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State College to Harrisburg bus

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State College - Harrisburg Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 6 intercity buses per day from State College to Harrisburg. Traveling by bus from State College to Harrisburg usually takes around 3 hours and 43 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in just one hour and 45 minutes.

Distance62 mi (101 km)
Shortest duration1h 45m
Cheapest price$20.00
Trips per day4
Most frequent serviceFullington Trailways
Bus lines4

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from State College to Harrisburg

(Based on 19 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Jared

December 23, 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: It was easy-going and I was relaxed through the whole trip. Cons: N/A. Tips: Always make sure to arrive and board the bus on time.

4.0

Joseph

July 20, 2023- Solo travel

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: Bus was only 20 minutes late for once! One of the two charging sockets on my seat actually worked! Cons: Lower back support in seats. All charging outlets working. Timely arrivals and departures. You call that "working" WiFi?! Scoff! Tips: Bring a backup battery in case the outlets don't work. 4 of the six recent bus trips I've taken have had non-working chargers.

5.0

Peter

February 20, 2023- Vacation

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: Overly fantastic and very comfortable. Cons: Perhaps place sanitizer at entrance to reduce risk of contracting COVID -19. Tips: Provide Wi-Fi.

5.0

Willeen

January 29, 2023- Business

OurBus

Thank you for allowing me to travel back and fort in one day

5.0

Jared

November 19, 2022- Visiting family

Fullington Trailways

Pros: I was very relaxed throughout my bus trip. Cons: N/A. Tips: Be sure to arrive at your Bus on time.

How much is a bus ticket from State College to Harrisburg?

Bus tickets for a trip from State College to Harrisburg cost $21.29 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 prices by travel date

$45$30$15AprMay

If you're planning to travel by bus from State College to Harrisburg in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $21 to $38. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on April 30, 2024.

If you’re looking to travel to Harrisburg this week, bus tickets are available starting at $21.

Monthly average prices

$50$40$30$20$10MJJASONDJFMA
If you're on the hunt for the cheapest bus tickets from State College to Harrisburg, mark your calendar for April. During this period, you can expect to find the lowest average ticket price of the year, just $29. However, taking the bus from State College to Harrisburg during November is not so cheap. This time of year, ticket prices often reach an average of $43. The best way to find deals on a trip in November is to plan ahead and book your bus ticket as early as possible.

Prices as travel date approaches

$75$60$45$30$153020100

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 27 days in advance to save up to $26.98.

What bus companies travel from State College to Harrisburg?

There are 4 bus lines from State College to Harrisburg available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 3 daily trips, Fullington Trailways usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway11h 50m$24.00
Fullington Trailways311h 43m$74.00
Greyhound21h 48m$30.91
OurBus32h 0m$24.18
  • 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 State College to Harrisburg start at $24. On average, there are 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

  • Originally founded in 1908, Fullington Trailways is one of the oldest transportation companies in the United States. Today, it's one of the leading intercity bus carriers within the Trailways network and provides cheap, reliable bus service to several metropolitan destinations, including New York City and Philadelphia. All coaches are equipped with clean restrooms, and Fullington Trailways earned a 2022 Wanderu Passengers' Choice Award for their helpful crew.

  • 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 2 bus trips from State College to Harrisburg every day, with the average journey taking around 1 hours and 48 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Harrisburg usually start from $22.

  • OurBus is an intercity bus company based in New York City. OurBus provides cheap bus tickets to some of the most popular cities in the United States. All OurBus coaches come equipped with a generous roster of amenities, including extra legroom, freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and complimentary bottled water. With cheap bus tickets starting from $20, OurBus is one of the best ways to travel by bus from State College to Harrisburg if you are looking for comfort at a good price.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 43 minutes to cover the 62 miles from State College to Harrisburg. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 45 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.

Because many passengers travel from State College 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, 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 5:00am and the last bus leaves at 2:00pm. To see the times for all buses from State College to Harrisburg, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 6 scheduled buses that travel from State College to Harrisburg every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 4 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from State College to Harrisburg; ticket prices start at $24.00.

City Information

State College

State College, PA - SCL-0

Image credit: emilee rader

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State College, PA - SCL-1

Image credit: Unsplash

State College, PA - SCL-2

Image credit: Unsplash

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.

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 State College?

Main departure station: 152 N Atherton St.

Buses to Harrisburg leave from 5 stations in State College.

All bus stations in State College:

  • 152 N Atherton St.

  • State College (Airport - SCE)

  • Bus Terminal - 152 N Atherton St

  • State College Regional Airport Parking

  • University Park Airport Parking Lot

Where does the bus arrive in Harrisburg?

Harrisburg Transportation Center  - HARHTC-0

Image credit: Adam Moss

Link to image attribution
Harrisburg Transportation Center  - HARHTC-1

Image credit: David Wilson

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Harrisburg Transportation Center

The Harrisburg Transportation Center (HTC) is a national historical landmark, with a portion of the station dating back to 1887. The station still serves as the city’s primary transportation hub and welcomes over half a million passengers annually. The Harrisburg Transportation Center is the departure point for Amtrak’s Keystone Service to New York City and a stop on the Pennsylvanian route from New York City to Pittsburgh. Besides train service, bus service on Jefferson Lines, Fullington Trailways, and Greyhound operates through this station. Located in downtown Harrisburg, the station is a quick walk from Capitol Park and some of the city’s top restaurants and shopping.

All bus stations in Harrisburg:

  • Harrisburg Transportation Center

  • Harrisburg Transportation Center

  • Harrisburg Transportation Center

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Harrisburg by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Need a return trip from Harrisburg to State College?

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