Duquesne Incline | Pittsburgh

The Duquesne Incline is a historic funicular railway that carries passengers up and down the steep face of Mount Washington in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Operating since May 20 1877, it remains one of the city’s most iconic attractions, offering panoramic views of the downtown skyline and the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers.

Overview
• Type: Wooden-car–style funicular railway
• Route length: 800 ft (244 m)
• Vertical rise: 400 ft (122 m) at a 30-degree grade
• Cars: Two original 1877 cable cars, each holding about 25 passengers
• Power: Electric motor driving a continuous steel cable
• Status: In daily public service and listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Location
• Lower Station: 1197 West Carson Street, South Shore neighborhood (near the Fort Pitt Bridge)
• Upper Station & Observation Deck: 1220 Grandview Avenue, Mount Washington

Operating Hours
• Monday – Saturday: 5:30 am – 12:45 am
• Sunday & holidays: 7:00 am – 12:45 am
Observation deck and gift shop open during operating hours. The line runs continuously; typical wait time is under ten minutes.

Fares (2025)
• One-way: Adults $3.50 | Children (6–11) $1.75 | Under 6 free
• Round-trip: Adults $7.00 | Children $3.50
• Light-rail transfer discount available with Port Authority ConnectCard
• Cash accepted on board; ticket machines at both stations accept cards

Facilities & Accessibility
• Upper-station museum: Small exhibits on Pittsburgh’s inclines, early photographs, and mechanical displays of the hoisting equipment (free with paid fare)
• Observation deck: Open-air wooden platform with unobstructed skyline views; coin-operated binoculars available
• Gift shop: Souvenirs, local crafts, snacks, and beverages
• Accessibility: Historic cars have narrow doors and steps; wheelchair users can access the observation deck via street-level entrance on Grandview Avenue, but the cars themselves are not wheelchair-accessible

Parking & Transit
• Lower station: Free but limited hillside lot; additional metered street parking along West Carson Street
• Upper station: Metered street parking on Grandview Avenue; spots fill quickly during peak times
• Public transit: Frequent Port Authority buses serve both ends; lower station is a ten-minute walk from Station Square light-rail stop via Smithfield Street Bridge riverwalk

History Highlights
1877 – Built by engineer Samuel Diescher to transport workers from hilltop homes to riverside factories
1888 – Converted from steam to electric power
1962 – Threatened with closure; restored and operated by the nonprofit Society for the Preservation of the Duquesne Incline after a successful community campaign
1975 – Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Today – Carries commuters on weekdays and tourists year-round, averaging about 500,000 riders annually

Visitor Tips
• Arrive before sunset for daylight ascent and stay on Grandview Avenue for night-time skyline lights.
• Weekends between 11 am and 4 pm are busiest; early morning or late evening rides are quieter.
• Combine your visit with a stroll along Grandview Avenue to Point of View Park or with dining at Mount Washington’s restaurants.
• Photography is best from the front windows of the ascending car and from the observation deck.
• Dress for hillside wind, especially in cooler months, and be prepared for brief temperature changes between river level and hilltop.

The Duquesne Incline blends Victorian engineering with spectacular views, offering both a practical commute and a quintessential Pittsburgh experience.