Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Philadelphia City Center

Welcome Pickups

Your friend on the ground

March 23, 2022

Philadelphia (or Philly) is among the largest cities in the United States, carrying important history and a revolutionary attitude. If you’re visiting Philadelphia, you will have plenty to see and do. Philly is known for the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Rocky statue, the Mummers, and of course its cheesesteaks!

There are three ways to make your transfer from Philadelphia airport to downtown; taxi, train, or bus. Taking a Philly taxi is the quickest option to reach Philadelphia city. It takes only 15 minutes at the cost of $28.50 (€26). The train is also a quick and cheap option as it takes 24 minutes to reach downtown and comes at the cost of $7 (€6.50). Your final option is to take bus 37 which takes 40 minutes to reach Philly and costs $3 (€2.70).

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Philadelphia at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

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Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€27	15min	24/7
Train	€13	25min	04:52–00:30
Bus	€5.40	40min	24/7

How to get from Philadelphia airport to downtown by taxi

One of the fastest and most convenient ways to get from Philadelphia airport to downtown Philly is by taking an airport taxi or private transfer. They are available 24/7 and have lots of different-sized vehicles to accommodate different groups and needs.

Taxi fare from Philadelphia airport to city center

Philly cabs have a set rate from Philadelphia airport to downtown Philly which comes at the cost of $28.50 (€26) one-way. This price is for one passenger and there is a surcharge of $1.00 (€0.90) for every extra passenger. Prices don’t change during the night but bear in mind that the final cost will depend on your exact destination and number of passengers.

Cost

$28.50 (€26)

Trip Duration

15min

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Available 24/7

Where do I get it from?

Philadelphia airport taxis are readily available and can be accessed at Zone 5 on the S. Commercial Roadway.
If you are an international passenger arriving from Terminal A-West, just take the elevator to the Ground Floor and follow the signs to get to Arrivals Road. Philadelphia airport taxis are available right there.

Convenience

Taking an airport taxi is an extremely convenient and comfortable way of transportation from Philadelphia airport to downtown. There’s no need to wait in the cold at a train or bus station, as your driver will take you directly to the door of your hotel.

Editor’s Note

Although taking a taxi is highly convenient and safe, if you're a single traveller or have light luggage, taking the train from Philadelphia airport to the city centre takes a bit longer but does cost much less.

Useful Tips

It’s not compulsory to tip your Philly taxi driver. However, if you receive excellent service, you can tip your driver 15% or 20% of your trip's cost.

In Philadelphia, the US dollar is the only accepted currency and it's unlikely that you will be able to use other currencies, even at the airport. The easiest way to get dollars is through an ATM.

You will not be charged extra for your luggage but there is an additional $1.00 (€0.90) surcharge for every extra passenger after the first.

How to get from Philadelphia airport to city center by train

Choosing the train as your mode of transportation from Philadelphia airport to downtown is a fast and cheap option too. You can reach Philly in 25 minutes and tickets cost $7 (€6.50).

How much is the train from Philadelphia airport to the city center?

A one-way ticket from Philadelphia airport to downtown costs $7 (€6.50). You can purchase your tickets at the kiosks located at each terminal platform. You can also buy your ticket on board at the price of $8 (€7.20) and it’s cash only. At the kiosks, you can pay either by card or cash.

Cost

$7 (€6.50)

Trip Duration

25min

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Available between 04:52-00:30.

Where do I get it from?

Since Philadelphia airport is one of the largest in the U.S, for your convenience there are five available train stations at different terminals. The stations are near the arrivals exits and are easily accessible. The terminals are Terminal A (East), B, C, D, E, and F. There is a train every 30 minutes and they run from 04:52 to 00:30.

Convenience

The Philadelphia airport trains (SEPTA) are fast, clean, provide free wifi to surf during your trip, and offer very affordable tickets. These make the train option from Philadelphia airport to downtown Philly convenient, safe, and cost-effective. Taking the train is one of the best ways to get from Philadelphia airport to the city centre. However, if you’re travelling in a large group or have a lot of luggage, you may want to consider taking a taxi for your comfort.

Timetables

Rail Schedules

Editor’s Note

If you’re travelling in a group, it might be more cost-effective for you to share a taxi and split the fare, whilst ensuring door-to-door service and all the added comforts.

Useful Tips

SEPTA rails run seven days a week and pass every 30 minutes.

You can pre-book your tickets through the train app and secure your seat.

There is only one stop between the trip from the Philadelphia airport to downtown and it's always announced.

How to get from Philadelphia airport to the city center by bus

There are two bus routes from Philadelphia airport to downtown Philly. Route 108 goes from the airport to 69th Street Transportation Center, and route 115 goes from the airport to Delaware County Community College.

Choosing the bus for your transportation from Philadelphia airport to downtown is certainly the cheapest option available but it’s also the slowest one as it takes 40 minutes to reach the city.

How much is the bus from Philadelphia airport to the city center

A one-way ticket for bus routes 108 and 115 cost $3 (€2.70). You can purchase this from the bus stations at the airport paying either by card or cash.

Cost

$3 (€2.70)

Trip Duration

40min

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

24/7

Where do I get it from?

Buses are easily accessible at Philadelphia airport. They are located at Zone 1 of the Arrivals Road outside of baggage claim.

Convenience

Although they run 24/7, taking the SEPTA buses from Philadelphia airport to downtown is the least convenient transfer option. There are multiple stops along the way, making the journey take over double the time that other transfer options would. Plus, once you reach the city centre, you will need to take another mode of transportation to get to your hotel.

Timetables

BUS 115

BUS 108

Editor’s Note

If you are travelling on a budget, the bus option is less expensive and might be the best option for you. However, the train option is also cheap and much faster.

Useful Tips

You can pay both in cash and by card when purchasing your bus ticket. However, make sure you carry some US dollars as no other currency is accepted in Philadelphia.

Seats are not guaranteed in buses since there is limited space available.

If you are paying in cash, It's better to have the exact change for your ticket, as opposed to large notes.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

20 minute gap between transfers
Regular Car Sanitisation
Contactless ride
Sanitiser in every car

How far is Philadelphia airport from downtown Philadelphia?

The distance from Philadelphia airport to downtown Philly is 12 miles (19km). It’s a 15-minute ride by taxi. There is also a train option which is a 25-minute journey and a 40-minute trip if you get the bus, excluding waiting times.

How to get from Philadelphia airport to downtown?

There are three ways to get from Philadelphia airport to downtown Philly. You can either take a taxi, the train or the bus. All transportation options are easily accessible from the airport. However, if you want to have a guaranteed fast and comfortable door-to-door transfer, then you might want to consider pre-booking your service with a reliable company like Welcome Pickups.

How much does a taxi cost from Philadelphia airport to downtown?

Getting from Philadelphia airport to the city centre is a 12 miles (19km) distance and the trip takes just 15 minutes by taxi. There is a set rate for this trip that comes to $28.50 (€26). This price is for one passenger and there is an additional $1.00 (€0.90) surcharge for every extra passenger. There is no change between day and night fares, and you won’t be charged extra for any luggage items.

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The best way to arrive in Philadelphia

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How to get from Philadelphia airport to downtown by taxi

Taxi fare from Philadelphia airport to city center

Cost

$28.50 (€26)

Trip Duration

15min

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Available 24/7

Where do I get it from?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from Philadelphia airport to city center by train

How much is the train from Philadelphia airport to the city center?

Cost

$7 (€6.50)

Trip Duration

25min

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Available between 04:52-00:30.

Where do I get it from?

Convenience

Timetables

Rail Schedules

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from Philadelphia airport to the city center by bus

How much is the bus from Philadelphia airport to the city center

Cost

$3 (€2.70)

Trip Duration

40min

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

24/7

Where do I get it from?

Convenience

Timetables

BUS 115

BUS 108

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

Frequently asked questions

How far is Philadelphia airport from downtown Philadelphia?

How to get from Philadelphia airport to downtown?

How much does a taxi cost from Philadelphia airport to downtown?

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The best way to arrive in Philadelphia

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