Things to do / Travel Guide
Good news for travelers with deep and shallow pockets alike! Regardless of your spending capacity you'll certainly be pleased to know: southwestern Pennsylvania, the city of Pittsburgh included, is very affordable. High quality meals and comfortable, centrally-located lodging can be obtained for even half the price of other large metropolitan areas such as San Francisco or New York City. Budget accommodations and cheaper eateries are not difficult to come by. Most attractions are reasonably priced and attendance to nearly all of the annual events and festivals costs under $10. Top-notch theater and music performances in Pittsburgh's cultural district, while occasionally pricey, are certainly less expensive than the same caliber events in other parts of the country.
Have you ever heard of an urban city that offers free downtown transportation? Well Pittsburgh does: transportation on the T subway within five downtown stations is actually free, and buses throughout Pittsburgh are affordable. If you need to take several buses along a one-way route, pay an extra dollar or so for a transfer and you'll end up saving money. Parking downtown Pittsburgh can be extremely costly, but if you ask around you may be able to find daily rates at some of the “fringe lots” on the outskirts of downtown for considerably less. Travel by taxi is convenient, but also considerably more expensive than public transportation.
Travelers should be aware of the fact that sales taxes in southwestern Pennsylvania are higher than in many other areas of the United States, but clothing, groceries, and specialty foods such as gourmet cheese and chocolates are tax-exempt.
Gas prices within southern Pennsylvania are up to 10 percent lower outside of the downtown Pittsburgh area. Pittsburgh metro gas prices, however, are considerably cheaper than they are in other neighboring urban cities.
A wide spectrum of lodging options is available in southwestern Pennsylvania, from opulently decorated historic and high-rise hotels to mid-range motels and even an international hostel. Modern, luxurious rooms range from $100 to $500 a night. There are also several solid three-star hotel options conveniently located in downtown Pittsburgh, rooms generally range from $100-$160 and may have a pleasant view of the river. Bed and breakfast prices usually run anywhere from $95-$200 a night. Clean and adequate budget and mid-range motels are priced from about $50-$80 a night are generally located on the outskirts of Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh International Hostel, the only of its kind in southwestern Pennsylvania, has prices around $25 per bed for non-members of Hostelling International and around $20 for members. To stay at a campground expect to spend anywhere from $5-$30. Cabins usually cost from $20-$70.
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