Pittsburgh flights and travel guide

Travellers booking flights 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 cheap flights to Pittsburgh will enjoy hiking in the Allegheny Mountains, while city-goers will revel in Pittsburgh’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-coaster in the United States.

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Pittsburgh climate

Pittsburgh winters are not usually extreme, 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 to fly to Pittsburgh

Peak season: 

April to October is high season. 

Off season: 

December (excluding Christmas and New Year's) to early February are low season times.

Shoulder season: 

March and November are good shoulder-season months when the weather is usually pleasant and crowds are small.

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Getting into town Pittsburgh

There are lots of ways to get to the city centre from Pittsburgh International. Taxis, shuttles (including hotel courtesy shuttles) and limos are available from the Ground Transportation area (outside baggage claim). The 28X Airport Flyer travels via West Busway every 20 minutes or so. Bus fares are $2.60.

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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 bearing. 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 Pittsburgh is by bike. There are many biking trails along the rivers.

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Pittsburgh insider information

• The only way to see Pittsburgh, locals say, is to take the Duquesne Incline to the summit of Mount Washington. The funicular travels at a stately pace of 6 miles per hour. It runs between 5:30am to 12:45am and costs $2.25 each way. 
• 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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Pittsburgh airports

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