Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

Car Rentals: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, and National provide service. Remember that some of these agencies require 72 hours notice to schedule special arrangements. To reach downtown, exit PHL airport via signage that leads you to Interstate 95 freeway, north.

Taxis: Diamond and Yellow taxis are plentiful at the ground transportation level. PHL to downtown costs a flat fee of $20. Super Shuttle (800-258-3826) is also available.

PHL-Downtown Rail Connection: In Center City, the SEPTA R1 Train leaves every 30 minutes from Market East Station, Suburban Station, and 30th Street Station to PHL airport.

30th Street Station is a high-ceiling, classic marble palace that features an extensive food court and shops. It hosts 20,000 commuters daily -- a great place to people-watch. Though it is a 24/7 facility, the food court and shops are open from 7a-8p. The station is located a few minutes west of Center City and home to:

Amtrak Acela: DC-Baltimore-Philadelphia-NYC-Providence-Boston
Amtrak Northeast Regional: Newport News-DC-Baltimore-Philadelphia-NYC-Boston
Amtrak Crescent: New Orleans-Atlanta-DC-Baltimore-Philadelphia-NYC-Boston
Amtrak Cardinal: Chicago-Indy-Cincy-DC-Baltimore-Philadelphia-NYC
Amtrak Carolinian: Charlotte-Raleigh-Richmond-DC-Baltimore-Philadelphia-NYC
Amtrak Pennsylvanian: Pittsburgh-Harrisburg-Philadelphia-Newark-NYC
Amtrak Vermonter: St Albans-Montpelier-NYC-Philadelphia-Baltimore-DC
Amtrak Keystone: NYC-Philadelphia-Harrisburg
 
30th Street Station also features regional Pennsylvania and New Jersey trains, buses and Philly's largest Taxi depot.

South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), using 30th Street Station as a base, provides 108 miles of subway and elevated trains, 69 miles of light rail and an extensive commuter rail system.  One of the oldest rail transit systems in America it has grown to a total of 20 lines that canvas more of the metro area than freeways. No wonder its one of the most utilized transit systems in America. A high-speed train stops at the Metro-Market, 30th Street, University City and Eastwick stations. Visit SEPTA’s website to print out a schedule and rail transit map.

New Jersey Transit trains to Camden are frequent and relatively inexpensive. Trains to Atlantic City depart several times daily from 30th Street Station.

PATCO Speedline features daily commuter rail service from South Philly and Market Street in Center City to Camden and Lindenwold, NJ.

Philadelphia Freeway Network has newer segments that are well designed and Schuykill Expressway is a distant memory from its “gory” days. Nevertheless, the freeway system is not extensive for a metro area of this size, has too many sharp curves, and signage often leaves much to be desired. As a result, many drivers unnecessarily take slower boulevards to cover long distances or have difficulty finding entry ramps to freeways. HOV lanes are being added to more freeways and bridge tolls across the Delaware River are reasonable for the distance covered. Also note: narrow streets cause many back-ups to and from freeways and Center City. Freeways and bridges are:

          New Jersey Turnpike
    1    Roosevelt Expressway & Boulevard to points northeast
    3    West Chester Pike
  42    New Jersey freeway connects to I-76 & Atlantic City Turnpike
  63    State Freeway Spur (Woodhaven Road)
  76    Schuykill Expressway, connects to Pennsylvania Turnpike
  90    Betsy Ross Bridge to New Jersey
  95    Interstate Freeway, north/south through Philadelphia
276    Pennsylvania Turnpike
295    North/South Freeway in New Jersey
476    Connects southern I-95 to I-76 freeway and I-276 turnpike
676    Connector freeway between I-95, I-76 & Franklin Bridge