Jim Thorpe Train from Pittston | Fare, Times And Day Plan

Reading & Northern’s regular Pittston excursion costs $39 round trip and gives riders about five hours in Jim Thorpe.

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Reserve the Jim Thorpe Train from Pittston for a full-day scenic excursion rather than ordinary intercity transportation. The 2026 regular trip leaves Pittston at 8:45 a.m., reaches Jim Thorpe by 11:05 a.m., and returns to Pittston by about 6:30 p.m.

The ticket is sold as a round trip, so this train is not designed for a one-way transfer or an open-ended stay. Riders get a long layover in downtown Jim Thorpe, then reboard the same excursion for the northbound return.

Pittston To Jim Thorpe By Train: Schedule And Fare

Reading & Northern’s regular 2026 excursion costs $39 per person from Pittston, with every rider needing a ticket regardless of age. The standard schedule provides roughly five hours in Jim Thorpe, but special-event dates can use different times and fares.

The route calendar lists regular-season dates through September 20, followed by selected dates in November and December. Availability changes as trains fill, so compare the live options before building the rest of the day around a particular departure:

Schedule exception: The September 12, 2026 trip is listed for a 10:00 a.m. Pittston departure, a 12:20 p.m. Jim Thorpe arrival, and a 7:49 p.m. return to Pittston.

How Long Is The Train Ride?

The outbound rail trip takes about 2 hours 20 minutes, while the scheduled return takes about 2 hours 25 minutes. The route climbs from the Wyoming Valley over Penobscot Mountain, then follows the Lehigh Gorge toward Jim Thorpe.

The train makes passenger stops at Penobscot and White Haven, which explains why driving is faster. The rail trip earns its time through scenery and the day-trip format, not raw speed.

Reading & Northern publishes the current times, fares, station stops, and date-specific changes on its official Pittston excursion timetable. Check that page again shortly before departure because special trains and operating conditions can alter the listed plan.

What The Ticket Covers

The regular fare covers round-trip rail travel from the station printed on the ticket and the layover in Jim Thorpe. Meals, snacks, local attractions, and any separate Lehigh Gorge train ride are not included.

• Bring the email confirmation on paper or on a phone; Pittston riders exchange it for the actual ticket at the station.
• Seating is general admission unless the selected ticket clearly names another class.
• Restrooms are available aboard the train.
• Passengers may bring food and nonalcoholic drinks.
• Snacks and beverages may be sold for cash on selected excursions.
• Tickets are nonrefundable, though the railroad’s stated policy permits advance exchanges for another available trip.

Regular trips are scheduled with diesel locomotives. Steam, fall-color, holiday, and other special excursions are listed separately and may have different equipment, seating categories, boarding rules, or prices.

Boarding At Pittston Station

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Regional Railroad Station is at 718 North Main Street in Pittston, Pennsylvania, and the railroad lists free parking at its boarding locations. Arriving by 8:15 a.m. leaves time to park, show the confirmation, collect the paper ticket, and find seats before the 8:45 a.m. departure.

Groups of eight or more should arrive at least 30 minutes early for a better chance of sitting together. The train leaves at the published time, so a late arrival can mean missing the entire outing.

Travelers using wheelchairs or mobility equipment should call the passenger office before buying because not every historic railcar or station setup is accessible. Registered service animals are permitted, but other pets should stay home for this all-day excursion.

Planning The Jim Thorpe Layover

The scheduled layover is long enough for lunch, a downtown walk, and one main attraction without rushing. Choose the one activity that matters most, then leave room for lines, meal service, and the walk back to the train.

1. Start with the farthest planned stop while energy and time are on your side.
2. Eat before the busiest lunch period or choose a place with counter service.
3. Set a phone alarm at least 30 minutes before the 4:05 p.m. departure.
4. Return early rather than counting on the final minute; the excursion follows a fixed railroad schedule.

Downtown Jim Thorpe can become crowded on fall weekends and festival dates. A simpler plan with one paid attraction and flexible street time is safer than stacking timed admissions across the whole layover.

Where To Stay After The Excursion

Jim Thorpe works as an overnight stop when one afternoon is not enough, but the excursion ticket still expects riders to return to Pittston that day. Anyone staying overnight should arrange separate transportation and confirm the railroad’s ticket rules before skipping the return leg.

For lodging near downtown streets and the main visitor area, compare the available locations on the map:

The Right Choice For Your Day

The Pittston departure is the strongest fit for Wyoming Valley riders who want the longest scenic segment and a car-free day in Jim Thorpe. A different boarding point or driving makes more sense when schedule control matters more than the rail experience.

• Choose Pittston: You want the full route, free station parking, and nearly five hours in town.
• Choose Penobscot: Mountain Top is closer and a slightly later boarding time helps.
• Choose White Haven: You want the lowest regular fare and a shorter time aboard.
• Drive instead: You need a one-way trip, an early return, an overnight stay, or freedom to change plans.

The practical decision is simple: take the excursion for the train ride and structured day out; drive when Jim Thorpe itself is the sole priority. For the rail option, arrive 30 minutes early, carry the confirmation, plan one anchor activity, and be back at the platform well before 4:05 p.m.