Best Ways to Get Around the Streets of Philadelphia

 

Planning a first-time trip to Philadelphia? Getting around town is easy with so many options available. Philadelphia is home to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. There are so many wonderful places to visit in the city.

If you arrive for a day trip or have a few hours to kill during a layover, there are plenty of things to do to occupy your time.

When it comes to navigating around town, there are several modes of transportation available, including the subway, buses, and taxis, among other things. Knowing how to get around the streets of Philadelphia can be the difference between an enjoyable trip and a frustrating one. 

Popular Transportation Options

The city's public transportation system is extensive, with multiple modes of travel that include buses, trolleys, and subways. The city also has a comprehensive network of bike lanes and trails, making it easy for cyclists to get around town. 

For those who prefer to drive themselves, parking in Philly is relatively affordable and easy to find.

Subway and Bus System

The SEPTA system has been around for over 150 years and is a great way to get around the city. The subway trains are all underground, so they are not affected by weather issues. The subway stations are also numbered, so you can easily find your destination. 

A ticket costs $2.50 and can be purchased at the Broad Street subway station as well as in some Rite Aids downtown. In addition to the Broad Street line that runs north to south, there is also the Market-Frankford line, which runs east to west. You can 

Bus service is available throughout the city as well. In addition to buses, there are trolleys that run along certain routes during peak times on weekdays. There are also bus stops throughout the city where you can catch a taxi cab or Uber ride if you don't want to walk or wait for the next bus or train. Bus fare costs $2 or $5 for an all-day pass.

Taxi Service

Taxi service is another option for getting around the streets of Philadelphia. There are taxi stands located throughout the city and taxis can usually be found at major hotels and attractions, like Independence Hall, Penn's Landing, and Franklin Square Park.

 If you need a ride outside of these areas, it's best to call ahead so that your taxi doesn't have too far to travel before picking you up from your desired location.

Rail Service

The city's rail system includes two train lines that run through Philadelphia: Amtrak's Northeast Corridor and SEPTA Regional Rail. Both lines stop at 30th Street Station, which is located on Market Street between 30th and 32nd streets.

Uber or Lyft

If you're not familiar with Uber or Lyft, they are mobile apps that allow you to request a driver through your phone so you don't have to wait outside for a taxi cab. Download the app, enter your location and destination, and request a ride.,

Car Rental

Another option is renting a car through Zipcar or Enterprise Rent-A-Car; both companies have offices near 30th Street Station where you can pick up your vehicle.

Bike Share

Another great option for getting around Philadelphia by bike is through a bike-share program. There are several different companies that offer these programs, including Indego (Philadelphia's own) and Spin (a dockless system).

Each program has its own rules and regulations, but they all work basically the same way: you check out a bike from one location and then return it to another location later on (usually within 30 minutes). 

Most systems require you to use an app or key fob to unlock the bike when you're ready to ride it and lock it back up when you're done.

The Subway, buses, trolleys, and trains all stop at the 30th Street Station. If you have already checked out of your hotel or Airbnb, you can use luggage storage at 30th Street Station. 

You can take a walking tour of the city or hop on a bus, without having to lug your belongings around with you. Vertoe offers 1000+ secure luggage storage locations in 65+ major cities.