Cheap bus tickets from Harrisburg to Altoona

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Bus from Harrisburg to Altoona: Journey Information

There are 2 intercity buses per day from Harrisburg to Altoona. Traveling by bus from Harrisburg to Altoona usually takes around 2 hours and 55 minutes, but some buses might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled depending on traffic conditions.

Distance
81 mi (131 km)
Shortest duration
2h 55m
Cheapest price
$27.98
Trips per day
2
Most frequent service
Greyhound
Bus lines
2

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Harrisburg to Altoona Bus Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Harrisburg to Altoona?

There are usually 1 daily train trips available from Harrisburg to Altoona.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price$34.49CheaperAvg. Price$48.13
Daily Trips2Daily Trips1
Duration2h 55mDuration2h 36mFaster
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How much is a bus ticket from Harrisburg to Altoona?

Bus tickets for a trip from Harrisburg to Altoona cost $32.05 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Average bus ticket prices from Harrisburg to Altoona by travel date

$45$30$15AugAug

If you're planning to travel by bus from Harrisburg to Altoona in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $29 to $44. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on August 25, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Altoona this week, bus tickets are available starting at $30.

Average bus ticket prices from Harrisburg to Altoona by month

$50$40$30$20$10JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from Harrisburg to Altoona is usually cheapest in June, when the average ticket price is only $32. If you're planning to take the bus from Harrisburg to Altoona during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $39. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$10020

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 8 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $6.84 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Harrisburg to Altoona?

There are multiple buses that travel from Harrisburg to Altoona, including Greyhound, Amtrak Thruway. Here is what you should know about the 2 most popular bus lines:

BUSDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Greyhound12h 55m$33.62
Amtrak Thruway12h 55m$42.00
  • 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 Harrisburg to Altoona every day, with the average journey taking around 2 hours and 55 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Altoona usually start from $27.98.

    Passengers boarding a Greyhound with their cheap bus tickets, ready for a comfortable and budget-friendly trip - WanderuA Greyhound bus parked, waiting for passengers with cheap bus tickets ready to travel - WanderuComfortable seating inside a Greyhound, perfect for those traveling with cheap bus tickets who want to make the most of their journey - WanderuA passenger using the power outlets available on Greyhound to access their affordable bus ticket digitally - WanderuA passenger uses Greyhound's onboard wifi to enjoy their intercity bus trip - WanderuA bus awaits passengers who have bought cheap Greyhound tickets - Wanderu
  • 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 Harrisburg to Altoona start at $42. On average, there are 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Harrisburg to Altoona

Bus tickets for a trip from Harrisburg to Altoona cost $32.05 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

There are usually only 2 buses per day from Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg to Altoona; ticket prices start at $34.

TRIPS PER DAY

2

DIRECT TRIPS

2

The bus takes an average of 2 hours and 55 minutes to cover the 81 miles from Harrisburg to Altoona. 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.

DISTANCE (MI)

81

DISTANCE (KM)

131

The first bus leaves at 11:25am and the last bus leaves at 11:25am. To see the times for all buses from Harrisburg to Altoona, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

EARLIEST BUS

11:25am

LATEST BUS

11:25am

Because many passengers travel from Harrisburg to Altoona 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, Saturday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Saturday ticket is the way to go.

City Information

Harrisburg

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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.

Altoona

Altoona, PA, US - ALT-0

Altoona 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 Harrisburg?

Main departure station: Harrisburg Transportation Center

Harrisburg has two bus stations with service to Altoona.

All bus stations in Harrisburg:

  • Harrisburg Transportation Center
  • Harrisburg Transportation Center

Where does the bus arrive in Altoona?

Main arrival station: 1231 11th Ave

All buses from Harrisburg arrive at one main station in Altoona.

All bus stations in Altoona:

  • 1231 11th Ave

Need a return trip from Altoona to Harrisburg?

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