Philadelphia

Getting There

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Tel: (215) 937 6937 or 1 800 745 4283 for 24-hour flight information.

The airport is 11km (7 miles) southwest of the city centre. Its seven terminals handle non-stop services to Europe, Canada and the Caribbean, as well as more than 100 US cities.

Getting Around 

Public Transport

Philadelphia is easy to navigate, thanks to Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority – SEPTA (tel: (215) 580 7800), who operate interconnecting buses, streetcars, subway and commuter trains. Operating hours for these services vary and some bus routes operate all night. Tickets are available for purchase from ticket offices and machines at the station or upon boarding (exact change required). Token discount packs are also available. All SEPTA’s buses are lift-equipped for wheelchair access.

SEPTA’s day pass is good for a full day of unlimited travel on all modes of transport, plus a one-way trip on the Airport Rail Line (R1). It is sold at the visitor centre at 16th Street and JFK Boulevard. Weekly and monthly passes are also available.

The purple Phlash (tel: (215) 599 0776) shuttle bus runs a continuous loop around the city centre to the major attractions, from the Art Museum to Penn’s Landing. Buses stop every 12 minutes, at the special Phlash lampposts and services operate daily from May through November.

The Freedom Ferry (tel: (215) 925 LINK (5465)) provides a ferry service between Penn’s Landing, Walnut Street and Columbus Boulevard in Philadelphia, and the New Jersey State Aquarium, Federal Street and Riverside Drive in Camden, during the summer (Check for dates). Crossings take 12 minutes and leave every 40 minutes, daily. Tickets are available at dockside terminals.

Taxis

Taxis are easily hailed in the street throughout Center City. Taxi companies offering a telephone service include City Cab Co (tel: (215) 492 6500), Liberty Cab Co (tel: (215) 389 8000) and Quaker City Cab (tel: (215) 728 8000). A tip of 15% is generally expected.

Driving in the City

With such a compact city centre and good public transport, a car is not necessary in central Philadelphia, although it is useful for excursions to outlying areas. Nevertheless, driving is pleasurable, as navigating is easy – streets are laid out on a grid system. Numbered streets run north-south and named streets run east-west. The main thoroughfares are Broad Street and Market Street – at their intersection is City Hall. As in any large city, the downtown area can sometimes become clogged with traffic, especially during rush hours (0700-0930 and 1530-1830).

There are many parking lots and garages located around the city centre. On-street parking is also available in Center City but visitors should look at the posted signs for restrictions on when parking is allowed.

Car Hire

The minimum rental age is generally 25 years but some companies will rent cars to drivers aged between 21 and 24 years for a steep premium. Those wishing to hire a car must be in possession of a full national driving licence. Liability insurance is costly but necessary. It is a good idea to check with your insurance company or your credit card to see if they cover rental car liability.