Pittsburgh International Airport: where to stay, areas and…

Since November 2025 the new terminal has cut the walkway that connected the airport to the Hyatt Regency: today even the closest hotel can only be reached by shuttle. For a dawn flight or a short layover it's still the most convenient choice, because Pittsburgh has no direct train and downtown is 25-30 minutes by car, even 50 at rush hour. With more time to spare the city rewards the trip: the historic downtown, Station Square on the river with its historic incline, or Oakland, the university district with the Carnegie museums, each offer very different evenings.

Airport area

Free shuttles on request: the Hyatt Regency's has replaced the old covered walkway since 2025 (4-5 minutes), while the Drury Inn's covers Settlers Ridge in a few minutes.

Best for: Anyone with a dawn flight, a late-night arrival or a short layover who doesn't want to rely on traffic into the city.

Pros

A shuttle at any hour, without depending on buses or traffic on Route 60
Just minutes from check-in to the gate even with the new terminal

Cons

Since 2025 the shuttle is always needed: you can no longer walk to the gate
Around it only interchanges and parking lots, nothing to do on foot in the evening

Recommended hotels in this area

Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International Airport: The only hotel on airport grounds; having lost the walkway with the new terminal, it now connects with a free shuttle running round the clock.
Drury Inn & Suites Pittsburgh Airport Settlers Ridge: Free shuttle on request to the airport, breakfast and an evening aperitif included every day; indoor pool for anyone who has hours to kill before a night flight.

See more hotels in this area →

Downtown Pittsburgh

City centre · Bus 28X Airport Flyer in 40-60 minutes at city fare, or taxi/rideshare in 25-30 minutes, up to 50 at rush hour.

Best for: Anyone who wants the historic downtown, the theaters of the Cultural District and restaurants within walking distance of the hotel.

Pros

Point State Park, theaters and restaurants reachable on foot
Many restored historic hotels, with good service standards

Cons

No direct train from the airport: only a slow bus or a car
Hotel parking is almost always paid and not cheap

Recommended hotels in this area

Omni William Penn Hotel: A historic 1916 hotel a few minutes on foot from Point State Park, with 597 rooms and a gym; among the most appreciated downtown for cleanliness and location.
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh by IHG: A boutique hotel in the former Fidelity Trust building, with a free evening aperitif; reviews praise the décor and central location.

See more hotels in this area →

Station Square

Neighbourhood · Same times as downtown (taxi/rideshare 25-30 minutes, bus 28X about 40-60 minutes); from here you cross the river on foot over the Smithfield Street Bridge.

Best for: Anyone who wants the view of the three rivers and the historic incline without giving up restaurants and evening venues.

Pros

Monongahela Incline 3 minutes on foot, with a view over Downtown from above
Restaurants and a converted former rail depot right beneath the hotel

Cons

Separated from downtown by a bridge: in the evening you still need to cross it
Less choice of hotels compared to Downtown

Recommended hotels in this area

Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square: 3 minutes on foot from the historic Monongahela Incline funicular, with a view of the Downtown skyscrapers from across the river.

See more hotels in this area →

Oakland and the university

Neighbourhood · The same bus 28X Airport Flyer also stops at Oakland; by car it takes 25-30 minutes from the airport, same as for Downtown.

Best for: Anyone visiting the Carnegie museums or with commitments at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon.

Pros

Carnegie museums, the Cathedral of Learning and the campus reachable on foot
A quiet neighborhood in the evening, with a good choice of university restaurants

Cons

Hotel parking is almost always paid, as throughout downtown
Farther from the theaters and nightlife of Downtown

Recommended hotels in this area

The Oaklander Hotel, Autograph Collection: A stone's throw from the University of Pittsburgh, with an inner garden and the Spirits & Tales restaurant praised in reviews for its breakfast.
Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh University Place: A few steps from both the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon, in a quiet area noted in reviews.

See more hotels in this area →