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Journey Information
There is one daily bus from Altoona to Harrisburg. Traveling by bus from Altoona to Harrisburg usually takes around 3 hours and 5 minutes, but some buses might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled depending on traffic conditions.
Distance | 81 mi (131 km) |
Shortest duration | 3h 5m |
Cheapest price | $34.30 |
Trips per day | 1 |
Most frequent service | Greyhound |
Bus lines | 2 |
What bus companies travel from Altoona to Harrisburg?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Altoona to Harrisburg that you can compare and book on Wanderu. However, each company only runs one bus per day.
Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak Thruway | 1 | 3h 6m | $61.77 |
Greyhound | 1 | 3h 5m | $38.38 |
Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from Altoona to Harrisburg start at $62. On average, there are 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.
Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 1 bus trips from Altoona to Harrisburg every day, with the average journey taking around 3 hours and 5 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Harrisburg usually start from $34.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 5 minutes to cover the 131 kilometers from Altoona to Harrisburg. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
"Because many passengers travel from Altoona to Harrisburg at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go."
There is usually only one bus per day from Altoona to Harrisburg. It leaves the station in Altoona at 12:00pm each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.
There is usually only one bus per day from Altoona to Harrisburg. Fortunately, this happens to be a direct bus, meaning that you do not have to get on a different bus at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Altoona to Harrisburg; ticket prices start at $35.69.
City Information
Altoona
Image credit: Carol VanHook
Link to image attributionAltoona is a central Pennsylvania city located deep in the Alleghany Mountains, with prominent landmarks that appeal to art and history buffs and rail fans. The Horseshoe Curve National Historic Landmark is a popular engineering site, while Altoona features skiable mountains with challenging slopes at Blue Knob and locations for mountain biking, tennis, swimming, and golf. Train fans can also check out the Railroaders Memorial Museum, while other landmarks include the Cathedral of Blessed Sacrament, Mishler Theatre, and Jaffa Shrine Center. Families can visit Lakemont Park with roller coasters, picnic spaces, and water slides.
Beer lovers will enjoy Altoona for its breweries and festivals, like the Annual Beer Wine Spirits Festival, Rails & Ales Brewfest, and the Annual Tyrone Hops & Vines Festivals. The city is always bustling with things to do, like live music shows, spoken word nights, yoga, and flower workshops. There are also several breweries to visit and bustling nightlife in the downtown area.
Hop on an Amtrak train or Amtrak Thruway bus to get to the city from anywhere in the country. Within Altoona, the Altoona Metro Transit provides bus and paratransit services to residents.
Harrisburg
As the capital city of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg offers numerous historic buildings with impressive architecture that will leave you in awe. Among the most impressive ones is the state’s Capitol Complex itself. With a dome that reminisces St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the building features as many as 475 rooms filled with exquisite artworks and statues. History fans should also consider visiting the State Museum of Pennsylvania, which follows the history of the state from the beginning of time to this day. Another must-see destination is the National Civil War Museum, which is one of the largest museums dedicated to the Civil War. If too many history lessons stress you out, a cruise along the Susquehanna River on the Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat will definitely help you unwind.
Harrisburg’s grilled dishes are some of the most famous staples in the city, and among the best establishments is Progress Grill, which has been serving customers since the late 1940s. For some really creative pizzas, The Pizza Grille will be a good choice.
The Harrisburg Transportation Center is the central hub for intercity travel. At the lower level, you can catch a bus by Greyhound, Jefferson Lines or Fullington Trailways to other Pennsylvanian cities such as Allentown and Philadelphia. Travelers can also take Amtrak trains to popular destinations like New York and Philadelphia on a daily basis. The city’s principal airport is Harrisburg International Airport, which is located in Middletown, southeast of the city.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Altoona?
Main departure station: 1231 11th Ave
Most buses depart from the main station in Altoona.
All bus stations in Altoona:
1231 11th Ave
Where does the bus arrive in Harrisburg?
Main arrival station: Harrisburg Transportation Center
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Harrisburg.
Bus stations in Harrisburg:
Harrisburg Transportation Center
Harrisburg Transportation Center
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