Cheap flights to Pittsburgh

Peak Season

Pittsburgh’s peak season starts in summer and continues through autumn (late June to November). The city’s buzzing, as people make the most of the lovely weather and spend their time enjoying outdoor activities and park events. Expect attractions to be busy as families are also taking advantage of school holiday periods during this time. Autumn is a beautiful season to see the red and gold foliage across the city. If you’re a sports fan why not catch a Pittsburgh Steelers game while you visit? As this is the peak season, visitors should expect flights to Pittsburgh and accommodation to be more expensive and it is advised to book well in advance.

Off Season

Winter (December through February) makes up the off season in the city and is when travellers can usually benefit from cheap flights to Pittsburgh. Although temperatures are cold, this is the perfect time to book your holiday if you want to avoid the crowds and would prefer to spend your trip indoors. Why not visit one of Pittsburgh’s many museums, such as, The Andy Warhol Museum? Travellers will also be able to get into the holiday spirit during a whole host of activities, for instance, you could welcome the New Year with the Highmark First Night Pittsburgh celebration.

Shoulder Season

Spring (March through June) is mostly cool and sometimes rainy, with the wettest month being June. If you’re happy to dodge the rain then this can be a great time to plan a holiday. Spend your time exploring the city and include a few indoor activities on your to do list for when the heavens open. Airfares and hotel rates may be slightly cheaper than the peak months, so keep an eye out for any deals.

City overview

Visitors to Pittsburgh will be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t have steel roots. Generations of locals (those born in the city and those who made it their home) powered the steel mills that have given Pittsburgh its nickname of “The Steel City”. Today, most of the steeled-milled skyline has been replaced with contemporary art museums and sculptures, sparkling glass buildings and green spaces.

Due to its location along the Ohio, Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, Pittsburgh is one of the most water-filled cities in America. Outdoors enthusiasts booking a flight to Pittsburgh will enjoy hiking in the Allegheny Mountains, while city-goers will revel in the city’s famed shopping district. If you’re in the mood for a little adrenaline rush, head to Pittsburgh’s amusement park where you’ll find one of the fastest track roller-coasters in the United States.

Movie lovers can take a road trip to Philadelphia, 300 miles (482 km) away and run up the stairs of the Capitol building – just like Sylvester Stallone in Rocky.

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Pittsburgh climate

Winters are not usually extreme, with temperatures staying a few degrees above freezing. In spring things warm up quickly and summers are hot and sunny, with fairly low humidity.

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When is the best time to fly to Pittsburgh?

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Getting around Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh’s hilly and watery layout makes it difficult for first-time visitors to get around. Taxis are probably best until you get your bearings. Public transport consists of buses, light rail and the incline services (Duquesne and Monongahela). The Gateway Clipper and Pittsburgh Cruise Lines operate boat services to Heinz Field and PNC Park. One of the nicest ways to see the city is by bike. There are many biking trails along the rivers.

Getting from the Airport to the City

There are lots of ways to get to the city centre after your flight to Pittsburgh International (PIT). Taxis, shuttles (including hotel courtesy shuttles) and limos are available from the Ground Transportation area (outside baggage claim). The Airport Flyer travels via West Busway every 20 minutes or so.

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What is good to know if travelling to Pittsburgh?

• According to the locals, the only way to see Pittsburgh is by taking the Duquesne Incline to the summit of Mount Washington. The funicular travels at a stately pace of 6 miles (9.6km) per hour.
• Pittsburgh has an astounding number of bridges. There are 446, more than Venice. It’s a hilly city too and has more than 700 sets of public steps and stairs – more than San Francisco. 
• Pittsburgh is the home of the Big Mac, that delicious concoction of burgers, cheese, pickles and sesame-seed bun. It was created by Jim Delligatti, one of the earliest franchisees of Ray Kroc’s empire, who ran several restaurants in the Pittsburgh area.

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What airport do you fly into for flights to Pittsburgh?

Most people fly into Pittsburgh (PIT) if they book a flight to Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is conveniently located just 21.7 km from Pittsburgh’s city centre.