This is the view from the lookout.
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Duquesne Incline

4.4
·736 reviews·Pittsburgh, United States

Ride a historic incline railway for breathtaking panoramic views of Pittsburgh's iconic skyline and rivers.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekdays, late afternoon

Fewer crowds, golden hour light

CrowdLow
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This is the view from the lookout.

Duquesne Incline

Best Time

Weekdays, late afternoon

Fewer crowds, golden hour light

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Ride a historic incline railway for breathtaking panoramic views of Pittsburgh's iconic skyline and rivers.

4.4
(736 reviews)

"One of the must do attractions in Pittsburgh with amazing views from the top."

Vertical photo
TIP

Bring Cash for Tickets

:moneywithwings: Tickets are $5 roundtrip for adults, cash only! ATM available at top but has fees.

Paid Parking Available

:red_car: Lot at lower station, approx. $10/24hrs. Worth it for convenience.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Rating

4.4 · 755 reviews

Type

Transit station

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Panoramic City Views

Panoramic City Views

Upper Station Observation Deck

Breathtaking vistas of Pittsburgh's skyline, rivers, and bridges. A truly iconic sight!

Instagram+1
Historic Incline Ride

Historic Incline Ride

Carriage

Experience a charming 2-3 minute journey on a vintage cable car, a piece of Pittsburgh history.

InstagramReddit
Working Museum

Working Museum

Upper Station

Discover the fascinating mechanics and history of the incline in this small, informative exhibit.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

Cash is King for Tickets

Remember to bring cash for your Duquesne Incline tickets! While the price is a bargain at $5 roundtrip for adults, they only accept cash or Port Authority tickets. There's an ATM at the top, but it comes with a withdrawal fee. InstagramReddit

Parking Pointers

Parking can be a bit of a puzzle. There's a paid lot at the lower station, often around $10 for 24 hours. Some suggest it's worth it for the convenience, especially if you plan to explore the area. Reddit

Best Times

When
Weekdays, late afternoon
Why
Fewer crowds, golden hour light
Crowd
Low
When
Evenings
Why
Sparkling city lights
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

The manitou incline is a must do in the Colorado Springs area! Love this hike and the views, just doesn’t get old 😍🏔️ Tips for hiking the incline: - where to park - reservation needed - 4 miles total, 2000 ft elevation gain - be prepared - no pets #coloradosprings #thingstodoincolorado #manitouincline #manitouchallenge #manitousprings
@coloradomountaintowns
19.1K likes • 414K views

Bring Cash for Tickets

:moneywithwings: Tickets are $5 roundtrip for adults, cash only! ATM available at top but has fees. InstagramReddit

Paid Parking Available

:red_car: Lot at lower station, approx. $10/24hrs. Worth it for convenience. Reddit

Thinking about doing the Manitou Incline? You NEED TO KNOW these tips before you go. Make sure you read ALL tips, they can make a HUGE difference for you and would have made a difference for me in my first summit. First things first, here’s some directions. Tips below. 📍 Directions to Manitou Incline – Manitou Springs, CO • Start Location: Across from the Iron Springs Chateau (515 Ruxton Ave) • ...
@destinationswithdrew
8.5K likes • 220.7K views
The classic view of Pittsburgh skyline from the Duquesne incline was voted by USA Today as one of the Top 10 skyline views in the World! We took this ride during our trip to Pittsburgh and the views from the top was truly breathtaking! The incline operates 365 days a year. Tickets are only $5 per adult roundtrip and $2.50 per child. You need to carry cash and have exact change while booking ticke...
travelwithsudipa
14.7K likes • 560.6K views

Best Views at Dusk/Night

:city_sunrise: Catch the city lights! Less crowded near dusk. Reddit

No Restrooms Onsite

🚽 Plan ahead! No restrooms at bottom or top stations. Reddit

Come ride the Duquesne Incline with us! 🌇 This iconic Pittsburgh landmark has been transporting locals and visitors alike since 1877, offering breathtaking views of the city and its three rivers! 🚠✨ Whether you’re a history buff or just love a good view, the Duquesne Incline is a must-see! Come ride with us and step back in time while enjoying the best panoramic views Pittsburgh has to offer!😍 ...
visitpittsburgh
3K likes • 62K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Bring Cash for Tickets

:moneywithwings: Tickets are $5 roundtrip for adults, cash only! ATM available at top but has fees. InstagramReddit

Paid Parking Available

:red_car: Lot at lower station, approx. $10/24hrs. Worth it for convenience. Reddit

Best Views at Dusk/Night

:city_sunrise: Catch the city lights! Less crowded near dusk. Reddit

No Restrooms Onsite

🚽 Plan ahead! No restrooms at bottom or top stations. Reddit

Family-Friendly Ride

:child: Kids under 5 ride free! Great for train-obsessed little ones. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.4
(736 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise the Duquesne Incline as a must-do Pittsburgh attraction, highlighting its breathtaking skyline views and historic charm. The affordable price and unique ride experience are major draws. However, the lack of restrooms and the cash-only ticket policy are recurring points of inconvenience for some. Reddit+1

"One of the must do attractions in Pittsburgh. Paid parking is available at the lower station. You need to pay cash for tickets. 5$ per adult. Kids below 5 rides free. The carriage travel was quick and took us to the upper station. View is amazing from the top. There is a small working museum on how the incline works if you are interested. Overall took us less than 1hr"

vimal hbk

"This sorta feels like one of those things you need to do when you go to Pittsburgh. Parking is in the huge dirt surface lot on the street below. It’s $10 for 24 hours there didn’t seem to be another option.

The incline itself is $5 per person, cash only. If you don’t have cash they’ll give you an IOU. There’s an ATM at the top, you can give them your money when you come back down.

There’s lift is a little rickety but you get great views on the 2-3 minute ride up. At the top there’s a small gift shop but you’re probably coming for the views. They’re worth the price of admission alone.

We went near dusk so there wasn’t a line or many people waiting to take pics. There’s probably other stuff to do up there but it was cold and windy, so we snapped pics and left.

Parking price aside, totally worth it."

Jay

"A must-see attraction in Pittsburgh. You can take the mountain train to the highest point. When you walk out of the station, you can overlook the downtown Pittsburgh from the observation deck. It is very beautiful. You must also visit the working museum at the top of the mountain station. The ticket is cheap but only cash is accepted. There is a parking lot opposite the station at the bottom of the mountain where you can park."

Chun-Cheng Chang (張鈞程)

What People Like

Spectacular city views
Historic ride experience
Affordable ticket price

What People Dislike

Cash-only tickets
No restrooms onsite
Paid parking cost

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Duquesne Incline is located at 1197 W Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA. You can drive and park in the paid lot at the lower station, or use public transportation. InstagramReddit

Yes, there is paid parking available at the lower station, typically around $10 for 24 hours. Reddit

Yes, the Duquesne Incline is part of Pittsburgh's public transportation system and can be accessed via bus routes. Instagram

For families, driving and parking at the lower station is often convenient. The ride itself is a hit with children, especially those who love trains. Reddit

The ride itself is quick, taking only about 2-3 minutes to reach the upper station. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Adult tickets are $5 for a roundtrip or $2.50 one-way. Children aged 6-11 are $1.25 one-way or $2.50 roundtrip. Children under 5 ride free. InstagramReddit

No, tickets are purchased on-site at the lower station. It's recommended to have cash, as cards are not accepted. InstagramReddit

The Duquesne Incline is open daily from 5:30 AM to 12:30 AM, operating 365 days a year. Instagram+1

No, the Duquesne Incline only accepts cash or Port Authority tickets. There is an ATM at the top, but it has a withdrawal fee. InstagramReddit

Children under 5 ride for free. Otherwise, the prices are quite affordable for the experience. Reddit

🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience

The main attraction is the breathtaking panoramic view of Pittsburgh. There's also a small working museum detailing the incline's history and mechanics. Reddit+1

While the ride itself is accessible, the observation deck and museum area may have some limitations. It's best to inquire directly for specific accessibility needs. Instagram

Unfortunately, there are no restrooms available at either the bottom or top stations of the Duquesne Incline, which can be inconvenient. Reddit

Most visitors spend less than an hour, including the ride up and down, enjoying the views and a quick look at the museum. Reddit

Many visitors recommend visiting near dusk to capture the city lights as they turn on, or during the golden hour for beautiful lighting. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

While there are no dining facilities directly at the incline stations, the surrounding Mount Washington neighborhood and downtown Pittsburgh offer numerous dining options. Reddit

There are no food or beverage services available at the Duquesne Incline itself. It's recommended to eat before or after your visit. Reddit

Yes, the Mount Washington area and downtown Pittsburgh have many family-friendly restaurants. Visitors often ask for recommendations for places with good views or kid-friendly menus. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The observation deck at the upper station offers the most iconic and expansive views of the Pittsburgh skyline, perfect for photography. Instagram+1

Many photographers prefer the 'golden hour' just before sunset for warm light, or after dark to capture the city's vibrant lights. Reddit

Yes, you can take photos from inside the carriage during the ride, offering unique perspectives of the ascent and the city. Instagram

Generally, personal photography is allowed. However, professional or commercial photography might require special arrangements. Instagram

A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive skyline. For evening shots, a tripod can be helpful for stability and longer exposures. Reddit

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