Amtrak

I thought I would explore the possibility of not having to again drive the monotonous, mind-​numbing and increasing expensive Pennsylvania Turnpike from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg for work. Enter Amtrak Pennsylvanian service. I had read so-​so reviews on various travel sites about the lack of service and connection in Harrisburg and approached my adventure with some trepidation.
Price
Go Business Class. It is not that expensive and still much cheaper than driving. business Class give you free beverages, wide seats, electrical outlets to plus in your electronics and ample space to work. It is quiet and clean and the people are friends. There are some regulars and retirees. The coach is separate from coach and not full. [Coach ~$ 50 each way; Business Class ~ $ 68 each way; Turnpike Tolls ~ $ 25 each way + gas + vehicle and human body wear and tear]
Space
Lots of it (in Business Class — coach pretty crowded). I gained back 8 hrs (4+4) of my life and arrived relaxed! Internet connectivity is free but sometimes cuts out because Amtrak has to rely on cell towers for connection. Just plan to work offline intermittently.
Schedule
This is limited, but it is what it is. Pittsburgh departure is 7:30AM from the downtown Amtrak station. Easy to get to, Arrive in Harrisburg at 1PM. Return departure is 2:40PM and get back to Pittsburgh at 8:00PM. Not good for a single day trip but if you have overnights, it works.
Connections
I was fearful about this; however, I hooked up with Enterprise car rental (601 Cameron St. — about 6 blocks away). Was met by their representative who took my right to the rental place and on returning returned me promptly to the station. Very very easy — better, simpler and less stressful than any airport car rental experience. If you need to go only to Harrisburg City, there are also lots of cabs.
Conclusion
The Pennsylvanian is no Orient Express, but it is a very viable (depending on your schedule), affordable and productive alternative for business travelers between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. Just go Business Class.

Old school train station. There’s three ticket windows — only one will be open (no central heat and probably no air conditioning). There is a suspect ATM that can be rolled away, but is available if you are desperate. They do not make an overhead announcement on the PA when trains are boarding so just follow the crowd when ppl start to walk toward a train, make sure you ask someone if it’s the right train because there’s no way to know for sure. It’s not crowded… considering its Harrisburg and no more than one train leaves in an hour. No one will help you with your luggage down the stairs to the actual train so if you can’t lift it don’t bring it smh. I am sure they have a passenger elevator for disabled and handicapped individuals to stay compliant with ADA regulations, though it wasn’t apparent. Once I returned to the station after my trip one of the employees let me and a few others to a freight service elevator in the office portion of the station, I hope this isn’t the only elevator they have. Lastly, there’s not «Amtrak» parking lot or garage. Sigh, there is a private garage nearby (Chestnut Street parking garage) but it’s a ridiculous $ 25 a day. These trains leave on the dot so don’t be late! Good luck…

We bought our tickets ahead. It was quick and easy. Try the Amtrak App on your smart phone.
I didn’t pay much attention to the area around the train station as I went from the train to the car. My boyfriend and I were visiting his grandparents in New Cumberland so it was an easy commute. It worked for our flexible schedule, were able to relax. It was clean, typical.

This review is strictly for the service available from Harrisburg to NYC. There are not enough times in the day for travels to leave Harrisburg at a decent time. The earliest is 5:00am, and then doesn’t leave again until 8 something in the morning. Prices are drastically different depending on the time of day you choose to leave –unfair. The closer to your travel date, the higher the price so purchase early!
Never had problems with tickets on board or printing at the station.

I love Amtrak, but hate this station. Between the less-​desirable element, the neighborhood just looks and feels unsafe. Parking is a roach, and overall station amenities are minimalistic at best. The only thing the station has going for it is the old GG1 locomotive on display, but Amtrak won’t let you go near it because they fear, you’ll get hit by a train even if it is on public display on a platform.

I’ve ridden Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian Service train many times for business and travel. Still, I can’t give this train anything higher than a two-​star rating. Believe me, the low rating has nothing to do with the crews, cleanliness, equipment, comfort, scenery, or punctuality.
Nope, the low rating is because the schedule sucks! It sucks for business travelers and it sucks for lesiure travelers. Just see my previous reviews for reasons why! I miss having that second train a day which left Harrisburg later (thus allowing a full business day) and had a real dining car with real sit down meals!
Still it beats driving or taking the Dawg (a.k.a. Greyhound)!