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(Other Amtrak station options: Columbus, Wisconsin Dells, and Milwaukee)

400 W. Oneida St.
800-USA RAIL or www.amtrak.com (train arrival and departure information)

Trains Serving: The Empire Builder, Chicago-Seattle/Portland via Minneapolis-St. Paul. One train a day in each direction at 12:05 p.m. (to Milwaukee and Chicago) and 5:29 p.m. (to Seattle/Portland). Check Amtrak for today’s arrival and departure information. Check current printed timetables for time for future trips; schedules also available online at www.amtrak.com.

(For more information on this train, click here).

Directions: From Madison take I-39 to Highway 33 East into Portage. Look for the Amtrak sign at Dunn Street (before downtown), turn left (north) and take it to the CP Rail Office/Amtrak Depot at the end of the street.

Ticket Office/Hours: None. Buy onboard or in advance from your travel agency or Amtrak’s Web site, or by calling Amtrak at 1-800-USA RAIL. Allow time for mailing. Travel agencies in Portage are Free Spirit Travel on the northside in the Amcore Building, 2851 New Pinery Rd. (Highway 51 north), 608/742-5533, and Gold Star Travel in downtown Portage, 118 E. Cook St. (on Highway 33 east), 608/742-4141.

Checked Baggage: None, but onboard Amtrak personnel will be helpful in directing you to various luggage storage areas in the lower level or, if in coach, above your seats.

SERVICES

Parking: Free parking on the west half of the paved parking lot. This is a safe, well lighted station with many rail workers usually around as Portage is a Canadian Pacific freight railroad division point. Important: Do not park next to the depot as this is all reserved for rail workers and your car is subject to being towed.

Waiting room: none. Passengers may wait in an enclosed shelter at the west end of the platforn next to the tracks. The shelter is heated in winter; no air conditioning in summer.

Restrooms: Go in the CP Rail office through the door toward the tracks. This is not a waiting area, but we’re told it's okay to use the restrooms.

Pay telephone: Across the street at Street Rodders Bar & Grill (formerly Teddy K’s bar).

Restaurants in the area: Street Rodders Bar & Grill (formerly Teddy K's bar) is nearby at 1207 Dunn St. (608/742-3749). “It’s a friendly place to go,” says one of our members who lives in Portage. “If you're hungry, this is a good place to get a good meal, hamburger or snack that's cheap. Noon meal specials are always full, homestyle meals for $4.50 or less.” Hours are Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to close.

For Amtrak's own summary of services here, go to station services.

For more information, go to Portage Tourism Committee

BUS SERVICE

Portage is served by Greyhound Bus Lines. The station is located at Blystone Towing & Radiator, Inc., 1201 W. State Highway 33, 608/742-4228. For current schedules and to reconfirm the bus station location, check online at Greyhound . You will need local transportation between Amtrak and Greyhound.

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