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Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Pittsburgh to Altoona. Traveling by bus from Pittsburgh to Altoona usually takes around 3 hours and 36 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 30 minutes.
| Distance | 84 mi (136 km) |
| Shortest duration | 3h 30m |
| Cheapest price | $33.80 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from Pittsburgh to Altoona?
$33.80 is the average price of a bus ticket from Pittsburgh to Altoona. Taking a bus is an affordable way to make this trip. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.
Average prices by travel date
Over the next four weeks, the average ticket price of a bus from Pittsburgh to Altoona is expected to range from $33 to $39. If you are looking to travel to Altoona within the next week, you can find bus tickets starting from $33. The cheapest bus tickets in the next month are $33 and can be found on April 22, 2024.
Monthly average prices
The lowest bus ticket prices on this route can usually be found in April. That’s when the average price of a bus ticket is expected to be just $32 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Pittsburgh to Altoona in October, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to $40 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you can still score a ticket at a lower price.
Prices as travel date approaches
To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 13 days in advance to save up to $6.68.
What bus companies travel from Pittsburgh to Altoona?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Pittsburgh to Altoona 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 31m | $41.41 |
| Greyhound | 1 | 3h 36m | $35.85 |
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 Pittsburgh to Altoona start at $41. 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 Pittsburgh to Altoona every day, with the average journey taking around 3 hours and 36 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Altoona usually start from $34.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 36 minutes to cover the 136 kilometers from Pittsburgh to Altoona. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 30 minutes. 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.
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Altoona at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.
The first bus leaves at 9:00am and the last bus leaves at 9:00am. To see the times for all buses from Pittsburgh to Altoona, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are usually only 2 buses per day from Pittsburgh to Altoona. Both of these are direct buses, meaning that you do not have to worry about transferring buses at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Pittsburgh to Altoona; ticket prices start at $31.75.
City Information
Pittsburgh
Once the epitome of American industrial power, Pittsburgh has recently seen new waves of changes that turn it into a vibrant destination for visitors, especially for families. When in Pittsburgh, don’t miss out on the chance to hop on the Duquesne Incline and get to the top of Mount Washington. You will be rewarded with a panoramic view of where the three rivers collide, which offers plenty of excellent photogenic angles. Culturally-inclined travelers will find the Senator John Heinz History Center the perfect place to spend a day in. It does not just offer exhibitions on the city’s history but also on its baseball and football legacies, as well as Heinz products. Whether you are a sports fan or not, it is worthwhile to check out the Heinz Field, which provides a unique waterfront view.
Pittsburgh’s staple is pierogies, and some of the highest-rated eateries that include the dish on their menu are Pierogies Plus and Penn Brewery. These establishments serve other Eastern European dishes for your enjoyment as well. For traditional American eats, Eleven has an excellent selection.
Jefferson Lines, Greyhound, and Fullington Trailways all provide intercity transit service to Pittsburgh, and visitors can catch their buses at the Grant Street Transportation Center. You can also catch Amtrak trains at the nearby Pittsburgh Union Station. The main airport of the city is the Pittsburgh International Airport, which is located 10 miles west of Downtown. Another alternative is the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, 44 miles east of the city.
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.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Pittsburgh?
Image credit: An Errant Knight
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Pittsburgh Intermodal/Grant St Trans Ctr
The Grant Street Transportation Center on 11th St is the primary transportation hub of the city. It sits right across the street from the Amtrak Station, and its downtown location makes it convenient to access all of Pittsburgh. The station offers intercity bus services from popular lines such as Greyhound, Fullington Trailways, and Jefferson Lines, with destinations including New York, Philadelphia, and Washington. Ample parking is available at the station, and surrounding amenities include multiple hotels and takeout venues.
All bus stations in Pittsburgh:
Pittsburgh Intermodal/Grant St Trans Ctr
Where does the bus arrive in Altoona?
Main arrival station: 1231 11th Ave
All buses from Pittsburgh arrive at one main station in Altoona.
Bus stations in Altoona:
1231 11th Ave
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