Trains from Altoona to State College
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Trip Summary
There are 3 daily trains from Altoona to State College. Traveling by train from Altoona to State College usually takes around 7 hours and 59 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 4 hours and 42 minutes.
| Distance | 34 mi (54 km) |
| Fastest train | 4h 42m |
| Lowest price | €37.41 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Altoona to State College?
In the last month, €47.22 was the average price of a train ticket from Altoona to State College. This is a good price that is inexpensive compared to most train fares. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 25 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around €42.82 more than that for a same-day booking.
Average prices by travel date
Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Altoona to State College will vary between €47 and €74. Planning a train trip to State College within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Altoona over the next 7 days is €49. Make sure to book your trip as soon as possible as train fares tend to go up as you get closer to your travel date.
Monthly average prices
If you are trying to decide when to travel from Altoona to State College by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for February. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just €53 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Altoona to State College in December, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to €174 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you have a high chance of scoring a ticket at a lower price.
Prices as travel date approaches
If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 25 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to State College from Altoona will be about €42.82 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.
Which train should you take from Altoona to State College?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Altoona to State College. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 3 | 8h 0m | €64.02 |
Amtrak
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 3 Amtrak trains from Altoona to State College every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €37.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to travel by train from Altoona to State College during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, train carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.
Although masks are no longer required on public transportation, we stand behind CDC guidelines that encourage passengers to wear a mask over their nose and mouth while on the train or in stations.
Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.
Can you take a train all the way from Altoona to State College?
How long is the train journey from Altoona to State College?
The distance between Altoona and State College is approximately 34 miles, or 54 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 7 hours and 59 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 42 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.
When are trains the most crowded?
Monday 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 Monday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Thursday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
When are the first and last trains of the day?
The earliest train departs Altoona at 01:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 21:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Is there a direct train from Altoona to State College?
There are 3 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
City Information
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: Luke H. Gordon
Link to image attribution
Image credit: David Brossard
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Barta IV
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
350 S Illinois St
Union Station
Columbus, Ohio
200 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway
11 W Baltimore Ave
47 Walnut St
325 Depot St - Amtrak Station
2702 W Washington St
Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot
Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
Harrison Ave and Seton Hill Dr
Union Station - 400 S Houston St
329 McKinley Ave
Union Terminal - 1301 Western Ave
Plan your next adventure
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Continue by train from State College
- Train from State College to Bridgeport
€90+
- State College to Washington D.C. Train
€92+
- Train from State College to Chicago
€118+
- State College to Boston
€132+
- State College to Baltimore Train
€87+
- State College to Newark
€78+
- Train from State College to New York
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- Train from State College to Cleveland
€80+
- State College to Ardmore Train
€56+
- State College to Harrisburg Train
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- State College to Lancaster
€35+
- Train from State College to Mount Joy
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- Train from State College to Paoli
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- State College to Parkesburg
€42+
- Train from State College to Philadelphia
€57+
- State College to Pittsburgh
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- State College to South Kingstown Train
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- State College to Alexandria Train
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