Philadelphia: Getting Around

SEPTA (215/580-7800)
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority operates trains, streetcars, buses and subways throughout the greater metropolitan area.

Suburban Station and Market East Station are located in the heart of Center City. 30th Street Station provides quick connections with Amtrak (215/824-1600). University City Station provides service to the University of Pennsylvania area. All four stations provide connections to the Airport Rail Line to Philadelphia International Airport.

Fare on most bus and streetcar routes is $1.60 (exact change is required). Discounted tokens and passes are available at SEPTA sales offices and at commercial sales outlets.

SEPTA’s DayPass provides a day’s unlimited riding on all city transit, plus one-way passage on any regional rail line, all for $5. The DayPass can be purchased at the Visitors Center (16th St. and JFK Blvd.). Listed below are some of SEPTA’s more popular tourist routes.

PHLASH (215/4-PHLASH)
There’s a new way to get around town that is easy and economical. It’s Philadelphia’s own PHLASH. Just hop on at any convenient stop and the purple bus with the aqua wings will take you along its downtown loop, stopping at many of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, transportation stations, hotels, shopping centers and entertainment facilities. It also provides easy access to the waterfront, City Hall, South Street and the Pennsylvania Convention Center. PHLASH is not a guided tour bus, but drivers do provide information. PHLASH runs daily, every 10 to 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to midnight, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend; until 6 p.m. the rest of the year. The fare is $2 one-way or $4 for an all-day pass (passes may be purchased on the bus).