Book cheap flights to Pittsburgh

June – August (summer) may bring the highest temperatures and rainfall of the year, but that doesn’t stop Pittsburgh from enjoying numerous concerts, fairs and outdoor festivals, such as the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival and the Pittsburgh Jazz Live International Festival (both in June). If you love a lively environment and can brave such conditions, this is the time to go, but make sure to book your flight ticket and accommodation in advance, since this is the time when the highest volume of tourists visit Pittsburgh. Should a relaxing time be what you’re really after, then consider visiting this American destination during the late spring (May) and early autumn (September). The rainfall will be lower during these months while the temperatures will be pleasantly warm. Events take place in Pittsburgh throughout the year, and these months are no different, with Pyrofest in May and the Thrival Innovation & Music Festival in September.

South Africans citizens will need a visa to visit Pittsburgh and the rest of the United States. Your passport must also be valid for six months after your return date and have two pages available for entry stamps. Visa processing tends to take a lot of time, so be prepared to make your application well in advance of your planned departure date.

The South African Consulate General in New York City serves the state of Pennsylvania.

Address: Home Affairs Section, 333 East 38th Street, 9th Floor, New York NY 10016

Phone: 1 212 213 4880

Fax: 1 212 856 1575

You should be safe exploring the tourist attractions of Pittsburgh. Most of the dangerous areas are residential. It would still be wise, however, to remain vigilant as you explore this American city. Areas that you should be careful in or avoid include:

• The Hill District (between Downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland)

• Homewood (on the far east side of the city)

• Wilkinsburg (outside of the far east side of the city)

• Lincoln-Larimer (on the far east side of the city)

• Central North Side

• Hazelwood (on the southwest of Squirrel Hill/Greenfield)

• Upper Homestead

When attending a football match, make sure not to wear any colours resembling those of the local team’s (Steelers) main rivals (the Baltimore Ravens). The same applies when attending a baseball game or an ice hockey match. Find out who the local teams are and who their rivals are to avoid unpleasant experiences.

When driving, cycling or walking, keep watch for drivers making the “Pittsburgh Left”. At traffic lights, a driver wishing to turn left will do so as soon as the green light displays. At many of the intersections, there is only one lane, so this left turn serves the purpose of preventing the creation of blocks in traffic.