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Trip Summary
There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Elizabethtown to Altoona. Traveling by train from Elizabethtown to Altoona usually takes 3 hours and 55 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Pennsylvanian train can make the trip in 3 hours and 6 minutes.
| Distance | 98 mi (157 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 6m |
| Lowest price | $36.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
Which train should you take from Elizabethtown to Altoona?
2 train services operate from Elizabethtown to Altoona. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 2 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 4h 19m | $56.25 |
| Amtrak Pennsylvanian | 1 | 3h 6m | $40.50 |
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 2 Amtrak trains from Elizabethtown to Altoona every day, as well as 0 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $47.
The Amtrak Pennsylvanian runs daily between New York City and Pittsburgh, passing through cities such as Philadelphia and Harrisburg. The trains feature basic amenities such as a cafe car and free onboard WiFi and offer checked baggage service. A trip from Elizabethtown to Altoona takes about 3 hours and 6 minutes on the Pennsylvanian.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Elizabethtown and Altoona is approximately 98 miles, or 157 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 55 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 6 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.
Trains departing from Elizabethtown to Altoona tend to have the most passengers on Saturday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Saturday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Saturday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Elizabethtown at 10:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 2:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 3 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Elizabethtown to Altoona. In contrast, taking a non-direct train would require you to transfer trains during your trip.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Altoona to Elizabethtown.
City Information
Elizabethtown
Image credit: Unsplash
Elizabethtown is a quaint borough in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The small town was mostly agricultural until the 1900s and is home to Elizabethtown College, which makes it popular among students. It's a fun destination for art, outdoor adventure, and community. Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts enjoy visiting the Conewago Recreation Trail and Old Trolly Line Park. The town is great for family-friendly activities, like a visit to the National Christmas Center Family Attraction & Museum and go-karts, arcades, and laser tags at Adventure Sports in Hershey. Elizabethtown is also home to the Winters Heritage House Museum, which holds the town's history.
Elizabethtown is known for having a vibrant wine scene, and you can enjoy wine tasting and vineyard tours at the Nissley Vineyards Winery & Estate and the Grandview Vineyard. Moo-Duck Brewery is also popular in the town. The city's agricultural roots have also helped evolve the Masonic Village Farm Market, Elizabethtown Fair Grounds, and Ironstone Ranch, which are excellent ways to find fresh produce and delicious food.
You can get to Elizabethtown when traveling by train from over 100 neighboring cities. Amtrak provides these at the Elizabethtown Train Station. The town offers bus routes for moving around and is walkable and bikeable.
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 is the train station in Elizabethtown?
Main departure station: 50 S Wilson Ave
There is one train station in Elizabethtown.
All train stations in Elizabethtown:
50 S Wilson Ave
Where is the train station in Altoona?
Main arrival station: 1231 11th Ave
Altoona has one train station.
All train stations in Altoona:
1231 11th Ave
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