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City guide

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

S. commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Type CityPopulation 50,099Metro Area Population 615,000

Why go

  • Capital city of Pennsylvania, United States.
  • Served by Harrisburg International Airport (MDT).

History

Harrisburg is the capital city of the U.S. commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the ninth-most populous city in the state, with a population of 50,099 at the 2020 census, while the Harrisburg–Carlisle metropolitan statistical area has an estimated 615,000 residents and is the fourth-most populous metropolitan area in Pennsylvania. Harrisburg is situated on the east bank of the Susquehanna River 83 miles (134 km) southwest of Allentown and 107 miles (172 km) northwest of Philadelphia. It is officially incorporated as a third-class city and is the county seat of Dauphin County.

Airports

Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) 7.6 mi to the centre
Harrisburg, PA, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 10 airlines (American Airlines, US Airways, Allegiant Air, Delta Air Lines…) · direct flights to 12 destinations incl. Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, Charlotte, Philadelphia… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 10 airlines, 12 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Capital City Airport (HAR) 3.7 mi to the centre
Harrisburg, PA, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
York Airport (THV) 24 mi to the centre
Thomasville, PA, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Gusler Airport 14 mi to the centre
Halifax, PA, US
Outdoor
Chestnut Hill Airport 14 mi to the centre
Duncannon, PA, US
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Harrisburg International Airport (MDT); 5 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: MDT has direct flights to 12 destinations on 10 airlines (incl. Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, Charlotte, Philadelphia…).

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Local transit

Bus · York, Pennsylvania · Schedules & GTFS data (official feed)

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach