Lowest Prices
We partner with the top bus & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
Best Travel Options
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Altoona to State College. Traveling by train from Altoona to State College usually takes around 6 hours and 15 minutes, but some trains might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
| Distance | 34 mi (54 km) |
| Fastest train | 6h 15m |
| Lowest price | $72.42 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Which train should you take from Altoona to State College?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Altoona to State College. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 6h 15m | $72.42 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 1 Amtrak trains from Altoona to State College every day, as well as 0 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $72.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Altoona and State College is approximately 34 miles, or 54 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 15 minutes,
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Friday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Altoona to State College. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Friday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Friday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Altoona at 7:00am and arrives in State College around 6 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
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.
State College
State College is a college town, hence the name. It is home to Penn State University, one of the largest universities in the United States. As expected, most of the businesses in the area are there to serve the academic clientele, particularly the professors and students living in the area (if you’re one of them, you might want to check out our recommended destinations for college students).
One of the most popular events in State College is the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, which draws over a hundred thousand visitors each year. Aside from Penn State University, the city's major attractions are The Arboretum and the Beaver Stadium.
If you're into culture, history, and the arts, you should check out the Palmer Museum of Art, Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania, and Centre County Historical Society.
While at State College, be sure to try out the waffles at The Original Waffle Shop. Other good places to dine are the Berkey Creamery, Allen Street Grill, and Federal Taphouse. Finally, for some good drinks, stop by Otto's Pub and Brewery.
Getting around State College is a breeze. The local airport, University Park Airport, is a mere 5 miles away from campus. In addition, Greyhound, Fullington Trailways, and Amtrak Thruway run regularly scheduled bus services from State College to Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, New York City, and beyond.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Altoona?
Image credit: David Brossard
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Barta IV
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Luke H. Gordon
Link to image attributionMain departure station: 1100 Liberty Ave
Pittsburgh’s Union Station on Liberty Ave is a historic building that opened in 1903. Enter the station through enormous outdoor arches and pass beneath the spectacular rotunda dome with a central skylight. Once inside, you can catch the Capitol Limited train on its daily service from Chicago to DC or hop aboard the Pennsylvanian as it begins the journey to New York. Located in Pittsburgh’s Golden Triangle, the station offers easy access to the nearby bus terminal, parking, restaurants, and the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
All train stations in Altoona:
1100 Liberty Ave
Where is the train station in State College?
Main arrival station: Bus Terminal - 152 N Atherton St
The State College Bus Terminal, commonly referred to as the Greyhound station, is on the southern part of the Penn State University campus. The stop has a bit of covering for waiting passengers, but otherwise, you'll want to find most food and amenities elsewhere on campus. Although there is an adorable photo stand-in for anyone wanting a cute family photo while waiting for your bus to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, or anywhere else in Pennsylvania and beyond.
Train stations in State College:
Bus Terminal - 152 N Atherton St
Get around town with Moovit
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more