Written by John Morris, WheelchairTravel.org, November 7, 2023
In case you missed it, CLICK HERE to access part 1
In the midst of an urban revitalization, Pittsburgh has been recognized time and again as one of the most livable cities in America. Beautifully positioned at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers, the “City of Bridges” boasts more bridges than any other city in the world. Once the center for American steel production, Pittsburgh’s economic landscape has shifted in recent decades to favor industries like education, finance, healthcare and technology.
With the support of Visit Pittsburgh, I recently toured the “Steel City” to experience all that it has to offer. Pittsburgh’s wheelchair-friendly attractions, hotels, sporting venues and public transportation system make the city an attractive destination for travelers with disabilities. Use this guide to plan and make the most of your wheelchair accessible Pittsburgh vacation.
Accessible Hotels in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is a relatively affordable city with a large number of wheelchair accessible hotel rooms, with options to suit any budget. There are many options for wheelchair-friendly accommodations throughout the city, but having a room downtown is most conducive to stress-free accessible travel.
When deciding on a particular hotel, it is important to seek out information on accessibility before booking a room. Ask about everything—door width, thresholds, shower/tub set-up, bed height, grab bars, shower chairs—to avoid an unfortunate surprise when you arrive.
I’ve taken the time to compile the following list of hotels in Pittsburgh which offer handicap accessible rooms (all offer roll-in showers). This is not a complete list of accessible hotels in the city. Hotels listed in bold are properties I have stayed at myself.
| Hotel Name | Hotel Website | Metro station | Walking distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Courtyard by Marriott Pittsburgh Downtown | Hotel Website | Wood Street | 6 minutes |
| Crowne Plaza Hotel Pittsburgh South | Hotel Website | South Hills Village | 10 minutes |
| DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh Downtown | Hotel Website | Steel Plaza | 3 minutes |
| Fairmont Pittsburgh | Hotel Website | Gateway | 3 minutes |
| Hampton Inn & Suites Pittsburgh Downtown | Hotel Website | Wood Street | 13 minutes |
| Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh University Place | Hotel Website | N/A | N/A |
| Holiday Inn Express Pittsburgh South Side | Hotel Website | Station Square | 19 minutes |
| Hyatt Place Pittsburgh North Shore | Hotel Website | North Side | 4 minutes |
| Omni William Penn Hotel | Hotel Website | Steel Plaza | 2 minutes |
| Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel | Hotel Website | Gateway | 4 minutes |
| Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square | Hotel Website | Station Square | 7 minutes |
| SpringHill Suites Pittsburgh North Shore | Hotel Website | North Side | 6 minutes |
| Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown | Hotel Website | Gateway | 4 minutes |
| Wyndham Pittsburgh University Center | Hotel Website | N/A | N/A |
Hotels in the United States must comply with the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Be sure to check out the Guide to Hotel Accessibility for more information on what you should expect to find in a truly accessible hotel.
Pittsburgh Public Transportation
Pittsburgh’s public transportation system is operated by PAT, the Port Authority of Allegheny County. The transit network, which consists of light rail, city buses and a funicular (or incline) is largely accessible. Utilize the information in this section of the guide to learn about the accessible public transportation and prepare yourself to take advantage of the system when you arrive in the Steel City.
Wheelchair Accessible Pittsburgh Light Rail
The Pittsburgh T consists of four lines which together serve 53 stations. The system measures just of 26 miles in length, and is especially useful to tourists in Downtown Pittsburgh. While all of the light rail train cars are wheelchair accessible, only 27 of the stations are (full list provided below).
Each train offers level-entry boarding from accessible stations, with a gap of about an inch between the train and platform. Wheelchair spaces at the front of each car are exposed by folding the seats out of the way. The train operator will assist you with this task.
List of wheelchair accessible Pittsburgh light rail stations
The following light rail stations, arranged by line and in alphabetical order, are wheelchair accessible, with elevators or ramps from the street to station platform:
- Blue Line (Library via Overbrook) — Allegheny, Boggs, Bon Air, Denise, First Avenue, Gateway, Killarney, Library, Lytle, McNeilly, Memorial Hall, North Side, South Bank, South Hills Junction, Station Square, Steel Plaza, Washington Junction, West Library, Willow, Wood Street
- Blue Line (South Hills Village via Overbrook) — Allegheny, Boggs, Bon Air, Denise, First Avenue, Gateway, Killarney, McNeilly, Memorial Hall, North Side, South Bank, South Hills Junction, Station Square, Steel Plaza, Washington Junction, Willow, Wood Street
- Red Line (Castle Shannon via Beechview) — Allegheny, Castle Shannon, Dormont Junction, Fallowfield, First Avenue, Gateway, MT. Lebanon, North Side, Overbrook Junction, Potomac, South Hills Junction, Station Square, Steel Plaza, Wood Street
- Red Line (South Hills Village via Beechview) — Allegheny, Castle Shannon, Dormont Junction, Fallowfield, First Avenue, Gateway, MT. Lebanon, North Side, Overbrook Junction, Potomac, South Hills Junction, South Hills Village, Station Square, Steel Plaza, Washington Junction, Wood Street
Transfers between all four lines are possible at the following accessible stations: Allegheny, First Avenue, Gateway, North Side, South Hills Junction, Station Square, Steel Plaza and Wood Street.
Light rail stations in Downtown Pittsburgh are located underground, with elevators, escalators and stairs to the station platform. Some stations outside the city enter, like Station Square (pictured above), have ramps to the outdoor platform.
Pittsburgh light rail fares and payment
Tickets are available at each accessible station via automated kiosks. Single ride trips can be purchased with cash or credit/debit cards for $2.75. Fares paid with the city’s reloadable ConnectCard are just $2.50. Transfers are only possible with a ConnectCard and cost $1 extra.
Unlike other metro or subway systems, there are no fare gates at Pittsburgh’s T stations. Riders are expected to tap their ticket or ConnectCard on the orange pad on the farebox. At some stations, there are staff members who check to make sure every rider has paid the requisite fare.
No fares are required for light rail trips entirely within the city’s downtown Free Fare Zone. The free fare zone consists of six stations: Allegheny, First Avenue, Gateway, North Side, Steel Plaza and Wood Street. For more information on riding the wheelchair accessible Pittsburgh light rail, visit www.portauthority.org.
Wheelchair Accessible Pittsburgh City Bus
The PAT operates more than 800 city buses on routes throughout the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. The bus fleet is wheelchair accessible, with low floors and wheelchair ramps or lifts.
All city buses in Pittsburgh have a wheelchair accessible ramp or lift that extends from the front door. Seating reserved for seniors and people with disabilities can be folded out of the way to accommodate wheelchairs. Two wheelchair spaces are provided on each bus, and securement straps are used to hold wheelchairs and scooters in place.
Pittsburgh City Bus fares and payment
City bus fares are $2.75 if paying with cash, or $2.50 if paid using a reloadable ConnectCard. Exact change is required and discounts are only available upon presentation of a valid ID. If using the ConnectCard, transfers to another city bus or to one of the light rail lines are just $1.00.
Wheelchair Accessible Monongahela Incline (Funicular)
Opened in 1870, the Monongahela Incline is the oldest continuously operating funicular in the United States. For nearly 150 years, the incline has transported people and goods between Station Square and the top of Mt. Washington. A tourist attraction in its own right, the Mon Incline carries more than one million riders each year.
Wheelchair accessible at both the upper and lower stations, I tested out the incline for myself. At the lower station, wheelchair users enter the station and ride an elevator to the boarding platform, which provides level-entry access to the carriage. The fit is tight (pictured above), but there were no issues rolling my power wheelchair into the car.
The cost of riding the Monongahela Incline is the same as all other modes of transit — $2.75 for a single ride fare, or $2.50 if paying with the ConnectCard. The incline is also included in daily or weekly unlimited ride passes.
Riders will get to enjoy an incredible view of the city from the top of Mt. Washington, and I strongly encourage you to take a round-trip ride on the funicular! The nearby Duquesne Incline also goes to the top of Mt. Washington, but it is only wheelchair accessible at the upper station. While wheelchair users can ride it, they won’t be able to get off or board at the lower station, requiring a round-trip ride.