Downtown Pittsburgh's skyline across the river on a clear day, with the UPMC sign atop the U.S. Steel Tower at center

Pittsburgh International · Ground transportation

PIT to downtown: every way, compared.

The 28X bus for $2.75, rideshare, taxi or a rental. Here is where each one picks up at the new terminal, how long it takes, and a tool that prices your ride.

Compare my ride Next 28X

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Short answer

The cheapest way from Pittsburgh International to Downtown is PRT's 28X Airport Flyer: $2.75, about 37 to 46 minutes on weekdays, leaving from outside Door 9 on the Ground level. Uber and Lyft pick up across from Door 7, also on the Ground level. By car it is about 19.2 miles and 29 minutes without traffic.

Verified

Getting into the city, by the numbers

$2.7528X fare, with 3 hours of free transfers on a card or mobile ticket.

37 to 46minutes by 28X to Downtown on weekdays.

19.2road miles from the terminal curb to Downtown.

Door 9Ground level: 28X, regional buses and charters board here.

Interactive

Bus, rideshare, taxi or car?

Pick a neighborhood and how many of you are traveling. Add real quotes from your apps to see the cheapest option.

PIT to the city: cost and time

Going to People Rideshare quote ($)Your own quote, not ours Taxi quote ($) Rental: daily rate ($) Rental: parking per day ($) Days with the car

28X busExact change in cash, or tap a card or mobile ticket. Fare per person, per trip.

$2.7537 to 46 min

Uber or LyftEnter the price your app quotes to compare.

your quoteabout 29 min

TaxiEnter a quote from a permitted taxi company to compare.

your quoteabout 29 min

Rental carEnter a daily rate (and parking at your hotel) to compare.

your quoteabout 29 min

Downtown: about 19.2 road miles and 29 minutes from the terminal curb with no traffic (OSRM estimate).

Bus times come from PRT's 28X timetable (effective June 28, 2026), PIT to Liberty Ave at Wood St for Downtown, Forbes Ave at Atwood St for Oakland, and Fifth Ave for Shadyside. Car times are OSRM road-routing estimates with no traffic. We never show a made-up rideshare or taxi price: enter a real quote.

Checked October 19, 2026 against the airport's own site. PGH Nonstop is independent and is not the airport.

Timetable

When is the next 28X?

Every scheduled trip, both directions. Going to the airport, the 28X stops Downtown on Seventh Ave at Smithfield St and in Oakland on Fifth Ave at University Pl.

Next 28X Airport Flyer

Direction

Day

Leaving after

Leaves PIT	Downtown	Oakland	Shadyside
12:05 p.m.	12:45 p.m.	12:58 p.m.	1:09 p.m.
12:36 p.m.	1:16 p.m.	1:29 p.m.	1:40 p.m.
1:07 p.m.	1:47 p.m.	2:00 p.m.	2:11 p.m.
1:38 p.m.	2:18 p.m.	2:31 p.m.	2:42 p.m.

Scheduled times from PRT's 28X timetable effective June 28, 2026. Sunday service also runs on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Traffic can make buses late; check PRT's real-time info on the day.

At the new terminal

Where each ride picks up

28X bus

Outside Door 9, Ground level. Buy daily, 7-day or 30-day tickets with a credit card at the ticket machine near Door 8, or use the Transit or Ready2Ride apps. Operators carry no change. All 28X buses are wheelchair accessible.

Uber and Lyft

Across the road from Door 7 on the Ground level. Coordinators on the commercial curb can help.

Taxis and black cars

The Ground level commercial curb. The airport publishes a list of permitted limo, black car and taxi operators; call them for prices.

Rental cars

Counters line the covered walkway between the terminal and the Terminal Garage; cars are on the garage's first level. Rental car guide.

Hotel shuttles

Hotel courtesy shuttles pick up just outside Door 8, per the airport's directory. The Hyatt Regency runs its own shuttle. Hotel guide.

Getting picked up

Friends and family pick up on the Arrivals (middle) level outside baggage claim, and can wait free for an hour in the Free Wait Lot.

Penn State, WVU and Ohio

Beyond the city: regional buses from Door 9

Service	Goes to	Leaves PIT	Contact
Fullington Auto Bus	Greyhound station in Pittsburgh, Indiana University of PA, Penn State main campus	2:50 p.m. daily	800-858-8555
Mountain Line (Grey Line)	West Virginia, plus the Pittsburgh Greyhound station and Washington, PA	11:45 a.m., 5:45 p.m. and 9:05 p.m. daily	304-296-3869
Cardinal Transportation for GoBus	Cambridge, Columbus, Newark, St. Clairsville, Steubenville and Zanesville, OH; Wheeling, WV	2:18 p.m. daily (tickets $5 to $20)	888-954-6287

Times and fares as listed on the airport's ground transportation page, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm with the operator before you travel.

One of Pittsburgh's yellow Three Sisters bridges crossing the Allegheny River toward downtown on a blue-sky day

Staying downtown?

Bridges, rivers and a bus to the door.

From the 28X stop at Liberty Ave and Wood St, most of Downtown is a short walk. PRT's light rail is free between First Avenue and Allegheny stations.

Back to the airport guide

Photo: Pexels

Questions

How do I get from Pittsburgh airport to downtown?

The cheapest way is PRT's 28X Airport Flyer bus for $2.75. It leaves from outside Door 9 on the Ground level and takes about 37 to 46 minutes to Downtown on weekdays. Uber, Lyft and taxis take about 29 minutes without traffic for the roughly 19.2-mile drive.

How much is the 28X bus from Pittsburgh airport?

$2.75 a ride, valid for three hours with free transfers when you pay with a card or mobile ticket. A day pass is $7. Cash riders need exact change, and cash fares do not include transfers.

How often does the 28X run from the airport?

On weekdays, buses leave PIT every 27 to 43 minutes from 4:28 a.m. until the last trip at 12:18 a.m.. On weekends and holidays they leave every 31 minutes from 4:44 a.m. to 12:53 a.m..

Where is the Uber and Lyft pickup at Pittsburgh airport?

On the Ground level, directly across the road from Door 7. Ground Transportation Coordinators work the commercial curb if you need help.

How much is an Uber from Pittsburgh airport to downtown?

Prices change with demand, so we do not publish a number. Check your app for a live quote and enter it in the comparison tool above to see how it stacks up against the bus.

Where do I catch a taxi at Pittsburgh airport?

On the Ground level commercial curb. The airport lists Pittsburgh Taxi (412-887-5080), River Transportation and zTrip (412-777-7777) as permitted taxi operators; contact them for fares.

Does the 28X go to Oakland?

Yes. It continues past Downtown to Oakland (about 49 to 59 minutes from PIT on weekdays), Shadyside and East Liberty.

More of the PIT guide

Sources