Getting to PPG Paints Arena
Pittsburgh Penguins · Pittsburgh, PA
PPG Paints Arena publishes a route in from each of the four compass points, and every one of them runs through a tunnel or over a bridge — which is the honest description of driving into Pittsburgh. Transit is the better answer: the arena sits above the Golden Triangle with a light rail station a few blocks downhill and ten bus routes named by number on the streets either side of it.
Tips & Fan Reports
Souper Bowl is the closest bar to the arena and runs tons of specials around Pens games. The Mellon Center garage is also a good option that is walkable. Get to downtown early if you are driving.
The 61 and 71 route families stop on Fifth Avenue coming in and Forbes Avenue going out — check which street you want before you board.
Steel Plaza is the closest T station, at Ross Street and 6th Avenue.
All arena parking is cashless, and the arena encourages pre-purchase through ParkWhiz.
Every driving route in crosses a bridge or a tunnel — Liberty, Fort Pitt or Squirrel Hill — so build in the delay Pittsburgh drivers assume.
Routes 81 and 83 use Centre Avenue in both directions, which is the closest approach of the three.
Ways In
- Driving
- From the north, take Interstate 279S to 579S and follow signs to the arena via the Veterans/Liberty Bridge, exiting at PPG Arena/6th Avenue and turning left. From the south, take Interstate 79N to 376 Business toward Pittsburgh, through the Fort Pitt Tunnel, bear right toward Monroeville, then the first left exit onto Grant Street to 7th Avenue and turn right. From the east, take Route 22W to 376W through the Squirrel Hill Tunnel, then the Grant Street exit to 7th Avenue and turn right. From the west, take Route 22E to 376 Business through the Fort Pitt Tunnel, bear right toward Monroeville, then the first left exit onto Grant Street to 7th Avenue. The arena is at 1001 Fifth Avenue.
- Public Transit
- The T, Pittsburgh's light rail, has three downtown stations; the closest is Steel Plaza at Ross Street and 6th Avenue. On the bus, Routes 61A, 61B, 61C, 61D and 71A, 71C, 71D run along Fifth Avenue inbound and Forbes Avenue outbound, either side of the arena, and Routes 81 and 83 run both ways along Centre Avenue. Pittsburgh Regional Transit lists many more routes stopping downtown within a short walk.
- Rideshare
- Uber/Lyft drop-off is on Washington Place near the main entrance. From downtown, expect a 5-minute ride. Post-game pickup is on Centre Avenue.
- Walking
- The arena publishes no distance from Steel Plaza station, but the bus routes stop on Fifth, Forbes and Centre Avenues, which are the blocks the arena sits between — a walk of 1 to 2 blocks.
Pittsburgh Penguins Travel Gear
Clear bags, ponchos, and packable layers for getting to the gate.
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How We Checked This Page
Every section below names the source it was read from and the day it was read. Where we could not reach a published figure, the page says so rather than presenting an estimate as a checked fact.
- Getting there
PPG Paints Arena directions/parking and public transportation pages on ppgpaintsarena.com
- Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit fare information: full fare $2.75 on stored value, valid three hours with unlimited transfers; cash fare $2.75 for a single ride
- Lodging
Google Places API (New) Nearby Search