Philadelphia Transportation

Planning a Trip

This section tackles the hows of your trip. The aim here is to help you prepare for your visit, no matter if you're a frequent traveler, a first timer, a new resident, or a lifelong native of Philadelphia.

Standard U.S. rules apply for entry to the city. Pack for the season: Light clothes for summer, layers for spring and fall, and a warm coat or jacket, plus hat, gloves, and muffler for winter. Philadelphians aren't the fashion plates that New Yorkers are, but they do tend to dress up for dinner and nightlife. If you're planning on exploring the city by foot, be sure to bring a pair or two of comfortable shoes.

Another important thing to bring: city smarts. Even Philadelphia's swankiest addresses are mere blocks from insecure neighborhoods. Be aware of your surroundings.

Although pockets of the city are bilingual, you'll find that most people you meet speak English, and don't have great experience interpreting other languages. Native Philadelphians tend to have interesting colloquialisms and accents, including pronouncing "water" as "wooder," greeting one another with "yo," and, in an unfortunate turn of grammar, employing the nonword "you's" as a plural form of "you."

Philadelphia Predeparture Checklist

• Did you book in advance? If you're planning on going to a popular restaurant such as Osteria, Buddakan, or Amada or to a theatrical event at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, you'll need to reserve in advance. Independence Hall (among others in the historic district) has increased security and requires that you book a time slot, and museums such as the Barnes Foundation have limited hours and attendance, so call ahead.
• Did you confirm the hours of operation? Many scheduled tours, festivals, and special events change regularly, so call ahead for opening and closing hours.
• Did you bring your ID cards that could entitle you to discounts (AAA and AARP cards, student IDs, and such)?
• Did you bring emergency drug prescriptions and extra glasses and/or contact lenses?
• Do you have your credit card PINs?
• If you have an e-ticket, do you have documentation?
• Did you leave a copy of your itinerary with someone at home?

Getting There

By Plane

Most flights to and from Philadelphia use Philadelphia International Airport -- airport code PHL -- (tel. 215/937-6937; www.phl.org), at the southwest corner of the city. For up-to-the-minute information on airline arrival and departure times and gate assignments, call tel. 800/PHL-GATE (745-4283).

By air, Philadelphia is 2 1/2 hours from Miami or Chicago, and 6 hours from the West Coast. Some 30 carriers fly from more than 100 cities in the U.S. and 16 destinations abroad. US Airways is the "hub" tenant, and avails itself of four of these terminals. B and C are the main terminals, the end Terminal F serves commuters, and ultramodern Terminal A West (gates A14-A26) services international travelers. Terminal B is the place to catch taxis, buses, and hotel limousines. There is a shopping corridor between terminals B and C, where you can buy gifts such as books, electronic gadgets, and jewelry and even browse at Gap.

Arriving at the Airport -- Immigration & Customs Clearance -- International visitors arriving by air, no matter what the port of entry, should cultivate patience and resignation before setting foot on U.S. soil. U.S. airports have considerably beefed up security clearances in the years since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and clearing Customs and Immigration can take as long as 2 hours.

Getting into Town from the Airport -- Eight miles southwest of Center City, the Philadelphia International Airport is -- best-case scenario -- a 15-minute drive away. Usually, however, drivers can count on a good 30 minutes (more during rush hour) via either of the major thoroughfares, I-95 or I-76.

By Car -- At the airport exit, follow signs to I-95N and I-76. After 4/5 of a mile, take the right fork to I-76W/Valley Forge. This route takes you approximately 1 mile via Penrose Avenue and the George C. Platt Memorial until you arrive at a traffic light (26th St.). Turn left. After less than 1 mile, this road becomes I-76W. Continue on 1-76W for 2 1/2 miles. Center City will be on your right. You may access the city via exits at South Street, Market Street, or 676W for Broad Street, 8th Street (for the Pennsylvania Convention Center), or 6th Street (for Independence Visitor Center, the Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall).

Alternate Route: At the airport exit, follow signs to I-95N. Continue on I-95 for 7 miles. Exit left for 676W. Exits for Broad Street or the Ben Franklin Parkway will appear in less than 1 mile on the right.

By Train -- Trains arrive at Penn Station (30th St.) in West Philadelphia, just on the other side of the Schuylkill River from Center City, and about 15 blocks from City Hall. Take a taxi or SEPTA from the station to your hotel.

Each baggage claim connects to taxi, limousine, and shuttle services. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) provides train service from terminals A to E to Center City (30th St., Suburban, and Market East stations) via the R-1 regional rail line. A one-way ticket costs $7. The train runs every 30 minutes from early morning until late night. For more information, visit www.septa.org.

By Car

It's not surprising that two-thirds of all visitors arrive by car: Philadelphia is some 300 miles (6 hr. or so) from Boston; 100 miles (2 hr.) from New York City; 135 miles (3 hr.) from Washington, D.C.; and 450 miles (9 hr.) from Montreal.

Philadelphia's car rentals are easiest accessed at the airport. Center City and 30th Street Station also have rental offices, but not in such concentration. Shop around online before making a booking: Rates tend to vary considerably among companies. Airlines often partner with these agencies to offer package deals, too. Opting for an economy car will give you the least-expensive rate. You can almost always choose to upgrade your car's class on-site, although you might want to avoid an upgrade if it means having to pay to fuel up a gas-guzzling sport utility vehicle (SUV). One option you might consider: a GPS navigation system, to save yourself the otherwise inevitable hassle of getting lost during your trip. Nearly any car you rent in Philadelphia will be automatic, as opposed to manual shift. A number of agencies currently require that drivers be at least 25 years old. Some accept 21-year-old drivers, and will levy a surcharge for those 21 to 24 years old.

Philadelphia is easily accessible via a series of interstate highways that circle or pass through the city. I-95 (not to be confused with the New Jersey Tpk., which goes by the same name) runs along the city's eastern edge, running north and south. The six-lane I-276 (the original Pennsylvania Tpk.) comes in from the north/northeast, connecting to the New Jersey Turnpike. The oft-congested I-76 (aka the Schuylkill Expwy.) runs east and west, snaking along the Schuylkill River into town, connecting into the heart of Center City via I-676 (aka the Vine St. Expwy.) and reconnecting I-76 to Camden, New Jersey, via the Ben Franklin Bridge over the Delaware. (Confused yet?) Connecting all of the above is I-476, "the Blue Route," which edges along western suburbs, about 15 miles west of town, linking up I-276 and I-76 at its northern end with I-95 to the south.

A few things drivers ought to know about driving in the city of Philadelphia: Most Center City streets are one-way. The large majority are paved with asphalt, but a few -- Dock Street, for example -- remain cobblestone or brick. Pedestrians abound, and always have the right of way. Philadelphia parking laws are no joke: Allow a parking meter to expire or leave your car in a no-parking zone, and you just might find yourself on the next episode of Parking Wars.

By Train

Philadelphia is a major Amtrak stop (tel. 800/USA-RAIL [872-7245]; www.amtrak.com). Amtrak terminal 30th Street Station, 30th and Market streets (tel. 215/349-3196; www.philadelphia.30thstreetstation.com), is on the Boston-Washington, D.C., northeast corridor, which has extensions south to Florida, west to Pittsburgh and Chicago, and east to Atlantic City. This station also connects via SEPTA regional rail and subway (www.septa.com) to Suburban Station (16th St. and J.F.K. Blvd.) and Market East Station (12th and Filbert sts.). Suburban and Market East are located near most Center City hotels, while 30th Street Station is closest to the hotels of University City.

From New York's Penn Station, Philadelphia is a 73- to 96-minute ride away. Regular rail service -- called "Regional" or "Keystone" -- is 7 to 23 minutes longer than Acela Express (73-min.) service, but the price is often worth the extra minutes. Fares for the Regional and Keystone trains run from $64 to $87 weekdays; Acela trains cost from $114 to $143. (Amtrak does not offer discounts for booking round-trip travel.) Washington, D.C., is 1 1/2 to 2 hours away (fares run $44-$146). The ride to/from Boston is 5 to 7 hours ($80-$206); from Chicago, it's about an 18-hour ride, with fares from $83 to $106. Rates are as of press time.

A Cool New Bus

Philadelphians are always looking for the cheapest, fastest way to get to New York City. Their most recent favorite means: The Bolt Bus, a clean, nearly sleek coach that operates by online reservations only, guarantees a seat for each reservation, charges $10 per person, offers wireless Internet during the trip, and arrives near Penn station in 2 hours. For more information visit www.boltbus.com.