With another football season underway, fans heading to Acrisure Stadium have more options than just sitting in North Shore traffic. From riverboats and light rail to scenic walks across Pittsburgh's iconic bridges, there are several ways to get to kickoff while avoiding the parking crunch.
Gateway Clipper offers a direct route to the stadium
One of the most unique game-day transportation options is the Gateway Clipper Fleet shuttle service from Station Square. The boats transport Steelers and Pitt fans across the Monongahela River directly to the North Shore. Shuttle tickets cost $7.50 one-way or $15 round trip, and children 6 and under ride free. For Steelers games, boats begin running three hours before kickoff and continue until one hour after the game. Return trips start during the fourth quarter,
allowing fans to beat some of the postgame rush.
The Gateway Clipper provides one of Pittsburgh's most distinctive game-day experiences. Rather than dealing with traffic around the North Shore, fans can depart from Station Square and take a short ride across the river to a dock near Acrisure Stadium.
The service operates for Steelers and Pitt home games and gives fans a way to avoid both crowded roads and the search for parking close to kickoff.
The T provides an easy and affordable alternative
For fans looking to save money, Pittsburgh Regional Transit offers perhaps the easiest option. The T light rail systemstops at Allegheny Station, located just steps from Acrisure Stadium.
Riders can also take advantage of the T's free fare zone, which includes First Avenue, Steel Plaza, Wood Street, Gateway, North Side and Allegheny stations. That allows passengers to travel between Downtown Pittsburgh and the North Shore at no cost while heading to or from the game.
For many fans coming from parking garages, office buildings or hotels downtown, the T can eliminate the need to drive to the stadium area altogether.
Walking offers some of the city's best views
Many fans also choose to make the trip on foot. The Fort Duquesne Bridge provides one of the shortest and most scenic walks from Downtown to the stadium.
The pedestrian path offers sweeping views of Point State Park, the city's skyline and Pittsburgh's three rivers before delivering fans directly to the North Shore. On pleasant fall days, it's often a popular option for fans who want to take in the atmosphere before kickoff.
Driving remains an option, but plan ahead
Driving remains an option, but it often comes with the biggest headaches. Parking lots around Acrisure Stadium can fill up quickly, especially for Steelers games, and traffic backups frequently develop on Interstate 279, Route 65 and major North Shore roadways well before kickoff.
Whether by boat, train, bridge or car, planning ahead can make game day a little less stressful and a lot more enjoyable.
This story was produced by reporter Gabby Sartori, [gsartori@usatodayco.com], with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Best ways to get to Acrisure Stadium for game day
