Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Getting There

Get in

By plane

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)[1] is minutes from the city and is served by taxis and the SEPTA R1 Regional Rail Line. Taxis offer a flat rate of $26.25 from the airport to Center City. The R1 railway line serves each terminal throughout the day until approximately midnight and takes about twenty minutes to travel between the airport and center city Philadelphia, making stops at all major commuter tunnel stations: 30th Street Station (Amtrak), Suburban Station (Penn Center, City Hall, Center City) and Market East Station (East Market Street, The Gallery, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Reading Terminal). Tickets for the R1 train can be purchased onboard the train, cash-only, for about 9$. Alternately, the #37 SEPTA bus stops at all terminals (Directly outside baggage claim) and goes into South Philadelphia, terminating at the Broad Street Line subway station Snyder. The trip costs 2$ cash, payable to the driver.

The predominant carrier at PHL is US Airways, which offers flights to destinations throughout the US and Europe, as well as a handful to Latin America. Southwest has become US Airways' main domestic competitor at PHL since 2004, and the two airlines constantly attempt to outbid each other's fares on many trunk routes.

Alternatively, you can fly to Newark International Airport (EWR) or Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), each of which has a more or less direct connection by Amtrak to 30th Street Station (1 hour from EWR; 80 minutes from BWI). Other New York and Washington-area airports are much less convenient.

By train

The city is a major hub along Amtrak's [2] Northeast Corridor and Keystone lines, with frequent trains (at least once an hour during the day) from the nation's largest cities. Inbound trains from Washington and New York arrive at least once an hour during the day; 30th Street Station is also part of Amtrak's Acela High Speed Corridor which allows for faster travel times between the major Northeast Corridor cities. The Keystone and Pennsylvanian trains arrive in Philadelphia many times throughout the day, with Keystone service between Harrisburg and Philadelphia arriving eight times each day and Pennsylvanian service between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia arriving twice each day.

It's also possible to get to Philadelphia from New York via commuter rail. Using this method, one would take New Jersey Transit from Penn Station to Trenton and then transfer to SEPTA's R7 regional rail. While this is about a third the price of Amtrak service from New York, it is more than an hour slower.

All SEPTA regional commuter lines stop at the SEPTA Platform at 30th Street Station. Commuter rail is an efficient way to see the scenic Philadelphia suburbs and enjoy the shopping that the city's 'burbs have to offer. New Jersey transit to and from Atlantic City makes stops around the clock at the station. SEPTA's Market-Frankford Elevated Line Subway stops just one block outside the station at a newly-renovated station and is efficient for travel between 30th Street, Old City, and West Philadelphia.

As a last resort, and most costly depending on destination, 30th Street Station has a taxi platform just outside the main entrance that is served by all major Philadelphia taxi companies.

By car

Philadelphia is located at the crossroads of many of the region's and the nation's most vital Interstates. Interstate 95 runs along the Eastern edge of Philadelphia as it traverses the East coast from Maine to Miami. In addition, Philadelphia is linked to the Pennsylvania Turnpike which traverses the state from East to West. The Northeast Extension of the Turnpike connects Philadelphia to the Poconos and Wilkes-Barre-Scranton. Philadelphia is also served by Interstates 76 and 676, which connect directly to the New Jersey Turnpike and Atlantic City Expressway, and indirectly to the Garden State Parkway.

Parking - it is important to consider that Philadelphia is a city of 1.4 million and the center of a metro area of 6 million, and as such, the roads are congested round-the-clock and the parking is far from cheap. Should you choose to bring a car, check with your hotel about parking in the city. Legal street parking is available but is very difficult to find close to Center City attractions or hotels. Secured parking garages can cost you (up to $35 per day or higher in some cases).

Traffic - Compared to other US cities (i.e. New York, Boston, Los Angeles) there is much less traffic within the city. Most of the traffic is contained to Interstate 95, Interstate 676, and surrounding road. The most heavily trafficed area within the city is in the Chinatown and South Street area

By bus

Philadelphia is served by the Greyhound, Trailways and Peter Pan bus routes to cities across the United States. The city is also served by an exclusive Chinatown Bus service, which connects Philadelphia's Chinatown district to the Chinatown section of New York (city)|New York City and Washington D.C. The buses, though amazingly cheap in comparison to their more corporate competitors, are far from luxurious; they also use small terminals in both Chinatown districts, which can be daunting and undesirable for a first trip or any trip. But if it's a bargain you're looking for, the Chinatown buses are by far the best one you'll find between the two cities.

• Apex Bus [3] $20 one way, $35 round-trip (from NYC). The New York City stop is at 88 East Broadway. The stop for Philadelphia is on 121 N 11th Street. The ride is only about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

• Today's Bus [4] $12 each way (from NYC). The New York City stop is at 88 East Broadway. The stop for Philadelphia is on 121 N 11th Street. No advance purchase is required.

• Goto Bus [5] You can search several carriers through this site. Sometimes discounts are given from this site.

• New Century Travel [6] $20 round-trip (from NYC). Offers service from both New York and Washington D.C. The New York City stop is at 88 East Broadway. The stop for Philadelphia is at 55 N 11th Street.

• Megabus [7] Provides service from New York City; fares start at $1 when ordered far enough in advance. Buses arrive and depart from the south side of John F Kennedy Boulevard, just west of 30th Street near 30th Street Station.

• BoltBus [8] Provides service from New York City; fares start at $1 when ordered far enough in advance. Buses arrive and depart from 30th Street and Market Street, near 30th Street Station.

Note: If you buy tickets online, be sure to get on the right bus. Some companies trick you into taking the wrong bus and then charge you again.

By boat

The RiverLink and Freedom Ferry services [9] provide travel from Philadelphia to neighboring Camden, NJ between April and September. The service provides direct service to Camden's Tweeter Center on the Waterfront, a popular concert venue for the Philadelphia area. Access to the other waterfront attractions, including an aquarium, is also provided by the ferry service.