Getting from Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) to downtown Pittsburgh comes down to three choices: the 28X Airport Flyer bus, a rideshare or taxi, or a rental car. There is no rail or ferry link to the airport, so every option uses the road. Here is how each one works and where to find it.
Key Takeaways
- The 28X Airport Flyer is the low-cost option. It runs seven days a week between the airport, Robinson Towne Center, Downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland, and the fare is $2.75.
- Uber and Lyft pick up directly across the road from Door 7 on the Ground Level.
- Pittsburgh International Airport has no metro rail or ferry service.
Airport Express Bus Services
Pittsburgh Regional Transit runs the 28X Airport Flyer, the public bus between the airport and the city. It is the cheapest way downtown and a good choice if you are traveling light.
Service Schedule
Buses leave PIT approximately every 30 minutes. They depart from outside Door 9 on the Ground Level of the pre-security terminal. Check the current timetable on RidePRT.org before you travel, especially for early-morning or late-night arrivals.
Fare Information
- Single fare: $2.75, valid for three hours with unlimited transfers.
- Day Pass: $7, valid from the start of service until the end of service that day.
- Cash: exact change only. Credit cards are not accepted on the bus.
- Cards and tickets: the ticket vending machine near Door 8 on the Ground Level takes credit cards. It sells daily, 7-day and 30-day tickets and adds value to a ConnectCard or ConnecTix.
- Mobile tickets: available through the Transit app or the Ready2Ride app.
Key Stops
The 28X serves Pittsburgh International Airport, Robinson Towne Center, Downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland. Oakland is the stop for the University of Pittsburgh.
Plan Your Trip
Use RidePRT.org or a transit app for live times. Pittsburgh Regional Transit customer service is at 412-442-2000. All 28X buses are wheelchair accessible.
Regional Buses
Several regional buses also stop at PIT. All of them board outside Door 9 on the Ground Level.
Route Information
- Fullington Auto Bus: departs daily at 2 p.m. for the Greyhound station in Pittsburgh, Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Penn State's main campus.
- Mountain Line Transit Authority (Grey Line): departs daily at 11 a.m., 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. for West Virginia, with stops at the Greyhound station in Pittsburgh and Washington, PA. Look for the bus with green stripes and the Mountain Line logo.
- GoBus (operated by Cardinal Transportation): picks up at the Commercial Curb at Door 9 at 2 p.m., seven days a week, for Cambridge, Columbus, Newark, St. Clairsville, Steubenville and Zanesville in Ohio, and Wheeling, West Virginia.
Schedule and Fares
GoBus tickets range from $5 to $20 per passenger depending on the destination. Book online or pay cash on the bus. For Fullington and Mountain Line fares and schedules, check with each company before you travel, since times can change.
Rideshare and Taxi Services
Uber and Lyft both serve the airport. Taxis, limousines and shuttles are also available from operators that hold an Allegheny County Airport Authority permit.
Pickup Locations
Request your ride in the app, then meet your driver directly across the road from Door 7 on the Ground Level.
Fare Estimates
Rideshare prices change with demand, time of day and traffic, so check the fare in the app before you confirm. For taxis and car services, the airport advises contacting the operator directly for the cost and the areas they serve.
Ride Booking Apps
Uber and Lyft are the main rideshare apps at PIT. zTrip appears on the airport's list of taxi service operators.
Planning Your Journey
Online Resources
Check the airport's ground transportation page and RidePRT.org before you fly. Schedules for the regional buses in particular are limited to a few departures a day.
Sustainable Travel Tips
The 28X is the lowest-impact way to reach the city. One bus replaces many individual car trips.
Accessibility Considerations
- All 28X buses are wheelchair accessible.
- ACCESS, a shared-ride, advance-reservation paratransit service for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, picks up outside Door 7 on the Ground Level. Contact the ACCESS office at least two weeks before you travel. The office number is 412-562-5353.
- If you arrive without an ACCESS reservation, the 28X and SuperShuttle Pittsburgh (within Allegheny County) are wheelchair-accessible alternatives.
Rental cars
Rental counters sit in the covered walkway between the Terminal Garage and the pre-security terminal. Pick-up and return are on the first level of the Terminal Garage.
Bottom Line: Airport to City Transportation
For the lowest cost, take the 28X Airport Flyer from Door 9. For door-to-door convenience, book Uber or Lyft and meet your driver across from Door 7. If you need an accessible ride, plan ahead with ACCESS or use the wheelchair-accessible 28X.
FAQs: Airport to City Transportation
What is the most affordable transportation option from Pittsburgh International Airport to downtown Pittsburgh?
The 28X Airport Flyer. The fare is $2.75, valid for three hours with unlimited transfers.
How often does the 28X-Airport Flyer run?
Buses leave the airport approximately every 30 minutes, seven days a week, from outside Door 9 on the Ground Level of the pre-security terminal.
Can I use rideshare services like Uber and Lyft at Pittsburgh International Airport?
Yes. Meet your driver directly across the road from Door 7 on the Ground Level.
Is there a train or ferry from Pittsburgh International Airport?
No. There is no metro rail or ferry service at the airport. Public transit to the city is the 28X bus.
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