Major city · United States
Hillsboro, OregonHillsboro
Base in Hillsboro only if you have a car or Intel business: 1 night for the Rice Museum and Orenco, otherwise sleep in Portland and day-trip out.
Hillsboro is Washington County's seat and Oregon's tech suburb — Intel plants, farmland edges, a walkable MAX-served downtown and the Orenco Station district. It is 20-30 min by car or about 45-60 min by MAX Blue Line from downtown Portland. Sights are spread out and low-key: a rocks-and-minerals museum, wetlands, a pinball arcade, minor-league baseball and a county fair. Treat it as a half-day or one-night add-on to Portland, not a standalone destination.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May-Sep (dry, warm, fair and baseball season)
- avoid Nov-Mar (rain, grey skies); late Jun-Aug heat spikes
- Airports
- PDX · HIO
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Hillsboro, Oregon911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Hillsboro, Oregon, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyHillsboro is a low-crime suburb and generally safe by day and night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPDX Portland International (About 32 km (20 mi) northeast; MAX Blue Line to a Red Line transfer at Beaverton or Gateway…PDX Portland International (About 20 mi (32 km) northeast; MAX Blue Line to a Red Line transfer at Beaverton or Gateway…
- Getting aroundMAX Blue Line links downtown Hillsboro, Orenco, Beaverton and Portland, with a Red Line transfer for PDX.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4-6
- Street or quick mealMexican plate (tacos, enchiladas)$15-20
- BeerCraft beer, pint$7-9
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Rideshare, 5 km (3.1 mi)Rideshare, 3.1 mi (5 km)$12-18
- Metro or bus rideMAX or bus single ride$2.80 (check)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Rice Northwest)$10 adult; $7 ages 5-17 (check)
- Budget bedFamily room or suite (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$150
- Mid-range bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$260
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$250
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PDX Portland International (About 32 km (20 mi) northeast; MAX Blue Line to a Red Line transfer at Beaverton or Gateway, roughly 1 h 15 min-1 h 45 min total (check)) · HIO Portland-Hillsboro Airport (General aviation and private flights only; no scheduled commercial service)PDX Portland International (About 20 mi (32 km) northeast; MAX Blue Line to a Red Line transfer at Beaverton or Gateway, roughly 1 h 15 min-1 h 45 min total (check)) · HIO Portland-Hillsboro Airport (General aviation and private flights only; no scheduled commercial service)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Care*
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Care
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Care
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May, Sep. Mixed: Jun–Aug. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Dec (19 rain days), driest Jul (4). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Hillsboro, Oregon: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
18 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
15 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
17 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
15 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
13 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
18 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
19 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
MAX Blue Line links downtown Hillsboro, Orenco, Beaverton and Portland, with a Red Line transfer for PDX. TriMet buses 46, 47, 48 and 57 fill the gaps; 57 runs 24/7 toward Forest Grove and Beaverton. Beyond the MAX corridor, a car is faster and often necessary. Hillsboro uses its own quadrant street grid (NE/SE/SW/NW from 1st Ave and Main St), not Portland's numbering.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Portland
goDoor to door: About 45-60 min
MAX Blue Line from Hillsboro Transit Center to downtown Portland
The obvious reason to base here; runs late, no parking needed.
Beaverton
goDoor to door: About 15-20 min
MAX Blue Line, 3-5 stops east
Transit hub and shopping; pairs with a Hillsboro day.
Forest Grove
goDoor to door: About 30-40 min
TriMet bus 57 from Hillsboro Transit Center
Small historic college town; bus runs 24/7.
Aloha
cautionDoor to door: About 20-30 min
TriMet bus 57 via TV Highway
Mostly residential; only worth it for a specific stop.
Tigard
cautionDoor to door: About 30-45 min
Drive via OR-8/US 26, or bus 57 then transfer
Suburban shopping and river parks; a car makes it worthwhile.
Oregon City
cautionDoor to door: About 45-60 min by car
Drive via I-205, or MAX to Portland then bus
Historic mill town; better as a Portland-side trip.
Wilsonville
skipDoor to door: About 40-50 min
Drive via I-5 south
No direct transit link; little for a visitor without a reason.
Lake Oswego
skipDoor to door: About 40-50 min
Drive via I-5 and OR-43
Lakeside town best done from Portland, not as a Hillsboro loop.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown Hillsboro / Hillsboro Transit Center
Walkable core, MAX Blue Line and buses at the door; best for a car-free night.
Orenco Station
Denser, newer district with restaurants and shops around the MAX stop; good for a couple of nights.
Tanasbourne / NE Cornell Rd
Chain hotels, malls and US 26 access; needs a car for everything else.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70-110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $130-200 excl. bed
- High
- $250+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain-hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| MAX Blue Line, Hillsboro to Portland, one way2 × US$3 · check | US$6 |
| TriMet day pass2 × US$6 · check | US$11 |
| Rideshare, downtown Hillsboro to Tanasbourne1 × US$18 · check | US$18 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$48 |
| Trip total≈ US$262 per person per day, bed included | US$523 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4-6 |
| Burger and fries at a tavern | $15-22 |
| Mexican plate (tacos, enchiladas) | $15-20 |
| Craft beer, pint | $7-9 |
| MAX or bus single ride | $2.80 (check) |
| Rideshare, 5 km | $12-18 |
| Museum entry (Rice Northwest) | $10 adult; $7 ages 5-17 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter rain is persistent; Jackson Bottom trails can flood — call ahead for conditions.
- Jackson Bottom Wetlands: no dogs, no bicycles.
- Distances between sights are suburban; without a car, budget 30-60 min per hop on buses.
- Hillsboro Airport (HIO) has no commercial flights — book PDX instead.
- Sales tax is not added at the shelf in Oregon: the price you see is the price you pay.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Hillsboro, OregonHillsboro
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Hillsboro; most countries keep embassies or consulates in Washington, DC, Seattle or San Francisco (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- MAX Blue Line, Hillsboro to downtown Portland: about $2.80, 45-60 min (check)
- TriMet day pass: about $5.60 (check)
- Rideshare, downtown Hillsboro to Tanasbourne: $15-20 (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Excuse me — Excuse me
- Where is the MAX station? — Where is the MAX station?
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
Oregon has no sales tax; tipping 18-22% at sit-down restaurants is expected.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Hillsboro, Oregon. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May-Sep (dry, warm, fair and baseball season) · avoid Nov-Mar (rain, grey skies); late Jun-Aug heat spikes · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 8 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PDX: last MAX Blue/Red connections field-checked, rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: downtown and Transit Center, Orenco Station, Tanasbourne, the airport and fairgrounds strip.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Rice Museum, Jackson Bottom, Next Level Pinball, Hillsboro Ballpark) and eat pages with last orders.
- Fair-week and rain fixtures so gates A-D can go green.
Sources
- officialCity of Hillsboro — official site
- officialPort of Portland — Portland-Hillsboro Airport (HIO)
- officialTriMet — MAX and bus schedules
- officialRice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals
- officialHillsboro Farmers' Markets
- officialWashington County Fair Complex
- secondaryWikivoyage: Hillsboro (Oregon), revision 5299371 (CC BY-SA 4.0)