PNC Park: Guide for Visiting Fans

The single best thing you can do is take Pittsburgh's light rail system, known as the "T." The Port Authority of Allegheny County's Light Rail Transit links Downtown to the North Shore, and two light rail stations service that area: Allegheny Station and North Shore Station. North Side Station sits diagonally across General Robinson Street from PNC Park's Home Plate entrance , making it arguably the most stadium-adjacent transit stop in all of MLB. Better yet, travel within the Free Fare Zone — from Allegheny Station on the North Shore through Downtown to First Avenue Station — is completely free, making the T a simple and affordable option for moving around central Pittsburgh.

Flying in? The closest airport is Pittsburgh International (PIT), approximately 19 miles from PNC Park. Bus service to the airport is available on the 28X – Airport Flyer, with a limited number of stops between Downtown and Pittsburgh International Airport. The 28X operates daily from about 4:00 AM to midnight, every 30 minutes in each direction, with a travel time of typically 45–60 minutes depending on traffic. From Downtown, hop the free T north to the stadium. Rideshare from PIT to the ballpark will run you $40 or more.

By car, drivers can take I-279, I-376, or I-579 as well as Route 19 North, Route 28 South, Route 51 North, or Route 65 South. If using a rideshare or taxi, designated drop-off and pick-up zones are located east on Isabella Street and west along the eastbound section of General Robinson.

North Shore parking is plentiful but priced accordingly on game days. There are several available lots and garages throughout the North Shore neighborhood surrounding the stadium, but fans must have a pre-paid parking pass via ParkMobile. Parking around PNC Park can cost anywhere between $25 to $75 on game and event days, depending on the type of parking and location. The closer lots — particularly those on General Robinson — sell out early and carry the premium price tags.

The smarter play for many visiting fans is to park Downtown instead. There are more than 20,000 public parking spaces in Downtown Pittsburgh. The Pirates strongly encourage fans, especially families, to arrive as early as possible or find alternate parking in the Golden Triangle in one of the nine Pittsburgh Parking Authority Garages and take advantage of the free "T" service. You'll likely pay less Downtown, skip the post-game lot gridlock, and the free light rail ride across the river under the Allegheny is genuinely fun. Guests can also search for downtown parking via the ParkPGH website and walk across the Roberto Clemente Bridge or Andy Warhol (7th Street) Bridge to the ballpark. The Roberto Clemente Bridge is closed to vehicular traffic on game days, allowing pedestrians to walk freely to the park.

North Shore is the obvious first answer. The Hyatt Place Pittsburgh North Shore is located just 1,312 feet from PNC Park — that's a five-minute walk. There are several hotels within minutes of PNC Park; the closest options are the Residence Inn Pittsburgh and Hyatt Place Pittsburgh, with the SpringHill Suites Pittsburgh and Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel also being good options. The Residence Inn in particular gets raves from visiting fans because, as one reviewer put it, "we stayed in the Residence Inn by Marriott North Shore — you literally walk out the door and the park is across the street."

If you want to pay a bit less and still have easy access, book in Downtown Pittsburgh (the Golden Triangle). You're one free T ride from the stadium, you're near better restaurant options for dinner before the game, and you avoid the North Shore premium pricing on summer weekends. The Cultural District neighborhood along Penn Avenue has a concentration of hotels and is extremely walkable. Avoid booking all the way out in the suburbs — traffic on the inbound expressways before games can be genuinely painful.

Mike's Beer Bar (110 Federal St.) is the pre-game destination of choice for beer people. Literally across the street from the center field gates at PNC Park, Mike's Beer Bar is a beer lover's paradise, with a selection that'll keep any craft beer traveler busy for a full pregame. Go early — it fills up fast.

North Shore Tavern (801 North Shore Drive) is where you go when you want something more sit-down. North Shore Tavern is Pittsburgh's newest steakhouse and premier destination for food, cold beer, and love of all things baseball, located on Federal Street directly across from PNC Park; their signature menu item, Steak on a Stone, has taken Pittsburgh by storm.

Voodoo Brewing (337 North Shore Drive) is worth knowing about. Voodoo Brewing's North Shore taproom has a laid-back atmosphere and an ever-changing lineup of creative beers, from bold barrel-aged brews to experimental flavor combinations. It's a proper taproom, not a sports bar — a good call if you want to breathe before heading into the crowd.

Burgatory is a local burger bar that's become a North Shore institution. It's a step above typical pregame fare and consistently draws repeat visits from traveling fans. The North Shore locals are also big fans of Burgatory, Mike's Beer Bar, and Federal Galley for dining options.

Each guest is permitted to bring one bag into the ballpark (purses, fanny packs, backpacks, etc.) provided that the bag is soft-sided and 16" × 16" × 8" or smaller. Bags exceeding these dimensions will not be permitted, and all bags are subject to search. Small clutch purses and fanny packs must be 8" × 5" × 1" or smaller. If your bag doesn't fit, PNC Park does offer a service with a third-party locker company for those with non-compliant bags, located outside the stadium on Isabella Street across from the Willie Stargell Gate.

Gates to PNC Park open 90 minutes before first pitch, with the exception of weekday games starting at 6:40 p.m., when gates open one hour ahead. Outside food is allowed — and this is a significant policy that many visiting fans don't know about. Fans can bring bottled water and food into the ballpark, though water bottles must be no bigger than 24 ounces and must be clear, plastic, sealed, and disposable. Also: all Pirates tickets will be delivered digitally via the MLB Ballpark app , and screenshots of your tickets will not be accepted — have the app open and ready before you reach the gate.

PNC Park's two-deck design and relatively compact footprint work in favor of accessible navigation. Wheelchair-accessible seating is distributed throughout the ballpark, including in the lower bowl, upper deck, and outfield areas, and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Accessible parking is available in all lots on a first-come, first-served basis. Elevators serve all levels of the stadium and accessible entrances are available at multiple gates, including the Home Plate Gate. Assistive listening devices are available through Guest Services, located in the main concourse. The ballpark also offers sensory-friendly resources; contact the Pirates directly in advance for details on quiet rooms or accommodations for guests with sensory sensitivities. ADA drop-off is facilitated at designated zones on Isabella Street.

There is no formal designated away fan section at PNC Park, which is actually fine — the crowd is relaxed enough that away fans are scattered throughout without much friction. PNC Park was designed quite well and almost every seat offers a stellar view. The only seats that are less recommended are the outfield seating areas — while they may be the cheapest seats in the house, you also have your back to the gorgeous skyline.

The sweet spot for visiting fans is the first-base side lower bowl (sections 112–120) or upper deck along the first-base line (sections 310–322). You get the skyline view, you're looking slightly away from the home dugout (which is on the third-base side, unusually), and the sightlines in this park are clean from everywhere. As one of the few MLB venues built with a two-deck design, PNC Park keeps fans closer to the field while making space for downtown skyline views at nearly every seat. Whatever you do, spring for a seat that lets you face the city — that's the whole point of coming here.

The marquee item is the Primanti Brothers sandwich. Pittsburgh's hometown specialty from Primanti Brothers consists of meat, cheese, hand-cut French fries, tomatoes, and coleslaw between two slices of Italian bread — all in one sandwich, no tray needed. You can't miss the Primanti Brothers concession stand near Section 110. It is genuinely good, and it is genuinely cheaper than most options in the park. Primanti Brothers is among the more affordable options at the park as well.

For barbecue, head to Manny's BBQ in left field — named for Pirates legend Manny Sanguillen. The menu features topped Mrs. T's mini pierogies with either BBQ pork or chicken, plus house-smoked BBQ pork and chicken, mac and cheese, and slaw. For craft beer drinkers, the Bullpen Tap Bar offers eight of local brewer Fat Head's signature beers on tap along with a rotating selection from other breweries such as North County, Cinderlands Beer Co, and even Threadbare Cider. Caliente Pizza & Draft House serves up giant slices of Sicilian, pepperoni, and cheese pizza and has earned a genuine following inside the park.

In 2025, a 24 oz domestic can ran about $15.09, imported cans were approximately $15.69, water was $8.15 for a liter, and a meal at a generic stadium restaurant runs about $16. PNC Park is a cashless and smoke-free venue , and a reverse ATM will be available to convert cash to a pre-paid Mastercard, free of charge.

Pittsburgh fans are the best kind of sports crowd: passionate about their team but not hostile toward yours. You'll get ribbed if you're wearing Cardinals or Cubs gear, but it's almost always good-natured — this isn't a place where visiting fans feel unsafe, and it's not a place where you need to be quiet about who you're rooting for. What you will encounter is a crowd that genuinely loves this ballpark, and it's infectious. One thing that catches first-timers off guard: unlike most ballparks, PNC Park's home dugout is located along the third base line instead of the first base line , which means the first-base side actually gives visiting fans a slightly better look at the away team's dugout. The atmosphere gets noticeably louder for marquee opponents — Cubs and Cardinals fans travel well to Pittsburgh, so if that's your team, you won't feel alone.

By Light Rail (best option): The T is genuinely the cleanest exit in the building. After the final out, walk directly to North Side Station, diagonally across from the Home Plate entrance. The T runs frequently post-game with enhanced service, and the free fare zone means no fumbling for tickets. Expect a 5–10 minute wait in the queue; trains move quickly. You can be at a Downtown hotel within 10 minutes of boarding.

By Car: The lots adjacent to the stadium on General Robinson are predictably the worst to exit — plan on 30–45 minutes of gridlock if you're parked right next to the park. The better move is the Downtown garage strategy: your car is already on the other side of the river, and traffic from the South Side and Downtown dissipates faster than the North Shore bottleneck. Fans can park at Station Square on the South Side and take the light rail transit train to the North Shore, which means they're also better positioned to leave after the game.

By Rideshare: Surge pricing hits hard immediately after final out. Rideshare and taxi pick-up and drop-off zones are located in two areas: east on Isabella Street and west along the eastbound section of General Robinson. The tip here is simple: wait 20–25 minutes after the game ends, walk two blocks away from the stadium, and request your ride from there. Prices drop meaningfully once you're out of the immediate surge zone, and the pickup will be faster too.

One opinionated tip: If you're in no rush, the Riverwalk along the Allegheny is beautiful at night — sit on the concourse and let 15,000 people leave before you move. The views are worth lingering for.

How do I get to PNC Park without a car?

Take the free T service between Downtown Pittsburgh and North Shore destinations including PNC Park. Board at any Downtown T station (Gateway Center, Wood Street, Steel Plaza) and ride to North Side Station — it's free, it's fast, and it drops you steps from the Home Plate entrance.

What is the PNC Park bag policy?

Each guest may bring one bag into the ballpark, provided it is soft-sided and 16" × 16" × 8" or smaller. Anything larger must be checked outside at the locker service on Isabella Street.

Can I bring food and water into PNC Park?

Outside food is permitted along with water bottles that are clear, sealed, plastic, and disposable (max 24 oz). Alcohol and sodas cannot be brought in from outside.

How much does parking cost at PNC Park?

Parking around PNC Park can cost anywhere between $25 to $75 on game and event days, depending on the type of parking and location. Parking Downtown and taking the free T is generally cheaper and less stressful.

What are the best seats for away fans? The first-base side lower and upper deck (sections 112–120 and 310–322 range) gives you clean sightlines, a great view of the Pittsburgh skyline, and puts you slightly away from the densest concentration of home fans. Avoid outfield bleacher seats if the skyline view matters to you.

When do gates open?

Gates open 90 minutes before first pitch, with the exception of weekday games starting at 6:40 p.m., when gates open one hour ahead.

Is PNC Park cashless?

PNC Park is a completely cashless ballpark. Credit and debit cards as well as Apple/Google Pay are accepted. A reverse ATM is available to convert cash to a pre-paid Mastercard, free of charge.

How far is Pittsburgh International Airport from PNC Park?

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is approximately 19 miles from PNC Park. Take the 28X Airport Flyer bus to Downtown ($2.75), then transfer to the free T north to the stadium. Budget about 75–90 minutes total.