The Pennsylvanian is a daily daytime Amtrak train from New York City to Pittsburgh via Philadelphia, covering 444 miles (715 kilometers). On their way to New York, the trains traverse the Appalachian Mountains, pass through Pennsylvania’s capital Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania Dutch Country, suburban and downtown Philadelphia, and New Jersey. The full train travel lasts around 9 hours: 1.5 hours between New York and Philadelphia, 2 hours between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, and 5.5 hours between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.
The Pennsylvanian follows the same Amtrak-owned Philadelphia to Harrisburg Main Line as the Keystone Service trains, but travels farther west via the Pittsburgh Line via Altoona and the Allegheny Mountains, finally arriving in Pittsburgh. The Main Line and Pittsburgh Line together form the Keystone Route, a federally authorized route for high-speed train service.
Schedule Highlights:
Trains leave New York City in the late morning.
Trains leave Pittsburgh in the early morning.
The travel time between New York City and Pittsburgh is around 9 hours.
The travel duration between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg is around 5.5 hours.
Visit Amtrak.com to get the most recent schedules and timetables.
The Pennsylvanian Route
Popular Stops
- Pittsburgh
- Harrisburg
- Lancaster
- Philadelphia
- New York City
Train Stations Served by the Pennsylvanian
- New York, NY – Moynihan Train Hall (NYP)
- Newark, NJ – Penn Station (NWK)
- Trenton, NJ (TRE)
- Philadelphia, PA – William H. Gray III 30th St. Station (PHL)
- Ardmore, PA (ARD)
- Paoli, PA (PAO)
- Exton, PA (EXT)
- Lancaster, PA (LNC)
- Elizabethtown, PA (ELT)
- Harrisburg, PA (HAR)
- Lewistown, PA – Amtrak Station (LEW)
- Huntingdon, PA (HGD)
- Tyrone, PA (TYR)
- Altoona, PA (ALT)
- Johnstown, PA (JST)
- Latrobe, PA – Amtrak Station (LAB)
- Greensburg, PA – Amtrak Station (GNB)
- Pittsburgh, PA – Union Station (PGH)
How to book tickets online, by phone, or at a station
Booking Online
- Amtrak’s Website: This is the most convenient and often the cheapest way to book your ticket.
- Visit Amtrak’s website (https://www.amtrak.com/)
- Enter your departure and arrival stations, travel dates, and number of passengers.
- Choose your preferred departure time and train service (Pennsylvanian).
- Select your seat and any additional options (e.g., baggage, meals).
- Proceed to checkout and provide payment information.
- You will receive a confirmation email with your e-ticket.
Booking by Phone
- Amtrak Reservations: Amtrak offers a dedicated reservations line for those who prefer to book over the phone.
- Call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245)
- Provide your travel details to the agent.
- Choose your preferred departure time and train service.
- Select your seat and any additional options.
- Provide payment information.
- The agent will confirm your booking and provide a confirmation number.
Booking at a Train Station
- Amtrak Ticket Offices: You can also purchase tickets in person at Amtrak ticket offices in major stations along the Pennsylvanian route.
- Visit an Amtrak ticket office during operating hours.
- Provide your travel details to the ticket agent.
- Choose your preferred departure time and train service.
- Select your seat and any additional options.
- Pay for your ticket and receive a paper ticket.
The most popular Amtrak Pennsylvanian routes
The most popular Amtrak route in Pennsylvania is from Pittsburgh to New York. Traveling from Philadelphia to New York and Pittsburgh to Lancaster is very popular.
Top Amtrak Pennsylvanian routes
| Route | Price | Duration | Daily Trips |
| Pittsburgh to New York | $72 | 9h 20m | 1 |
| Philadelphia to New York | $24 | 1h 25m | 1 |
| Pittsburgh to Lancaster | $51 | 6h 11m | 1 |
| Harrisburg to Pittsburgh | $47 | 5h 29m | 1 |
| Philadelphia to Harrisburg | $34 | 1h 44m | 1 |
| Harrisburg to New York | $55 | 3h 45m | 1 |
| Philadelphia to Lancaster | $20 | 1h 8m | 1 |
| Philadelphia to Pittsburgh | $60 | 7h 23m | 1 |
| Philadelphia to Johnstown | $50 | 5h 29m | 1 |
Onboard Experience
Types of seating
Coach Class Seat
Coach class is available on all Amtrak trains and has wide, reclining seats with plenty of legroom, no middle seat option, at-seat trays, reading lamps, and power outlets. There are restrooms in each vehicle. Amtrak Guest Rewards customers who travel in Coach get 2 points per dollar spent.
Business Class Seat
The Amtrak Pennsylvanian Train offers business-class seats. Enjoy the unique benefits of riding in Business Class, a premium, upgraded experience on most corridor trains across the Amtrak system. Business Class offers more legroom, a broad and comfy seat, and a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage. Additionally, Business Class travelers earn a 25% bonus on Amtrak Guest Rewards points.
Comparing the Pennsylvanian to Other Amtrak Routes
| Factor | Pennsylvanian | Northeast Corridor | Keystone Service | Lake Shore Limited |
| Scenery | Diverse landscapes (mountains, rural, cities) | Limited scenery (mostly urban) | Similar to Pennsylvanian (shares part of the route) | Varied scenery (Midwest, Northeast) |
| Amenities | Varies by class (Wi-Fi, power outlets, food service) | Extensive amenities (high-speed Wi-Fi, dining car) | Varies by class (similar to Pennsylvanian) | Varies by class (similar to Pennsylvanian) |
| Frequency | Multiple daily departures | Very frequent service | Less frequent than Northeast Corridor | Less frequent than Northeast Corridor |
| Travel Time | Varies by destination | Generally faster travel times | Varies by destination (potentially similar to Pennsylvanian) | Generally longer travel times |
| Ticket Prices | Varies by season and booking time | Generally higher fares | Varies by season and booking time (potentially similar to Pennsylvanian) | Varies by season and booking time |
Cost Comparison: Amtrak Pennsylvanian vs. Other Transportation Options
Understanding the cost-effectiveness of the Amtrak Pennsylvanian is crucial for travelers. Let’s compare it to other popular transportation options:
| Factor | Pennsylvanian | Northeast Corridor | Keystone Service | Lake Shore Limited |
| Scenery | Diverse landscapes (mountains, rural, cities) | Limited scenery (mostly urban) | Similar to Pennsylvanian (shares part of route) | Varied scenery (Midwest, Northeast) |
| Amenities | Varies by class (Wi-Fi, power outlets, food service) | Extensive amenities (high-speed Wi-Fi, dining car) | Varies by class (similar to Pennsylvanian) | Varies by class (similar to Pennsylvanian) |
| Frequency | Multiple daily departures | Very frequent service | Less frequent than Northeast Corridor | Less frequent than Northeast Corridor |
| Travel Time | Varies by destination | Generally faster travel times | Varies by destination (potentially similar to Pennsylvanian) | Generally longer travel times |
| Ticket Price (USD) | $30 – $200 (coach) | $75 – $500 (coach) | $40 – $250 (coach) | $50 – $300 (coach) |
Additional Considerations
- Discounts: Amtrak offers student, senior, and group discounts.
- Luggage: Consider baggage fees for airlines and potential storage costs for other modes.
Note: Prices and travel times may fluctuate based on factors such as weather, day of the week, and time of booking. It is important to compare costs and options for specific routes and dates.
By carefully evaluating these factors, travelers can make informed decisions about the best transportation option for their needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Amtrak Pennsylvanian provides WiFi on its trains. Although most Amtrak Pennsylvanian journeys will have WiFi as stated, certain trains may not have it, and onboard WiFi may lose connectivity in rural regions. We suggest that you bring a book or download a movie simply to be safe. Amtrak Pennsylvanian WiFi is typically best utilized for browsing the web, reading emails, and talking with friends; don’t expect to binge-watch your favorite program.
Yes, Amtrak Pennsylvania trains have power outlets. You can usually find one or two outlets in each row of seats, so be a careful passenger and check to see if your seatmate wants to charge their electronics as well. Onboard power outlets allow you to charge both computers and USB devices using a USB power adapter, which is usually included with most phones and tablets.
Because Amtrak Pennsylvanian may sometimes employ alternate train units, not all trips are guaranteed to include power outlets. We recommend bringing a power bank to charge your phone for longer trips longer than 2 hours, just in case.
Amtrak Pennsylvanian typically has 100 scheduled train journeys each day. However, the actual departure and arrival hours vary according on the day and route. To get the precise timetable for your journey, utilize the search function on this page.
No, Amtrak Pennsylvanian does not provide will-call tickets. Purchase your tickets online and ensure that you have everything you need to board before arriving at the station.
Yes, Amtrak Pennsylvanian asks you to submit your ID to an official before boarding the train. Make sure you have government-issued identification that matches the carrier’s standards. Alternative IDs, such as a college ID, will not work.
Yes, there are restrooms aboard Amtrak Pennsylvanian trains. The restrooms are rather basic, with a toilet, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer. Most restrooms do not have running water. Please exercise care and hang on to a rail when using a restroom on a moving vehicle.
Amtrak Pennsylvanian offers food to keep you satisfied throughout your journey. Make sure to have a credit card and some cash in case you get hungry.
To board the Amtrak Pennsylvanian train, no paper ticket is required. When you make a reservation, you will be emailed an eTicket via email. As you board, use your smartphone to show the ticketing agent your eTicket.
Amtrak Pennsylvanian offers extra legroom seating for customers who prefer extra space. The extra legroom may vary between train lines, but it is always a good idea to have extra legroom, as it allows passengers to feel more comfortable and spacious.