Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is a Top 10 airport in America for traffic and flights to all major cities in America. 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.

SEPTA Airport Station

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.

30th Street Station is a  Neo-Classical high-ceiling marble palace that features Pennsylvania and New Jersey Commuter Rail Transit, Heavy Rail Transit (subways), Light Rail Transit, buses and Philly's largest taxi depot. Hosting 20,000 commuters daily, its a great place to people-watch in the food court and shops from 7a-8p, but trains arrive 24/7. Located a few minutes west of Center City, this intermodal transportation center is also home to these Amtrak trains:

Acela: DC-Baltimore-Philadelphia-NYC-Providence-Boston
Northeast Regional: Newport News-DC-Baltimore-Philadelphia-NYC-Boston
Crescent: New Orleans-Atlanta-DC-Baltimore-Philadelphia-NYC-Boston
Cardinal: Chicago-Indy-Cincy-DC-Baltimore-Philadelphia-NYC
Carolinian: Charlotte-Raleigh-Richmond-DC-Baltimore-Philadelphia-NYC
Pennsylvanian: Pittsburgh-Harrisburg-Philadelphia-Newark-NYC
Vermonter: St Albans-Montpelier-NYC-Philadelphia-Baltimore-DC
Keystone: NYC-Philadelphia-Harrisburg
 

30th Street Station Philadelphia

Acela trains zoom between Boston, New Haven, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington at speeds that range from 90-150 mph top speed and trains that depart every 20-30 minutes.

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. SEPTA’s website eatures printable 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