Pittsburgh Airport Parking

Pittsburgh International (PIT) is a former hub that kept its infrastructure — which is good news for parking, because it means an unusually generous supply of spaces relative to the traffic, and rates that reflect the competition. It also has a direct bus link to downtown that is worth knowing about.

The short answer

PIT has an on-airport long-term and daily lot system, a short-term garage at the landside terminal, and off-airport lots nearby. Because the airport has more parking capacity than its current traffic needs, prices are generally reasonable and spaces are easier to find than at a busy hub. There is also a bus connection to downtown Pittsburgh, but no rail link to the terminals.

The parking options

Short-term and daily garage

The garage at the landside terminal, connected by walkway. Convenient and priced for short stays — this is where you park for a pick-up or a one-night trip, not for a week.

Long-term and extended lots

PIT's long-term parking sits further out, served by shuttle to the landside terminal. Rates are lower than the short-term garage and better suited to trips of several days or more.

Because PIT was built as a hub, the long-term lots are large and the shuttle system is well established.

Off-airport lots

There are private off-airport parking operators serving PIT, typically cheaper again, with shuttle service.

Hotel park-and-fly

Airport-area hotels offer park-and-fly packages. Because PIT is a reasonable drive from the city and the surrounding area, these work well for trips of a week or more.

The layout, which is the unusual part

PIT has an unusual configuration worth understanding before you arrive. The landside terminal — where check-in, baggage claim and the parking are — is separate from the airside terminal, where the gates are. You travel between them by an underground people mover, and it takes a few minutes.

What that means for parking:

• You park at the landside terminal, then take the people mover to your gate.
• Budget the people mover time on both arrival and departure — it is not instant, and it is not optional.
• The landside building is where the parking garage is, so once you have parked you are inside the complex.

This catches out first-time PIT travellers, who budget for a walk to the gate and find they need a train ride instead.

How to choose

1. Rule out the short-term garage for long trips. It is priced for short stays — use the long-term lots.
2. Compare the long-term lot against off-airport. Because PIT has generous on-airport capacity, the gap is sometimes smaller than at other airports.
3. Price a rideshare for short trips. PIT is a reasonable drive from much of the region, and for a few days a rideshare may win.
4. Check the 28X bus if you are heading to or from downtown Pittsburgh — it is a genuine alternative to parking.
5. For trips over a week, price a park-and-fly hotel. Available around the airport and usually competitive.
6. Allow for the people mover. It adds several minutes to both ends of your journey through the airport.

What to watch for at PIT specifically

• The two-terminal layout. Landside and airside are separate buildings linked by an underground train. This is the single most confusing thing about PIT for infrequent travellers.
• The drive from the city. PIT is around 20 miles west of downtown, accessed mainly by the Parkway West (I-376), which has construction and congestion issues. Allow more than the distance suggests.
• No rail link. Unlike Philadelphia or Denver, PIT has no train to the terminals — the alternatives are bus, rideshare or driving.
• Winter weather. Western Pennsylvania gets snow and ice, and the drive on I-376 is exposed. Covered parking has a real argument in winter.
• Sparse periods. Because PIT handles less traffic than its design capacity, some services and lots can feel quiet at off-peak times. Check shuttle hours if you are arriving late.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I park at Pittsburgh Airport?

Options are the short-term garage at the landside terminal, the on-airport long-term and extended lots served by shuttle, private off-airport lots, and park-and-fly hotel packages. Short-term is priced for brief stays; long-term is for trips of several days or more.

Is there cheaper parking near Pittsburgh Airport?

Yes. The long-term lots are well below the short-term garage, and off-airport private lots are cheaper again. Because PIT has generous on-airport capacity, the gap between on-airport and off-airport is sometimes smaller than at busier airports.

Why does Pittsburgh Airport have two terminals?

PIT was built as a hub with a landside terminal for check-in, baggage and parking, and a separate airside terminal for the gates, connected by an underground people mover. It is an unusual layout, and it catches out first-time travellers.

How long does the people mover take at Pittsburgh Airport?

A few minutes each way, plus waiting. It is not optional — you cannot walk between landside and airside — so budget the time on both departure and arrival.

Can I take a bus to Pittsburgh Airport?

Yes. The 28X bus connects the airport with downtown Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. There is no rail link to the terminals, so the bus, a rideshare or driving are the options.

How far in advance should I book Pittsburgh airport parking?

Two weeks or so is usually sufficient, and PIT's capacity means spaces are easier to find than at a busy hub. Booking ahead still secures a lower rate, and it is worth doing for holiday periods.

Do Pittsburgh airport hotels offer park-and-fly packages?

Yes. Airport-area hotels offer packages that typically include one night's accommodation and parking for the trip, and for stays of a week or more they frequently beat a week in any airport lot.

How far is Pittsburgh Airport from downtown?

About 20 miles, mainly via the Parkway West (I-376). The drive is usually 25 to 35 minutes in normal conditions, but construction and congestion on that route are common, so allow more at peak times.

PIT's two-terminal layout and the lack of a rail link make the parking decision more consequential than it first appears. If you would rather have it worked through, our agents can compare the options with you in one call.