Duquesne Incline
Duquesne Incline
4.5
5:30 AM - 12:45 AM
Monday
5:30 AM - 12:45 AM
Tuesday
5:30 AM - 12:45 AM
Wednesday
5:30 AM - 12:45 AM
Thursday
5:30 AM - 12:45 AM
Friday
5:30 AM - 12:45 AM
Saturday
5:30 AM - 12:45 AM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 12:45 AM
About
Scale Mount Washington in a 19th century cable car for a fun ride with breathtaking views. The ride is a 400-foot incline and brings you breathtaking views of the Pittsburgh skyline and the city’s three rivers. When uphill, visit the museum to learn more about Pittsburgh history as well as inclines from all over the world. A few restaurants overhanging the mountain are a stone’s throw away, and so is the stunning Grandview Overlook. The Duquesne Incline is cash-only so be prepared. Paid parking is available across the street from the Duquesne incline’s lower station. – Tripadvisor
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See what travelers are saying
- RhroncichBrookfield, Illinois563 contributionsFun side trip while visiting PittsburghAdmission is CASH ONLY! Bring exact change. Terrific funicular - just like in Switzerland or Germany. Really loved the views from the top. Only downside - you have to park at the bottom of the mountain, roughly at the same elevation as the river. To get to the Incline/funicular, you have to trudge up to the sidewalk, scale several steps and walk across over the road. If you don't like heights, that part was the most challenging! Don't look down. Nice exhibits about the history of the Incline at the top. Boys enjoyed this.Visited August 2023Traveled with familyWritten September 13, 2023
- PLB50402Greenville, Ohio129 contributionsWeekend Visit To PittsburghI’ll start by saying that a lot of complaints from other reviewers are accurate. The parking lot at the base is not great and there is a long walk and a lot of steps to get to the station. The exact change requirement is a pain and ticket sellers are abrupt and hard to understand. There is little direction in knowing what to do after you have your tickets. Given all of that, I highly recommend making this one of your Pittsburgh stops, especially if you can do it at night. The views of the city from the observation deck are amazing. We had an extra treat the night we visited. There was a multi-colored, multi-formational drone display moving along the river. Awesome.Visited September 2023Traveled with familyWritten September 14, 2023
- Kcollins108Birmingham, Alabama168 contributionsCheap ActivityThis was fun to experience since it has been around so long. Very cheap ($2.50 one way, $5 round trip). Didn’t have time to walk around Mount Washington but it seemed like a beautiful place.Visited September 2023Traveled with friendsWritten September 17, 2023
- CFRSun City, Arizona96 contributionsThe Classic Old Little Trolley upHubs, wanted to visit the Incline and reminisce earlier travels. It's quite an antique and steep way to travel up to the top of Mt. Washington area of Pittsburgh. Great views from the top, runs smoothly, but it is an older piece of history and needs upkeep.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten September 18, 2023
- Cathy M2 contributionsPittsburgh, PAWent to Pittsburgh for a conference and stayed 2 extra days for sightseeing. Enjoyed Pittsburgh very much. Highly recommend the Heinz History Center and the museum at Fort Pitt. Stayed at the Wyndham Grand Downtown. It was a great location; easy walking distance to multiple eateries (The Yard is a must!) and a beautiful park on the Point. We also had the opportunity to attended the last baseball game at PNC park and cheer on the Pirates to victory! The park is beautiful with a breathtaking view of downtown.Visited September 2023Traveled with familyWritten October 2, 2023
- Donna BWarrenton, Virginia6 contributionsRide on the Duquesne InclineLoved the historical ride on the Duquesne Incline. Views were spectacular. We walked from Point State Park across the bridge to ride up, take a few pictures and then back down. There's a little gift shop and small museum at the top. Would highly recommend. I've wanted to do this since seeing Flashdance in 1983!Visited October 2023Traveled with familyWritten October 7, 2023
- cmbookwormWesterville, Ohio78 contributionsBeautiful Scenery!Great view of the three rivers downtown from this attraction! the last time I rode it, I was a kid and not much has changed. It's a really terrific view and fun to ride. There are several restaurants that are walkable from the top. It's paid parking in a lot at the bottom and the ride is cash only. It's a pet-friendly attraction, which is always a bonus for us!Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 9, 2023
- kevan jNorman, Oklahoma1,503 contributionsA great visitor experience.A lot of fun and great views! You can walk here from downtown. Costs 5 bucks for a round trip ride up and back down. Great antique cable cars and stations. A nice museum too if you like history and old stuff. Views from the top are absolutely awesome...I hated to go back down. No lines on a weekday morning. Very memorable experience.Visited October 2023Traveled soloWritten October 22, 2023
- Debbie R41 contributionsDuquesne Inclinethis was a great stop. I bet it really is fun to go at night when the city is lit up. Our only issue was with the woman in the actual booth were you paid for your tickets. I'm assuming she does not like her job! The guy at the top was so helpful and you could actually understand what he was saying. Other than that, It was fun to ride and we did have some amazing viewsVisited October 2023Traveled with familyWritten October 28, 2023
- Brenda B21 contributionsNeed to Visit - View is Amazing.First, I should mention we traveled the incline on game day in Pittsburgh so it was a little busy. The reason I didn't give the incline five stars is because I thought they could do some easy sweeping of absolutely everything. I understand it is run by volunteers; however, I have swept as a volunteer before. Everyone was polite but they do assume you know what you are doing so we were a little lost on getting back on board after visiting the top. Again, it was very busy, so we had to wait in line a short time to get back down. This is not handicap accessible so plan accordingly. (My husband helped a woman carry her stroller (with baby) up the many steep steps.) There are no bathrooms so plan accordingly. I was expecting cute shops at the top to spend time at but there is only a sports bar that was very busy. (Game day) Parking is on gravel a short distance from the stairway to the incline. The payment system is a little hard to use but manageable. Make sure you use the sidewalk as the cars rush by from the parking area to the incline. Hang on to children. Small gift shop at the top. The view at the top is amazing so take your camera!Visited September 2023Traveled with familyWritten October 31, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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jgbtravels
Louisville, KY4,628 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
This incline offers the best views of the city from Mount Washington. The cars actually are a bit faster than the Monongahela Incline cars. This is a plus on those hot, humid days. We merely went to the top and looked at the views of the city, snapped a few pictures then came back down. In doing my homework I read that the area here is mostly residential. Most restaurant options are at the Monongahela Incline. It’s cash only and masks need to be worn to ride. Of course the change machine was broken. Many folks were unprepared for that reality. If you are riding both then remember the Monongahela Incline has a Connect Card machine that allows you to use cash or card to buy tickets. A Day Pass will cost $7 to ride all day and will save you at leash $3 if you only ride both inclines. There’s a parking lot that sits below the incline(Duquesne) and costs $5 for an hour. That was enough time for us. Then there’s the climb from the parking lot to the incline. Since there was a crowd we had to wait a few turns to get a seat on a car to the top. Still, it’s a beautiful view of the city if you really desire to see it.
Written August 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill K
Spencerport, NY1,328 contributions
Jul 2021
I have been told by friends in Pittsburgh that this was a must see attraction in Pittsburgh. So while in the area, I made the effort to track this place down. The parking lot at the base is gravely and you need to walk the wooden stairs to get to the incline. The machines for parking state you can pay $5 for 2 hours or $10 all day and when tried to pay $5 it automatically charged me $10.
So it was a rough start and a nice walk up (hard if handicapped to utilize this). I got to the booth up top and paid the admission (bring exact change for this & additional .50 cents to look at the machinery that operates the incline at the upper station.
Duquesne Incline ran from 1877 to 1962 before closed and later reopened in 1963 with its original, elegant, wooden cable cars. The Duquesne Incline's upper station houses a museum of Pittsburgh history, including photos and a storehouse of information on inclines from around the world. Unusual Pittsburgh souvenirs, maps and photos can be found at the gift shop.
The views from the top are amazing, giving a great view of the three rivers where they merge with all the bridges and boats in view. Point State Park (esp the fountain), Heinz Field, Carnegie with the submarine & PNC Park are all within a spectacular view.
While there are a few downsides to this attraction, the views from the top are incredible and worth the trip, just make sure to bring that exact change.
So it was a rough start and a nice walk up (hard if handicapped to utilize this). I got to the booth up top and paid the admission (bring exact change for this & additional .50 cents to look at the machinery that operates the incline at the upper station.
Duquesne Incline ran from 1877 to 1962 before closed and later reopened in 1963 with its original, elegant, wooden cable cars. The Duquesne Incline's upper station houses a museum of Pittsburgh history, including photos and a storehouse of information on inclines from around the world. Unusual Pittsburgh souvenirs, maps and photos can be found at the gift shop.
The views from the top are amazing, giving a great view of the three rivers where they merge with all the bridges and boats in view. Point State Park (esp the fountain), Heinz Field, Carnegie with the submarine & PNC Park are all within a spectacular view.
While there are a few downsides to this attraction, the views from the top are incredible and worth the trip, just make sure to bring that exact change.
Written July 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wagoneer
Conestoga, PA1,166 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
We did enjoy the experience and the view from the top.
We went up in daylight. A nighttime view might be better.
The cable car system itself was very interesting and picturesque and a good ride. They did put on a few too many people per trip in this time of covid.
One thing... it is cash only and exact cash only. We did not know this but we were allowed to go up and access the MAC machine at the top and pay when we came back down. On handing in a $20 bill for a $15 fare I was told this was not acceptable. I was directed to a machine that would take my $20 and give me $1 coins, which I then could use to pay. It was a bit much in this time when anyone can get a credit card reader...
The view from observation deck was OK. We walked a bit farther up the street to the Washington statue and had a better, unobstructed view.
We went up in daylight. A nighttime view might be better.
The cable car system itself was very interesting and picturesque and a good ride. They did put on a few too many people per trip in this time of covid.
One thing... it is cash only and exact cash only. We did not know this but we were allowed to go up and access the MAC machine at the top and pay when we came back down. On handing in a $20 bill for a $15 fare I was told this was not acceptable. I was directed to a machine that would take my $20 and give me $1 coins, which I then could use to pay. It was a bit much in this time when anyone can get a credit card reader...
The view from observation deck was OK. We walked a bit farther up the street to the Washington statue and had a better, unobstructed view.
Written April 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin P
Cincinnati, OH10 contributions
Mar 2021
Where should I begin? In a city with as much to offer as Pittsburg, I am amazed that this is rated so highly. We went at the end of March which is hardly busy season. We had to queue for half an hour which I was surprised about, however, when we eventually got to the kiosk we realised that the reason for the delay was the totally ridiculous payment system. Firstly, those passengers leaving the car had to post their return ticket under the booth window or purchase a single ride ticket (there's no booth at the top) exact change was required, and for those unfortunate enough not to have come prepared, the very unhelpful lady in the booth merely pointed them to the single working change machine. Once they were all clear, we were allowed to purchase our tickets and enter the car for a ride that lasted no more than 3 minutes. The views from the top are breathtaking but don't restrict yourself to the viewing platform as there are better views from various points along the appropriately named Grandview Avenue. Overall, a very disappointing way of getting to a spectacular view.
Written April 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dean_Amy-2004
Gettysburg, PA8,398 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
A ride through history on the historic car. Adults are $5 round-trip; kids are $2.50. Fare paid at the lower station and cash only. If you don’t have exact change, there is a change machine there that dispenses $1 coins and quarters. It runs late; part of the local mass transit.
We parked along the street at the upper station and rode it down, then back up. No air conditioning on hot, summer days but there are open screens for some airflow.
The upper station has a nice observation deck and historical items to see. You can also take a self-guided look at the cable mechanism Be sure to wave to the passing car on the other cable as you go.
We parked along the street at the upper station and rode it down, then back up. No air conditioning on hot, summer days but there are open screens for some airflow.
The upper station has a nice observation deck and historical items to see. You can also take a self-guided look at the cable mechanism Be sure to wave to the passing car on the other cable as you go.
Written July 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GoVols79
Chattanooga, TN3,855 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
We rode the Duquesne Incline on a recent visit to Pittsburgh. There is a gravel parking lot along the river at the bottom of the incline with a $5 minimum charge. Exact change is asked for which is $5 per round trip ticket. We got lucky and walked right onto a train going up. We waited 15 minutes or so to catch one going down. There is an observation area at the top that provides great views of the city. All together we spent less than an hour doing everything. The only negative was the ladies working at the bottom who seemed pretty impatient with tourists who didn’t know exactly what to do when paying for and boarding the car.
Written September 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RetiredTravelerTN
Nashville, TN3,946 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
We parked in a lot on W Station Square Drive where parking is paid by credit card and walked up to the lower station for the funicular ride to the upper station. The sunny Saturday afternoon was warm, and plenty of others were waiting for the ride, but it wasn't long until we were standing on the deck outside the upper station enjoying the view of the city of Pittsburgh.
An hour and 15 minutes later, after a walk down Grandview Avenue for more views, we retraced our steps to the station for the ride back down to the station on W Carson St. Unfortunately, many others were also waiting; it was extremely hot, and it was a very, very long wait. Back at the lower station, we still had a tiring walk back to the parking lot.
The experience was ok, but it wasn't worth the long wait at the upper station. We wouldn't do it again, and we can't recommend it for older people or anyone with mobility issues.
An hour and 15 minutes later, after a walk down Grandview Avenue for more views, we retraced our steps to the station for the ride back down to the station on W Carson St. Unfortunately, many others were also waiting; it was extremely hot, and it was a very, very long wait. Back at the lower station, we still had a tiring walk back to the parking lot.
The experience was ok, but it wasn't worth the long wait at the upper station. We wouldn't do it again, and we can't recommend it for older people or anyone with mobility issues.
Written June 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AR4024
Kalamazoo, MI150 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
The ride up and down are not terribly interesting. The incline cars are not scary for kids or adults so this is an activity to consider for a family. The views from the top decks are great. It's a good way to see the skyline off the river. Cost is $5 round trip for an adult and $2.50 for a child. It is not well organized and most of the staff seemed frazzled, disinterested, or a little rude. It was an interesting experience. I'm plus or minus on this activity overall.
Written August 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SeniorTravelerTF
Fort Atkinson1,196 contributions
Sep 2021
Admittedly historic, but just stop in the upper lift station to view the historic signs and exhibits that describe the history of the incline and the city, and offers a deck with a good view of the city. The actual ride up and down is duplicated by inclines at other locations around the country and similar theme park rides, and the ride doesn't lead to anything notable on either end that you would want to include in your visit itinerary. Operators at either end were either numb or the most disinterested employees in the city.
Written October 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sanju_222323
New Jersey16,642 contributions
Sep 2022
Ride the cable car At Duquesne Incline and see the best views of downtown Pittsburgh
So whenever you see pictures of Pittsburgh, I am sure you are looking it downtown with and cable car in the foreground. it is easily one of the best things to do in Pittsburgh.
From the cars, there are great views out over the city. Once used to transport workers all the way back since the 1800s. they are still using two original 1877 cable cars, the Duquesne Incline is a working museum, with the upper station providing photos and displays on the history of the incline. at the top, you can also see the working mechanism, wheel, and all.
I don't know if it is the norm, but there was a guide in our cabin and he gave a brief idea about incline history, and how it come into the picture. Duquesne Incline was rescued and restored by a group of local residents in 1963 and still delights residents and visitors with its original, elegant, wooden cable cars
Parking: $10 and that's valid for 24 hours. Parking is more expensive than tickets which are just $5. You don't pay at the counter, you put the exact amount in a cylindrical box (nobody checks what you are putting in the container). a counter lady comes in a while and shoves it with a stick. i have never seen a system like this.
if you want to experience a slice of the city’s long history, go for it.
So whenever you see pictures of Pittsburgh, I am sure you are looking it downtown with and cable car in the foreground. it is easily one of the best things to do in Pittsburgh.
From the cars, there are great views out over the city. Once used to transport workers all the way back since the 1800s. they are still using two original 1877 cable cars, the Duquesne Incline is a working museum, with the upper station providing photos and displays on the history of the incline. at the top, you can also see the working mechanism, wheel, and all.
I don't know if it is the norm, but there was a guide in our cabin and he gave a brief idea about incline history, and how it come into the picture. Duquesne Incline was rescued and restored by a group of local residents in 1963 and still delights residents and visitors with its original, elegant, wooden cable cars
Parking: $10 and that's valid for 24 hours. Parking is more expensive than tickets which are just $5. You don't pay at the counter, you put the exact amount in a cylindrical box (nobody checks what you are putting in the container). a counter lady comes in a while and shoves it with a stick. i have never seen a system like this.
if you want to experience a slice of the city’s long history, go for it.
Written October 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
queengranjean
Virginia Beach, Virginia
How did the Duquesne Incline get its name as it is located on Mt Washington in Pittsburgh?
Written July 19, 2018
GO to the official duquesne incline website to answer for most questions:
I believe The French were established in this Indian territory before the English began making allliances.
The name Duquesne is prominent throughout Pittsburg.
Written October 8, 2019
WildcatATC
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
If you don't want to ride up the incline do you have to pay to go to the viewing platform?
Written February 28, 2018
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