’s elevadores (funiculars) or Boston’s water shuttle from the Navy Yard at the top end of the Freedom Trail back to its waterfront, Portland’s special treat would be an old fashioned choo-​choo train ride on WES from Beaverton to Wilsonville during the weekdays.
At any rate, whether a local or a tourist, one should spend the $ 4.50 at some point and take the Portland Aerial Tram. And if it’s a clear day with an obstructed view of Mt. Hood, then the trek would be something someone must do!

I happen to be one of the lucky Portlanders who has a badge that lets me ride the tram for free! I will tell you, even though I ride it twice everyday, I never get sick of the views. The best is when you get kids, or out of towners on board who remind you just how awesome the ride really is! If you are visiting, and want the best views of the city, and distant mountains, this is the best place to stop.

HAHA.
Read Unilocal reviews and do research before trying to do all the great instagram pictures you see online or else, you’d look like a joke.
I was telling my roommate about how I wanted to ride the tram and she was giving me a hard time because we’re both scared of heights. I told her it’s a blast and the scenery would be totally worth the ride. When we go to to tram area, we saw it going on, and I was pointing it out like hey look, it’s enclosed and somebody is inside with us, no worries. I mean, before we arrived, I had some questions and I was wondering why I didn’t see more trams near the downtown Portland area.
Little did we know, it’s actually a COMMUTER tram– not a tourist tram because everybody that got off when we were in line had business suits or doctor’s coats on and little badges with their faces on it. We laughed so hard because we had no idea (and yes, we definitely looked like tourists squealing about everything). You purchase your tickets at the bottom for 4.5 an adult which gives you a ride up and a ride down. It’s probably less than a minute ride going up towards Oregon Health and Science University (where people commute to). Mind you, this was the best minute and breath taking 60 seconds and 4.5 that we’ve spent so far on this trip. The entire downtown was within bird’s eye view. All the bridges and the giant river, and the most amazing part was you can clearly see that the city was built AROUND nature and not bulldozed right through it.
We went near sunset and it was just a gorgeous skyline with cotton candy skies. When we arrived to OSHU, we got to look around and it was so beautiful. I can’t deserve the experience to you but it was amazing. We were surprised by OSHU since we’ve never heard of it, and now we’re standing in the middle wondering why we didn’t come to Oregon sooner and attended school year (we’re both in the medical field– or want to be).
The ride down is already free. Make sure if you’re in town just to make a pit stop here on the tram because it includes breathe taking views. Just remember, people use this as transportation and it’s not a tourist trap! Thanks Portland!

Loved this. It was a short ride about 10 minutes! $ 4.50 round trip per person. Definitely beautiful to see all of Portland from up there!!! It was a beautiful day to be up there blue skies and sunshine.
Awesome Portland!

Maybe it was because my family had the tram all to ourselves along with the very kind operator…
Maybe it was because we went just at sunset and the skyline was filled with pink and purple clouds…
Maybe it was because I LOVE heights…
But this was one of the highlights of my trip to Portland. A really beautiful view of the city.

If you read the background story behind the building of the tram, and the engineering that went into the project, it is a cool experience.
The views are nice at the top. It is a short ride, though. Don’t expect a «ride». The tram is a functional transportation vehicle.
I DO recommend watching the tram video on the website to learn the history. It makes for a nice experience. Worth $ 4.50 and 30 minutes of your time.

Super cool, super fun. A little difficult to figure out the logistics if you dont have a credit card handy (lost mine). But me and the kids had a great time on the tram. It was my first time as well. Free for the 5 year old and John and I cost around $ 4.50 each. It’s a short ride, 4 minutes I think. But it feels like longer and is really exciting. Do they have a pass where you can ride all day? We walked around the hospital a bit but didnt venture out too much before taking the return trip. They LOVED it. Other than a second or 2 of naseaau, so did I!

Definitely one of the highlights, although super touristy parts of Portland. I had wanted to visit OHSU for a long time and I definitely used this opportunity to travel up the tram to see the most talked about hospital in the greater Northwest region. Initially, I thought it would be a very romantic journey to go up the big hill with my GF and take in all of the Portland scenery, however, after realizing that this is one of the most popular mode of public transportation and they crowd as many people into the gondola before every ride, it soon became less of a romantic journey and more of how to avoid reeking of other people’s BO. That being said, if you are an OHSU staff, it is free and there is a dedicated free bike valet system at the bases.
Despite all the crowding, I definitely recommend taking this brief tour at least once, although it isn’t free ($ 4.5 round trip) and at least visit the hospital (if you’re a nerd like me). Just be careful, there’s a pretty big drop going up in the beginning.

If you are visiting Portland this is a nice attraction that doesn’t take too long or cost a lot of money. The tram was designed to take doctors from one hospital to the other quickly but tourist can enjoy the views of the Portland skyline for a meager 4 dollars and 50 cents. Parking is pretty straight forward and you can be on to your next tourist attraction in 20 mins or less. The ride only takes 5 mins in each direction and you can stay on the tram to return to the bottom.

Absolutely loved this tram ride! It’s really a great way to see the beautiful view of Portland! This tram is so cheap! Its such a treat for the hospital employees on top of the mountain to have to take this tram to work! I absolutely love that people get of the tram and bike home! It’s very refreshing to see that Portland is definitely not like LA!

The operator was pretty cool. And… that’s it. Someone had recommended we check it out. We expected to go further and see more of the city. But it’s just a way to get from the parking area to the hospitals. I think it’s 4 $ round trip. Last ride down at 5. Nothing special.

Definitely an awesome way to see an aerial view of Portland.
Purchase a ticket at the bottom for $ 4.35/pp round trip and it’s a four minute drive up.
Another beautiful view of this amazing city=)
#chel#loves#Portland

You get a nice view for just a few bucks.
Definitely worth it.
Also you can explore the medical center a bit which is decently interesting.

My friend really wanted to ride the tram as we were going around town like tourists. When we tried to look up information on the tram, there wasn’t too much that we found online that was helpful for tourists (i.e, does it matter which end we board on?). Luckily, we decided to board at the bottom because apparently you can’t board at the top (i think?).
It only costs $ 4.35 for a roundtrip ticket. The views going up were spectacular and breathtaking. It was fun going over the freeway and watching the cars zip on by. We took a couple of pictures at the top and then headed down. Literally in and out in less than 30 minutes.
I do wish there was a little bit more for tourists to do (or at least more information posted on what tourists can do while visiting the tram), but understandably it’s a mode of transportation to and from the different OSHU sites for patients and hospital staff.

The Portland Aerial tram is a great way to check out picturesque views.
It takes you up to OSHU, which provides a fantastic view of the city and the surrounding area although it is a hospital. If you could bring some sandwiches, they have pretty little areas for visitors where you can lounge and enjoy.
If you want postcard perfect views, Portland Aerial Tram will take you there.

Honestly, there was no reason not to do this at around $ 4 roundtrip. It is an actual mode of transportation for those that need to go up and down from the hospital perched up on the hill, but I rode this as a tourist and even though the trip is moderately quick, it offered views of the surrounding area and Portland that I probably wouldn’t have seen elsewhere.
Who doesn’t like dangling vicariously from a super small cable several hundred feet in the air anyway?
Even my friend who is afraid of heights did it and really enjoyed it. There was a small part toward the middle where the tram lurches forward as it makes it’s way over the top of the first tower that kind of made us want to lose our lunch and also made us lose our footing just a little as it’s not a gradual change but after that, the tram just continues up to the upper tower. You can stay as long as you like before making your way back down, so really take in the view and the breeze.
I did mention the trip is only $ 4 roundtrip but if you drove a car, you also have to pay for parking.
I did wish the trip was a little longer, but I would definitely do this again when I’m in Portland again.