Travel to Philadelphia

Getting Here

By Plane

Philadelphia International Airport is located just minutes from Center City Philadelphia. Thirty airlines provide service to and from more than 120 cities around the world. The airport also contains over 100 shops and restaurants to occupy your time while waiting for your flight.Upon arrival, taxi service is available to Center City Philadelphia for a flat rate of $25 per trip. The SEPTA R1 High Speed Rail Line will also take you from the airport to several stops in Center City Philadelphia for a fee of $5.50 per person. The SEPTA R1 also allows you to connect with all other regional rail lines (for an additional $1.50 charge). If you wish to rent a car, a number of car-rental agencies are also located on-site.

Interactive Airport Map
Ground Transportation Information
Rental Car Information
SEPTA R1 Schedule (PDF)

By Train

Located in University City, 30th Street Station offers Amtrak train service to and from many U.S. destinations. It offers connections to SEPTA regional transportation and New Jersey Transit. The Station also has a number of shops and eateries.

By Car

A number of major U.S. roads pass through Philadelphia, including I-76, I-95, I-276, I-476, and US-1. Thus, nomatter where you are coming from, driving to Philadelphia should not be difficult. For information on traffic conditions, check out the links below or dial 215-567-5678 for SmarTraveler Road Conditions.

Driving Directions to Philadelphia from Google Maps
Philadelphia Traffic Reports

Getting Around

Walk

Center City Philadelphia is very easy to get around on foot. It is divided into five districts – Old City, Washington Square, Rittenhouse Square, the Parkway Museums District, and the Convention Center District. Colorful “Walk! Philadelphia” signs and maps are located at every major intersection directing you to popular destinations.

Map of Center City Philadelphia

Ride

Philadelphia boasts of an extremely thorough public transportation system including buses, trains, trolleys, and subways. The Southeast Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) runs the system. An all-day pass for all SEPTA buses, trolleys, and subways costs $5.50.

Also available is the Phlash Tourist Loop. For $1 per trip, the Phlash travels to twenty tourist destinations around the City, with a bus stopping at each location approximately every 12 minutes. An all-day pass costs $4, and an all-day family pass for four people costs $10.

Another transportation alternative is a guided tour. The Big Bus Company provides transportation in a London-style double-decker bus along with a ninety-minute narrated tour of the City. Tickets $27 for adults, $25 for seniors, and $10 for children. A ticket includes on-and-off service on any Big Bus for twenty-four hours from the time of first boarding. For a similar price you can also choose to tour Philadelphia with the Philadelphia Trolley Works.

Drive

Philadelphia is so easy to travel on foot or through public transit, that it is perfectly viable (and even recommended) to leave your car behind for your entire stay. If you do decide to drive to your destinations, however, the Philadelphia Parking Authority, which runs most of the public parking lots in Philadelphia, has an excellent website where you can search for parking lots near your location. Contact your destination or visit their website for driving directions.

PhillyCarShare (Car-Sharing Service)