The Ride Stuff
Travel Tips: Getting Around Town
At the time of the American Revolution, Philadelphia was not a very big town by modern standards, and most of the city's principal colonial-era monuments are concentrated near the Delaware waterfront within easy walking distance of each other. Parking in the area tends to be costly, so if you plan to spend most of your time sightseeing downtown, better forgo renting a car and travel instead on foot, by public transportation or by taxi.
SEPTA, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, operates an extensive network of buses, trolleys, subways, and commuter rail lines, including direct rail service from Philadelphia International Airport to the downtown area. Day passes available for $5.50 allow unlimited travel on all bus, trolley and subway lines, as well as a one-way ride on the airport line or almost any other commuter train. The passes are available from numerous vendors around town, or you can order them online from www.buyphilly.com. See www.septa.org for detailed information about routes, schedules, fares and ticket sales outlets.
The Phlash, a special shuttle service designed for tourists, operates daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from May through November. Phlash buses circulate every 12 minutes on a loop from Penn's Landing to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, linking major hotels, shopping areas and visitor attractions. The cost is $1 per ride, $4 for an all-day individual pass, or $10 for an all-day family pass. Children and seniors ride free. See www.gophila.com for details.
Taxis are another good option for short trips, particularly after dark when you might feel uncomfortable at some subway stations and bus and trolley stops. A flat fee of $20 is imposed for taxi rides in either direction between downtown Philadelphia and the airport.
If you do choose to rent or bring a car, bear in mind that most downtown hotels do not provide free parking for guests, so be sure to ask about parking fees when making your reservation.
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