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Moving around Philadelphia is a breeze thanks to the city’s transportation options.
Whether getting your steps in on foot, hopping on a SEPTA bus, riding the Broad Street Line or tooling around in your own car, navigating the City of Brotherly Love is easy and enjoyable.
Here’s how to navigate Philly’s historic sites, vibrant neighborhoods and top attractions by foot, bike, bus, train, rideshare or even helicopter.
Philadelphia is one of the best cities for walking in the country.
Don’t take our word for it: Philly was voted the most walkable city for visitors in the U.S. three years in a row in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
It’s no wonder why: a simple-to-master layout and neighborhood streets filled with fun and diverse shops, restaurants, museums, parks and people.
— Photo by S. Ramones for Visit Philadelphia
The compact downtown district — known as Center City — boasts an easy-to-follow street grid design. The area spans just 25 blocks between two rivers: the Schuylkill and the Delaware. In between, streets running north and south are numbered, and some streets going east and west have leafy-tree names like Walnut, Spruce, Locust and Pine.
Philly was voted the most walkable city in America in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
Founder William Penn’s street plan is highlighted by his five original public squares, now known as Franklin, Washington, Rittenhouse, Logan and Centre Square in the middle, which is now the site of Philadelphia City Hall and Dilworth Park. The squares are conveniently spread out across Center City, serving as perfect rest stops during a long day out.
Along the edges of Center City, the two rivers are each lined by gorgeous walking trails. On the west end is the expansive Schuylkill River Trail, which includes the grassy Schuylkill Banks riverwalk and its 2,000-foot boardwalk that runs over the water. Along the east edge is the activity-friendly Delaware River Trail, with the sister Cherry Street and Race Street piers, seasonal Spruce Street Harbor Park, and more.
Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk — Photo by Elevated Angles for Visit Philadelphia
Helping you get around, especially while avoiding intersections and inclement weather, is the convenient underground Center City Pedestrian Concourse. The 500,000-square-foot space offers subterranean walkways spanning from John F. Kennedy Boulevard to Locust Street and from 8th Street to 17th Street. Reach sites like City Hall, the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the Fashion District and the Comcast Center from entry points at many transit stations, retail spaces and office building lobbies.
Colorful Walk! Philadelphia directional signs can be found throughout the downtown area to help visitors navigate the city on foot even more easily. Center City District (the organization responsible for the award-winning signage) also populates the streets with uniformed Community Service Representatives (CSRs) who act as strolling concierges and goodwill ambassadors. CSRs can answer questions, give directions, administer first aid and stay in radio contact with Philadelphia Police to promote public safety.
While Center City is wonderful, don’t forget to check out some of Philly’s numerous other walkable neighborhoods like Chestnut Hill, Manayunk, Fishtown and University City, all conveniently reachable by public transit (see the SEPTA section below).
You don’t have to walk to get around Philly easily with your feet.
Philadelphia is also one of the most bicycle-friendly big cities in the country, with dedicated bike lanes on city streets, hundreds of miles of trails and a growing number of bicycle commuters.
Bicyclist on the Delaware River Trail — Photo by Visit Philadelphia
The numbers speak for themselves:
One of the biggest reasons Philly is so bicycle-friendly is thanks to the citywide Indego bike-sharing service, which offers streetside rentals starting at just $4.50 per half hour ride (with daily and monthly passes available for a cheaper hourly rate).
The program offers over 250 dock-and-lock stations located throughout the city, stretching from the Delaware River waterfront to West Philadelphia and University City, and from Manayunk in Northwest Philadelphia and Temple University’s North Broad Street campus to South Philadelphia’s Navy Yard.
— Photo courtesy Indego
Cyclists can walk up to any Indego station and check out bikes for trips around the city 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Using the touchscreen kiosk or mobile app, the durable blue bicycles are released from their docks when payment is made. This quick and convenient system then allows bikers to return rentals to any nearby station after their ride is complete.
Indego is an initiative of the City of Philadelphia and sponsored by Independence Blue Cross. Riders are encouraged to follow the rules of the road and to always wear a helmet.
One of the most convenient and inexpensive ways to see some of the city’s top attractions is aboard the colorful Philadelphia PHLASH.
Rides on the easily identifiable purple buses are just $2 for a single ride or $5 for an all-day pass, with free rides for children under 4, seniors and SEPTA Pass and Key cardholders.
— Photo by Visit Philadelphia
The PHLASH service follows a loop from Penn’s Landing to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, with over a dozen other visitor-friendly stops along the route near locations like Independence National Historical Park, The Franklin Institute and LOVE Park and seasonal stops including the Philadelphia Zoo and Please Touch Museum.
The PHLASH runs seasonally, with daily service Aprukl through September and weekend service through December. All buses are temperature-controlled and wheelchair accessible and arrive at stops every 15 minutes.
Philadelphia’s vast and diverse transit system is also a convenient (and inexpensive) way to get around town.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority — better known as SEPTA — is one of the most comprehensive local transit systems in the United States, an expansive public transportation network that can get you almost anywhere you need to go (or at least very close) in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.
SEPTA offers commuter trains, subways, elevated trains, buses, trolleys, light rail and paratransit services that are both accessible for riders with disabilities and bicycle-friendly.
— Image courtesy SEPTA
Broad Street Line
The underground Broad Street Line (B-Line) runs north/south between Fern Rock Transportation Center in North Philly and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park in South Philly (with the Spur line stopping near the Historic District).
Hop aboard to catch a game or concert at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, travel between hotels and attractions along Center City’s Avenue of the Arts, visit the historic Independence Hall and Liberty Bell, or check out college sports and other events at the Liacouras Center in the burgeoning North Philadelphia neighborhood surrounding Temple University.
City Hall Station — Photo by E. Frizzelle for Visit Philadelphia
Market-Frankford Line
The Market-Frankford Line (L-Line) primarily travels west/east (with a northern tilt at the east end) along a route that is half underground and half elevated, hence the train’s colloquial name “The El.” It runs from 69th Street Transportation Center in Upper Darby through Center City and to the Frankford neighborhood in Northeast Philly.
The El is great for quickly traveling between Fishtown and Northern Liberties, Old City, Penn’s Landing, the Historic District, Market East, Pennsylvania Convention Center, City Hall, Rittenhouse Square, University City and many other locations.
Regional Rail
Local commuter train service is provided by SEPTA through 14 distinct lines in its extensive Regional Rail network, reaching over 150 stations as far north as Doylestown and as far south as Newark, Delaware.
The system spans the region with lines connecting to popular destinations like East Falls, Chestnut Hill, Manayunk, Mt. Airy, University of Pennsylvania and Penn Medicine, Suburban Square, Villanova, Swarthmore, Bala Cynwyd, Hatboro and Downingtown, all stopping through Center City’s three stations (William H. Gray III 30th Street Station, Suburban Station and Jefferson Station).
SEPTA Regional Rail Airport Line — Photo courtesy Philadelphia International Airport
SEPTA’s Airport Line runs between Center City and the Philadelphia International Airport. Also, the system’s Trenton Line connects directly to the Trenton Transit Center where New Jersey Transit service is available to and from New York.
Separate but related to the Regional Rail network, the Norristown High Speed Line (M-Line) extends public transit’s reach from 69th Street to Norristown, Montgomery County.
SEPTA Local Bus Routes
SEPTA’s extensive local bus network serves nearly every neighborhood and scores of destinations throughout the five-county region, operating over 1,000 buses along 115 routes covering over 1,200 miles of road.
The system’s routes (nearly all utilizing traditional or accordion-style buses with a few trackless trolleys) are designed to connect at nearby intersections as well as with terminals, loops and transportation centers where riders can continue their journeys.
For late-night riders, the L1 OWL bus provides service from midnight to the early morning and runs from Northeast to West Philadelphia.
SEPTA Trolley Lines
Providing additional service are SEPTA’s tracked trolleys operating on the Subway-Surface Trolley Lines (T-Route), which serve route 10, 11, 13, 34 and 36’s street-level tracks in West and North Philadelphia and underground through the Center City subway tunnel.
The Route 15 Girard Avenue Line (G-Route) runs restored 1947 cream-and-green trolley streetcars from Port Richmond through Fishtown to West Philadelphia.
— Photo by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
More trolleys serve the surrounding counties on the Route 101 and 102 Media-Sharon Hill Line (D-Route) between 69th Street Transportation Center at Upper Darby and the two eponymous Delaware County terminals.
SEPTA Fares & How To Pay
SEPTA Key
The SEPTA Key fare program replaces traditional tokens, passes and paper transfers with plastic payment cards, serving as a convenient and easy way to get around the city.
SEPTA Key Cards use RFID chip technology, allowing riders to pay by simply passing them over the turnstile validator. The stored value or “travel wallet” cards can be loaded and reloaded with the fare that best meets riders’ travel needs in a variety of ways, including via the SEPTA Key app and website as well as at station kiosks. The card can even be used for discounts at participating local businesses and events.
SEPTA Key Cards can be purchased at SEPTA transit stores, sales offices, ticket offices and fare kiosks, plus at nearly 500 participating retail locations, for $4.95 each (which is refunded when the card is registered on the SEPTA Key website).
SEPTA Key — Photo courtesy SEPTA
Contactless Payments
SEPTA also now accepts contactless payment for one-time single rides on any subway, bus, trolley or Regional Rail line.
Simply tap your RFID chip-enabled credit or debit card or your phone, opened to your preferred mobile payment platform like Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, Venmo, CashApp or PayPal.
SEPTA Standard Fares
Bus, trolley and subway fares are $2.90 per trip when using a SEPTA Key Card, with contactless payment via credit card or phone tap or cash (exact change is required). Key and contactless fares also include two free two-hour transfers between bus and subway lines.
Regional Rail per-ride fares vary based on which “fare zones” you are traveling from and to. SEPTA Key, contactless payment users and travelers purchasing tickets at a kiosk will pay between $5 and $11. Expect between $7 and $13 when paying on board a train.
Riders 12 and under (with fare-paying adult) or 65 and over (with a valid Senior Fare card) ride free. Travelers with disabilities ride for half price upon registration for a Reduced Fare card.
One Day FleX Passes
Explore the Philadelphia region without paying for each individual trip with the One Day Anywhere FleX Pass (which replaces the former Independence Pass).
The $16.25 pass offers up to 10 rides on SEPTA buses, trolleys, subways and Regional Rail trains loaded directly onto a SEPTA Key Card. Save with a three-day bundle for $43.75.
Or grab a One Day Neighborhood FleX Pass, which allows a maximum of 10 rides on any SEPTA bus, subway, trolley or Regional Rail train up to any Zone 2 station for just $12.50, also loaded right onto your SEPTA Key card. The neighborhood three-day bundle is available for $33.75.
New SEPTA Metro Wayfinding System
SEPTA is in the process of transitioning to simpler single-letter subway, elevated train and trolley route names (with respective route color schemes) for easier wayfinding, such as the blue “L-Line” for the Market-Frankford train and the green “T-Line” used for subway-surface trolleys.
This is part of an overall change in branding to “SEPTA Metro” to describe the system’s non-Regional Rail routes.
Both current and transitional names are used in the information above.
Complementing service from SEPTA, PATCO (Port Authority Transit Corporation) operates the underground PATCO Speedline bi-state rapid transit train, with stations in Center City Philadelphia connecting to nine in Camden County, New Jersey.
Easily transfer to and from PATCO via SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line from the 8th and Market Street stop or the Broad Street Line from the 12–13th and Locust Street station (additional fare required).
PATCO is a great way to reach Adventure Aquarium on the Camden waterfront. Exit the PATCO at Camden City Hall and either walk west for a half-mile or hop aboard a convenient New Jersey Transit bus at the Market and North 4th Street stop.
And on your way across the Delaware River, enjoy the spectacular views from 135 feet up as the PATCO train climbs above ground to transverse the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
With New Jersey just across the Delaware River, it’s natural that its state-owned New Jersey Transit public transportation system offers connections between Philadelphia and the Jersey suburbs.
Buses operated by New Jersey Transit offer several local routes to and from Philadelphia and South Jersey. The service connects a number of stops in Center City — along Market, Broad and Vine streets — round trip to over 20 New Jersey destinations, including Camden, several Jersey shore points and regional shopping centers like Cherry Hill Mall.
New Jersey Transit also runs the light rail River Line along the Delaware River coast. This connects Camden and other points to the Trenton Transit Center for a direct link to SEPTA Regional Rail’s Trenton Line for trips between Center City and South Jersey.
In addition to its Northeast Corridor intercity routes, Amtrak also operates two superregional routes that pass through William H. Gray III 30th Street Station.
The Pennsylvanian line runs between New York City and Pittsburgh via Philly, and the Keystone Service train serves locations between New York City and Harrisburg.
— Photo courtesy Amtrak
For local service options, The Keystone line makes station stops in Chester County at Paoli, Exton and Downingtown, with the Pennsylvanian serving Paoli and Exton, both connected to 30th Street Station in West Philly.
Like the surrounding areas of many cities, Philadelphia’s countryside offers other smaller regional transportation options for getting around to augment citywide services.
Among these are Chester County’s TMACC ChescoBus — which serves western suburb communities like West Chester, Oxford, Coatesville and Parkesburg — and Montgomery County’s Pottstown Area Rapid Transit, offering stops including Philadelphia Premium Outlets, Coventry Mall, Douglass Town Center, Pottstown Center and several other local stops and shopping centers.
Rideshares from Uber or Lyft are a convenient and easy way to navigate Philadelphia. Just open up the Uber or Lyft app (create an account, if needed), choose a pickup spot, and hail a ride using your phone to go anywhere you wish to start exploring the city.
— Photo courtesy Lyft
Professional medallioned taxicabs are easiest to find at transportation hubs like the Philadelphia International Airport and William H. Gray III 30th Street Station.
But, of course, cabs can be hailed from almost anywhere in the area by phone, through an app or by using the traditional streetcorner wave on most busy city streets. Accessible taxi services are also available from most providers.
Philly taxis have a standard meter price of $2.70 upon entry (plus $3 per mile) to locations in the designated metro area. A flat rate of $32 is charged for travel between the Philadelphia International Airport and Center City.
If you’re renting a personal vehicle during your stay, we have you covered. Many major car rental companies have outlets at Philadelphia International Airport and William H. Gray III 30th Street Station as well as some locations in Center City.
— Photo by D. Nicole for Visit Philadelphia
For shorter-term use from a few minutes to a full day, car share services like Enterprise and Zipcar are another option. These services often cover everything from insurance to maintenance to parking (and even gas).
For those seeking a luxe experience, there are several dependable limousine services in the region offering every style of vehicle, from private sedans and SUVs to luxury vans and window-tinted stretch rides.
There are numerous limo services available across the city for business, personal and special occasion rides. Among these are Philly Limo Rentals, specializing in rides like Hummers and Escalades; corporate stretches and sedans at Philadelphia Limo Services; airport trip specialists Ace Limousine; and companies based in the suburbs like Advanced Limousine in Bucks County and Chester County’s Dynasty Limousine Service.
Whether you’ve rented a car, grabbed a car share or brought your personal vehicle into the city, Philly’s grid and highway system is easy to navigate.
Philadelphia is served by numerous interstates and highways, such as the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276, tolled) north of the city, I-476 (Blue Route) in the western suburbs, I-95 east along the Delaware River, I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) into Center City from the northwest, US Route 1 (Roosevelt Expressway) in Northeast Philly, US Route 30 in West Philly and the New Jersey Turnpike (tolled).
The city is accessible to and from New Jersey across a number of bridges, including the Burlington–Bristol, Tacony–Palmyra, Betsy Ross, Benjamin Franklin, Walt Whitman and Commodore Barry. Bridges are free from Philadelphia into New Jersey and tolled in the return direction.
Benjamin Franklin Bridge — Photo by Elevated Angles for Visit Philadelphia
Surface streets are generally organized in a grid system between the two riverways. Delaware Avenue/Christopher Columbus Boulevard runs along the Delaware River. From there, streets running north to south are numbered starting with Front Street (the first street). Philadelphia’s arterial Broad Street, one of the longest urban boulevards in the nation and spanning the full spine of the city, replaces what would be 14th Street.
Center City’s southern border is appropriately named South Street, with Spring Garden Street at the north. In between, the most prominent streets running east and west include Vine, Arch, John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Market, Chestnut, Walnut, Locust and Lombard. The famed Benjamin Franklin Parkway runs diagonally from City Hall to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Benjamin Franklin Parkway — Photo by Elevated Angles for Visit Philadelphia
In a city as old as Philadelphia, drivers need to keep a lookout for streets through the Old City and Society Hill neighborhoods as well as parts of Germantown Avenue in North Philadelphia that are still paved with cobblestones.
Parking
When parking your personal vehicle or rental, the city offers several options.
Philadelphia has thousands of metered and non-metered timed spaces throughout the city, with rates and time limits that vary depending on location.
Many neighborhoods have replaced solely coin-operated meters with pay-by-plate curbside kiosks that take credit cards, debit cards and contactless mobile payments (in addition to coins).
Or skip the kiosk altogether and use the meterUP app to pay for parking right from your phone.
meterUP App — Photo courtesy Philadelphia Parking Authority
Be sure to follow any signed restrictions or instructions where you choose to park. The posted meter, meterUP and regulation signs can help you figure out where to park and when. Red signs tell you when you can’t park, while green signs indicate when you can and for how long.
And even though you might see cars (particularly in South Philadelphia) parked in the middle of streets in the median, this is not legal parking (but it is a way of life for people who live in a parking spot-challenged neighborhood).
To locate a Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) parking lot or garage near your destination, click this link and type in a specific address or choose from a list of popular locations near Center City. To find other lots spread throughout the city, check out Parking.com.
— Photo courtesy Philadelphia Parking Authority
For more information about parking, visit our Parking in Philadelphia page or the PPA’s website.
If your personal vehicle or rental is an electric car, Philadelphia has plenty of charge-while-parked options and hundreds of charging stations.
Find available stations using locator maps from EVgo, ChargePoint, Tesla and PlugShare.
You’re on a boat! For a fun way to cross the Delaware River (much easier than George Washington’s journey), take an excursion on the RiverLink Ferry, which connects Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia to the Camden, NJ, waterfront.
— Photo courtesy Riverlink Ferry
Attractions near the ferry docks on either side of the river include Spruce Street Harbor Park and the Independence Seaport Museum on the Philly side and Adventure Aquarium, Battleship New Jersey and Freedom Mortgage Pavilion across the watery state line.
Service on the 600-passenger Freedom ferry is seasonal.
Philadelphia proudly offers all visitors the ability to explore the city with a sense of independence. Travelers of all abilities can be confident that they have choices while traversing the City of Brotherly Love.
All SEPTA buses are accessible and the authority serves over 100 accessible boarding stations. Additionally, SEPTA offers ADA Paratransit Service. The Philly PHLASH is also wheelchair accessible.
Curb cuts help make stroller and wheelchair accessibility simple throughout the city.
Philadelphia allows 60 free additional minutes of parking for vehicles displaying disability placards or license plates and unlimited free parking for vehicles identifiable as having wheelchair lifts or ramps.
Visit Philadelphia’s accessible Philadelphia guide connects visitors to resources that help them navigate hotels, historic sites, museums, transportation and more.
For more information on accessibility (including parking), visit the Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities page. Other accessible travel info can be found at WheelchairTravel, SEPTA Access and accessibleGO.
Board an open-top double-decker coach from Big Bus Tours for a ride to Philadelphia’s most popular attractions. Hop on or hop off anywhere along the route (within your valid ticket time) at one of over 25 stops. Or just sit back and enjoy the beauty of the open-air city during the 90-minute ride.
— Photo by B. Krist for Visit Philadelphia
Hop-on-hop-off City Sightseeing Philadelphia has been offering expert-guided-commentary bus tours for over a quarter-century. The 16-mile bus route offers 28 stops that cover the entire route in 90 minutes. Guests must check in and start in front of the Bourse Building near Independence Hall, but can board and disembark anywhere on the route (within the valid ticket time duration). The company offers one-, two- and three-day consecutive ticket options, and buses feature plug-in headphone audio in nine languages.
When you want to get where you’re going in style (and you’re not acrophobic), step aboard a helicopter charter transport from Sky River Charters for point-to-point service between airports, resorts and designated landing pads (including at the American Helicopter Museum & Education Center) within the region. Sky River has hangars at the Northeast Philadelphia, Doylestown and Morristown airports.
The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.
Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and priceless peace of mind.
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