Key Highlights
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Pittsburgh Union Station, which many people also call Penn Station, is the only train station still in use for passengers in the city.
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It sits at 1100 Liberty Avenue and makes it easy for you to reach downtown Pittsburgh.
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The place is a true historic site, with a striking rotunda that’s on the National Register of Historic Places.
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This train station is an important stop for Amtrak routes, like the Pennsylvanian and the Floridian.
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The building was first made for the Pennsylvania Railroad and is a fine example of Beaux-Arts style.
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The Pittsburgh Amtrak station has the main services people need, like getting tickets, a spot to wait, and help with bags.
Introduction
Welcome to your guide for train travel in Pittsburgh. This place has a strong railroad past, and at the center is the great Pittsburgh Union Station. If you are planning a trip or just want to know more, it helps to understand this main Amtrak station. This can make your travels easy. From the nice building itself to how people use it for travel now, the station is an important part of Pittsburgh history. In this guide, you will find what you need to know for your 2026 trip, so you can make the most of your time at the union station.
Overview of Pittsburgh’s Train Stations
You may want to know if Pittsburgh has more than one train station or just one main hub. In the past, the city had many busy stations. Now, passenger service happens at just one spot. The main place is Union Station. People also call it Pennsylvania Station. This is the only spot in the Pittsburgh area where Amtrak passengers get on and off trains.
Union Station handles all the big transportation routes for people going in and out of Allegheny County. Now, let’s look closer at the station’s role as the main train hub in the city and see if there are any other stations left.
The Role of Union Station as the City’s Central Hub
The main train station in Pittsburgh is called Union Station. It is the place where most Amtrak travelers come in or leave when in the city. You can find the station in downtown Pittsburgh, so it is easy to get to from many spots in the city. This train station is the main stop for people who travel by rail in this area.
When you reach the Pittsburgh station, you will see that it has what you need for your trip. The station staff will help you with tickets, your bags, or any questions you have about your ride.
All train stops in and out of the city come through Union Station because it is a big part of how people go around Pittsburgh by train. If you are going east or west by train, you will start your trip at Union Station.
Are There Other Passenger Train Stations in Pittsburgh?
Today, Union Station is the only surviving station in Pittsburgh that still has passenger train service. In the past, the city had many grand train stations, but now those stations are closed to passengers. Union Station is now the main place for Amtrak in Allegheny County.
This historic train station shows the city’s strong railroad past. There were other train stations in southwestern Pennsylvania, but most have been torn down or are now used for other things. Some of these old stations include:
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Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad Station
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Baltimore and Ohio Station
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Wabash Pittsburgh Terminal
These stations were run by other big train lines. Now, all passenger train service goes through Union Station. This makes travel much easier for people.
Exploring Pittsburgh Union Station
When you walk near Pittsburgh Union Station, many people also call it Penn Station. It can feel like you are going back in time. This place is a real part of Pittsburgh history. Daniel Burnham, who is well-known, designed this building. You can find it on the National Register of Historic Places.
This station is not only a spot to get on a train. It is a true landmark that you should see. You will notice the unique architectural parts that make it stand out. It is in a prime spot, right in the middle of the city.
Historic Significance and Architectural Features
Union Station, also called Penn Station, is one of the most important old railroad stations in Allegheny County. This station is famous for its big and beautiful Beaux-Arts design by Daniel Burnham. He wanted to make a big building that would make people say wow, and it still does that today. Union Station took the place of the first Union Station, which was lost in the 1877 railroad strike.
The rotunda in the building stands out the most. It is a grand piece of design that was built to cover horse-drawn carriages long ago. This rotunda became part of the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, and the rest of the building was added in 1976.
The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation gave the station special attention. They helped keep the station building as it is today. The floors at the top are now apartments named The Pennsylvanian. But, on the ground floor, Union Station still works for travelers, just like it did when it first opened.
If you want to know more, just check out this place for yourself. It connects the old days and today in a way that stands out for people in and around Allegheny County.
Union Station’s Location and Nearby Attractions
Union Station is at 1100 Liberty Avenue, so it’s right in the center of downtown Pittsburgh. This great spot makes it easy for you to see all the main sights as soon as you get here.
Amtrak has its passenger services in an area on the ground floor. It’s simple to get inside from the street. When you step out of the station, you’ll see that many important places are not far. You can walk or get on a bus and be there fast.
There are a lot of good spots near the station that are easy to go to. Some well-known ones are:
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The David L. Lawrence Convention Center
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The busy Steel Plaza area
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Places for learning and culture like the University of Pittsburgh
Amtrak Services at Pittsburgh Union Station
The Amtrak station in Pittsburgh is an important place for rail travel. It sits on one of the country’s main lines. At this station, you can get trains to big cities on the East Coast and in the Midwest. Amtrak Pittsburgh helps people travel both short and long distances.
There are two main train services at this station: the Pennsylvanian and the Floridian. These trains go to places like New York and Chicago. They make it easy to travel from Pittsburgh. Now, let’s take a look at the routes and ticket options if you plan to go in 2026.
Major Routes and Destinations from Pittsburgh
From Pittsburgh, you have direct access to some fantastic destinations thanks to two major Amtrak routes. These services make it easy to travel for business or leisure without the hassle of driving. The travel time varies, but the journey offers scenic views as you cross rivers like the Ohio River.
The Pennsylvanian route is perfect for trips to the East Coast, connecting you directly to New York City with stops in key Pennsylvania cities along the way. For longer journeys, the Floridian service travels along a main line connecting Chicago with Miami, making Pittsburgh a crucial stop in between.
Here’s a quick look at the primary routes from Pittsburgh:
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Route Name |
Key Destinations |
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Pennsylvanian |
New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg |
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Floridian |
Chicago, Washington, D.C., Miami |
Ticketing and Travel Information for 2026
Booking your train ticket for a 2026 trip from Pittsburgh is easy. You get plenty of simple choices, so planning your trip will not be hard. The fastest way is to book on the internet, but there is help at the station if you want it.
You can get your tickets on the official Amtrak website or with the Amtrak app on your phone. On these, you can choose where you want to sit, check when trains go, and keep your ticket right on your phone. If you want to buy the ticket at the station, just visit the ticket office. There will be a ticket agent there who can help you.
To reach the station, many people like to use public travel. The station connects well to Pittsburgh Regional Transit, and you find some bus stops close by. There are a few more things for you to think about for your trip:
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The ticket office is open only during set hours, so make sure you look at those times before you visit.
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Some rules are special, like for unaccompanied child travel.
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You will often get better prices if you book early.
Amenities and Facilities at Union Station
Pittsburgh’s Union Station has all the basic things you need for a good trip. You will find helpful station staff right when you get there. The place is made to fit what today’s travelers look for.
If you want to sit and wait, the waiting room is there for you. You can get help with your bags at the baggage service. There is also a spot for your car if you need it. Let’s look at the ways union station makes things easy for people and what other nice things you can use there.
Accessibility and Bike-Friendly Features
Making travel simple for everyone is important at Union Station. The station takes care of people who need help moving around. All traveler services are set up on the ground floor. This means you will not deal with stairs or big obstacles, so getting around is easy.
The station staff are ready to help at any time. If you need help getting to your platform or have any questions about getting around, just ask them. The staff will listen to what you need and will be glad to help.
If you like to ride bikes, the station is made for you too. There are bicycle spots, so you can keep your bike safe while you travel. This is a good choice for people who want to use a bike and the train for their trip around the city.
Parking, Waiting Areas, and Traveler Comforts
Union Station wants to make your travel time better by giving you some helpful things at the station. Union Station does not promise you its own parking lot, but you can find a lot of public parking options close by. There are garages that are not far away, so you will not have to walk much.
When you go inside, you will see a waiting room where you can sit and feel good while you wait for your train. Check the open times so you know when the waiting room is ready for you. The times line up well with early morning and evening train times.
There are other things at this station that can help you too. These things for travelers are:
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A full-service baggage service to help with your bags.
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An on-site ticket office with people who can help you with booking.
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Restrooms you can use if you need to.
This way, Union Station makes sure you have what you need for the travel day, from using the ticket office to finding good public parking or even taking care of your bags with the baggage service, and having a nice waiting room to pass the time.
Conclusion
To sum up, Pittsburgh’s train stations, like Union Station, give people both old style beauty and up-to-date features. The stations help connect many routes. They also have many things to make your trip smooth and nice. If you are stopping for a short time or you plan to see more in the city, knowing what the stations offer will help your trip go well. Try to see places close by and use your time in this lively city. If you need more details or have any questions, you can always ask!
Frequently Asked Questions
What public transportation connects to Union Station?
Union Station has good service from Pittsburgh Regional Transit, which used to be called Port Authority of Allegheny County. This station is a main stop for the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway. There are also many other bus stops close by that you can get to with a short walk. If you want to use the light rail, you can go to Steel Plaza, which is not far from union station. From there, it is easy to head into downtown Pittsburgh and other nearby places.
How can I contact the Pittsburgh Amtrak Station?
You can call Amtrak’s customer service at 1-800-872-7245 to get in touch with the Pittsburgh Amtrak station. If you want more help, you can use the Amtrak app for booking or information. When you are at the amtrak station, the station staff at the ticket office can help answer your questions about your travel.
Where can I find user reviews or traveler experiences about Pittsburgh train stations?
You can find reviews and stories from travelers about the Pittsburgh station on big travel websites and online forums. You may also see some customer stories on the Amtrak website. Reading what other people say will help you get the facts about the station layout, all the things you can use there, and how helpful the station staff can be.