Getting Around Allentown
Allentown is a relatively easy city to navigate, and much of it is walkable or bikeable. The downtown core is compact, so once you're there, you can leave the car behind and explore on foot. The city's street grid helps you keep your bearings: the main east–west streets run in order from north to south (Sumner, Whitehall, Greenleaf, Cedar, Washington, Green, Tilghman, Allen, Liberty, Gordon, Chew, Turner, Linden, Hamilton, Walnut, and Union), while numbered streets run north to south, starting at 1 on the west side and continuing eastward.
Rail, Metro and Tram
Allentown does not currently have a local rail, metro, or tram network for getting around the city. The closest commercial rail station is 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, a major East Coast Amtrak hub, where you can rent a car. Plans have been discussed to create a train service between New York City and Allentown, but as of now there is no such service to rely on for your trip.
Buses and Public Transport
Extensive public bus service in Allentown and South Whitehall Township is provided by the Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA). LANTA operates local and regional transportation connecting the Allentown Transportation Center (Platforms A, B, and C) with Lehigh Valley Mall, the Bethlehem Transportation Center, the Easton Intermodal Center, and various places throughout the surrounding Lehigh Valley.
The Allentown Transportation Center, at 110–112 N 6th in center city, is the hub for both local and intercity buses. Several commercial bus companies serve it from Platform C:
- Fullington Trailways – connects Allentown with New York, Newark, Easton, Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley Airport, Jim Thorpe, Hazleton, Danville, Lewisburg, Williamsport, and more.
- Greyhound/Flixbus – service to Pittsburgh (via Harrisburg and State College), Philadelphia, and New York (via Newark, NJ or Easton/Bethlehem).
- Martz Trailways – service to Scranton and Philadelphia, where passengers can connect to other Pennsylvania cities as well as destinations in Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
- OurBus – daily service from New York City and weekend service from Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Binghamton, and Ithaca, arriving at the I-476 Allentown Service Plaza near Wescosville.
- Trans-Bridge Lines – daily service to Allentown from New York City and Newark, New Jersey, including several express buses per day into New York City, plus service to and from Lehigh Valley Airport.
- Uptown Vans – door-to-door service throughout Allentown, with a route to Newark Airport, Union City, and Upper Manhattan.
For fares, passes, and schedules on the local LANTA network, check with LANTA directly; for intercity routes, book through the individual operators.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Multiple cab and limousine companies operate throughout Allentown and the wider Lehigh Valley, giving you a conventional taxi option alongside the bus network. Ride-hailing services are also an option in the area, though the source material does not detail specific providers.
Walking and Biking
The main Allentown downtown area is small and easy to walk. Many visitors park in one of the downtown garages and then explore on foot. Biking is another good way to get around, especially given the city's extensive trail and park systems. The Bridle Path in Lehigh Parkway is a highlight: you can stop to feed the fish at the Fish Hatchery, visit the Museum of Indian Culture, or pedal along a trail that takes you to a covered bridge.
Getting Around by Car
Most visitors to the Lehigh Valley will want to either rent a car or drive their own, and Allentown is well connected by major highways. Interstate 78 is a major east–west route running from central Pennsylvania to the Holland Tunnel and Manhattan, with Allentown-area exits at 57, 58, and 59. U.S. Route 22 is a four-lane limited-access freeway across the north side of the city and is often the best route of approach, though it is prone to minor traffic jams and accidents, especially during rush hour. Those jams are usually short and clear within about half an hour. Interstate 78 is a better bet during rush hours, as it is as wide as eight lanes in some areas.
Within the city, a few quirks are worth knowing. Seventh Street is one-way, so if you're heading north toward Whitehall Township, use Sixth Street instead. Route 145 turns off Sixth Street at Greenleaf Street for one block and then joins Seventh Street. Hamilton Street is a continuation of US 222/Hamilton Boulevard and provides easy access from Reading and Lancaster; it continues into nearby Bethlehem as Hanover Avenue, giving direct access to that city's downtown. Tilghman Street is another useful east–west thoroughfare that also provides access to Bethlehem and Easton as Union Boulevard.
If you're driving in from New Jersey, note that the major bridges across the Delaware River are free eastbound but some require tolls westbound. From points southeast and northwest of Allentown, PA Route 309 provides fairly quick access. PA Route 33 from I-80 is the best approach for travelers coming to Allentown from the Poconos.
Getting from the Airport into the City
The primary and most convenient point of airline entry to Allentown and the rest of the Lehigh Valley is Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), located northeast of Allentown. Car rental services and commercial and public bus services are available for ground transportation from the airport, and some of the same bus companies that serve the Allentown Transportation Center also offer service to and from the airport — check their schedules. Trans-Bridge Lines, for example, serves the airport as well as New York City and Newark.
Two larger airports are farther away but offer a wider selection of flights:
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) – the busiest airport in Pennsylvania, south of Allentown. Cars are available for rent, and buses depart for Allentown from the airport or from the Philadelphia Greyhound Terminal at 1001 Filbert St. in Center City Philadelphia.
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in Newark, New Jersey – a bit farther away than PHL but sometimes worth considering, especially for international travelers. It offers car rentals and bus service to Allentown.
Whichever airport you choose, your practical options into the city are renting a car, taking a commercial bus, or arranging a door-to-door van service such as Uptown Vans.