ADVERTISEMENT

Transportation in Philadelphia

Str8DBLz

Well-Known Member
Feb 2, 2019
3,098
3,973
1
45
We have hotels booked out by the airport and trying to figure out the best way to get to Wells Fargo arena.

I was in Philly many many moons ago so, anyone with information please chime in.

Parking: I'm sure is available at the arena but I'm guessing it's 50.00 or more per session to park (maybe per day). Thought's?

Is there a rail that runs directly to the airport or would I need to go center city rail then across to the airport? Any ideas on pricing?

I see UBER from the airport is between $31 and $65

Is there a bus? Pricing ideas?

There are currently 5 in my group.
 
We have hotels booked out by the airport and trying to figure out the best way to get to Wells Fargo arena.

I was in Philly many many moons ago so, anyone with information please chime in.

Parking: I'm sure is available at the arena but I'm guessing it's 50.00 or more per session to park (maybe per day). Thought's?

Is there a rail that runs directly to the airport or would I need to go center city rail then across to the airport? Any ideas on pricing?

I see UBER from the airport is between $31 and $65

Is there a bus? Pricing ideas?

There are currently 5 in my group.
it's not a bad walk from there
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Str8DBLz
We have hotels booked out by the airport and trying to figure out the best way to get to Wells Fargo arena.

I was in Philly many many moons ago so, anyone with information please chime in.

Parking: I'm sure is available at the arena but I'm guessing it's 50.00 or more per session to park (maybe per day). Thought's?

Is there a rail that runs directly to the airport or would I need to go center city rail then across to the airport? Any ideas on pricing?

I see UBER from the airport is between $31 and $65

Is there a bus? Pricing ideas?

There are currently 5 in my group.
If you’re in the cluster of hotels near the airport, Eastwick train station is within walking distance. Guessing you’d have to take that to 30th Street and then work your way over to the Broad Street line to get to the arena. Not sure how long that would take.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Str8DBLz
We have hotels booked out by the airport and trying to figure out the best way to get to Wells Fargo arena.

I was in Philly many many moons ago so, anyone with information please chime in.

Parking: I'm sure is available at the arena but I'm guessing it's 50.00 or more per session to park (maybe per day). Thought's?

Is there a rail that runs directly to the airport or would I need to go center city rail then across to the airport? Any ideas on pricing?

I see UBER from the airport is between $31 and $65

Is there a bus? Pricing ideas?

There are currently 5 in my group.
Your best bet is probably driving at least part of it. You might be able to find a spot away from the stadium and then walk/Uber/shuttle from there.

Stadium parking will be ridiculous. You're better off finding a lot in Center City or Universiity City (Best Parking app!) and taking the subway from there. Whereever you park, park once per day.

Public Transit from the hotel: easiest is to take the hotel shuttle to the airport, then Septa to Suburban Station, then the subway to the arena. Unless "airport hotel" means Ridley or Eddystone -- then drive to the Ridley or Prospect Park subway. stations.

EDIT: Eastwick Station listed above is a good option, mostly. It has a very small unsecured parking lot. You won't be able to park there Th/F, and might not want to on any evenings. Uber or hotel shuttle to here.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Str8DBLz
BTW, Septa just re-named all of its transportation lines, for all modes.

They're physically unchanged, and the station names were not changed. So they're all the same routes, just with different route names.

But any directions referencing the old route names will be confusing.
 
We have hotels booked out by the airport and trying to figure out the best way to get to Wells Fargo arena.

I was in Philly many many moons ago so, anyone with information please chime in.

Parking: I'm sure is available at the arena but I'm guessing it's 50.00 or more per session to park (maybe per day). Thought's?

Is there a rail that runs directly to the airport or would I need to go center city rail then across to the airport? Any ideas on pricing?

I see UBER from the airport is between $31 and $65

Is there a bus? Pricing ideas?

There are currently 5 in my group.


If possible switch the reservation to a hotel in center city. You can then take the subway each day. It was $2.70 the last time I took it. I dont know the price today. Less than $5.

Center city is where all the restaurants, bars, and shopping is located. I have stayed in decent hotels for a reasonable price.

The regional rails run direct from the airport to Center City. You would then need to take the subway from CC to the Wells Fargo. The regional rails do not go direct from the airport to Wells Fargo.

Wells fargo lots are expensive but there is free parking in the neighborhoods. I think people can park in FDR park for free.
 
If you’re in the cluster of hotels near the airport, Eastwick train station is within walking distance. Guessing you’d have to take that to 30th Street and then work your way over to the Broad Street line to get to the arena. Not sure how long that would take.

The airport train will stop at 30th but the next stop should be Suburban station which is right by the subway. BSL to Wells Fargo will take 15-20 minutes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Str8DBLz
We have hotels booked out by the airport and trying to figure out the best way to get to Wells Fargo arena.

I was in Philly many many moons ago so, anyone with information please chime in.

Parking: I'm sure is available at the arena but I'm guessing it's 50.00 or more per session to park (maybe per day). Thought's?

Is there a rail that runs directly to the airport or would I need to go center city rail then across to the airport? Any ideas on pricing?

I see UBER from the airport is between $31 and $65

Is there a bus? Pricing ideas?

There are currently 5 in my group.
Download the CityMapper app. It gives you all the options, step by step.

Walking is 4 miles and is listed at 80 minutes. However, as long as you can run from the people chasing you in the direction you want to go, it won't take that long.
 
Take the regional rail to Suburban Station, (about 25 minutes). Take any exit, and you'll be out on Market Street, or get yourself to Market street, between 16th and 17th street. Walk straight down Market toward City Hall (big building with a statue of William Penn on the top). There is a small park right before City Hall named Dilworth Park, and you'll see two triangular shaped glass ways which lead you into the Broad Street Line. Take the subway South to the last exit and NRG and walk over to Wells Fargo.

Here is a copy of the train (regional rail) schedule from the airport and other local stations in to the city and back. Times are a bit different for weekdays vs weekends, and both schedules are shown.

https://schedules.septa.org/current/AIR.pdf



Note: Broad Street would actually be 15th Street if it wasn't name Broad Street. Numbered streets run North/South and named streets run East/West.

Also note: Dilworth Park will usually have a few homeless hanging around. Best to just ignore them unless you want to give them a dollar or two.
 
Go to the Spothero website. I got parking at the Holiday Inn 1.5 miles from Wells Fargo. It's $16/day. They don't charge by the session. Hopefully, they still have spots available. Hopefully, they haven't jacked up the prices.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Str8DBLz
It's about a 5 mile walk

Are you locked in on an airport hotel?

If you can find a comparable priced hotel Center City that is the way to go. You could park and never move the car. Probably get parking comped by the hotel. You could then take the subway each day which is VERY easy. Straight run. You could eat or drink in CC.

The airport area does not have much going on.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Str8DBLz
That is about right. I googled the closest airport hotel, doubletree to Wells Fargo. 4.4 miles.
That's for driving. There are no pedestrian walkways on the 2 closest bridges across the Schuylkill River (I-95 and the Platt Bridge).

Though I guess someone could play real life Frogger in traffic.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Str8DBLz
Are you locked in on an airport hotel?

If you can find a comparable priced hotel Center City that is the way to go. You could park and never move the car. Probably get parking comped by the hotel. You could then take the subway each day which is VERY easy. Straight run. You could eat or drink in CC.

The airport area does not have much going on.

We are not locked into the room and we can cancel up to noon on Wednesday.

Maybe after people start cancelling rooms center city the prices will come down. We snagged the DoubleTree just to have something. Rooms aren't bad priced at 110.00 per night. I read the reviews and they are not where near as bad as a few other airport hotel area hotels.

Another thing is we pay to park per night at the hotel, 25.00 per day, center city hotels I'd imagine are the same or more.
 
Are you locked in on an airport hotel?

If you can find a comparable priced hotel Center City that is the way to go. You could park and never move the car. Probably get parking comped by the hotel. You could then take the subway each day which is VERY easy. Straight run. You could eat or drink in CC.

The airport area does not have much going on.
There are a few rooms left in Cemter City at $1000 pre-tax for 4 nights. Most are $1300 before tax.

Comped parking is funny. Often nearby lots or garages are cheaper than the hotel lot (sometimes it's the same lot, without the hotel surcharge).

But yeah, a few extra dollars per person per night is worth the convenience and time saved by not dealing with Regional Rail timelines. Depends on how many "a few" is.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Str8DBLz
Wells fargo lots are expensive but there is free parking in the neighborhoods. I think people can park in FDR park for free.
I would be wary of leaving my car at FDR Park for an extended peiod of time. A few years ago, my Congresscritter got carjacked there at gunpoint on a weekday afternoon.

Not to scare-monger, it's gemerally safe, especially when the open-air Asian market is running. But I wouldn't want to try to find my car there after evening sessions.
 
the south bar GIF by Party Down South

I plan on riding the PBR bull to the arena and back to my hotel
 
  • Like
Reactions: Str8DBLz
We are not locked into the room and we can cancel up to noon on Wednesday.

Maybe after people start cancelling rooms center city the prices will come down. We snagged the DoubleTree just to have something. Rooms aren't bad priced at 110.00 per night. I read the reviews and they are not where near as bad as a few other airport hotel area hotels.

Another thing is we pay to park per night at the hotel, 25.00 per day, center city hotels I'd imagine are the same or more.


Nothing wrong with the price or the hotel.

My point is the location. Center city is where the action is and it is also very easy to get to the wells fargo.
 
I would be wary of leaving my car at FDR Park for an extended peiod of time. A few years ago, my Congresscritter got carjacked there at gunpoint on a weekday afternoon.

Not to scare-monger, it's gemerally safe, especially when the open-air Asian market is running. But I wouldn't want to try to find my car there after evening sessions.
I was also thinking of the terrifying show called Parking wars Philadelphia and the Philadelphia parking authority lines.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mhlarch
I was also thinking of the terrifying show called Parking wars Philadelphia and the Philadelphia parking authority lines.
For an out of town visitor, I'd probably stick to lots and garages for main streets north of Packer Ave, and anything north of Bainbridge.

Many streets are ok but the parking signs are confusing at best. And the parking nazis are far worse than any college campus.

Might find something less confusing in the neighborhoods, but then parking there can be extremely limited and tight squeezes.

A little different for those who have lived here a while and know their way around.

True story: a disabled friend parked legally in a handicapped space, tag displayed, in Center City near Monk's. Came back from dinner and the car had towing stickers on it. Parking nazi missed the PA handicapped tag, wrote a ticket, and called the towing company. $300 ticket and lucky the tow hadn't arrived yet, because recovering an impounded car in Philly is hell. Friend took pics of the tag displayed and appealed. Denied, and now add court costs.

Parking in Philly can be FAFO even if you know what you're doing.
 
Last edited:
I would be wary of leaving my car at FDR Park for an extended peiod of time. A few years ago, my Congresscritter got carjacked there at gunpoint on a weekday afternoon.

Not to scare-monger, it's gemerally safe, especially when the open-air Asian market is running. But I wouldn't want to try to find my car there after evening sessions.
<Insert covid joke here. >
 
  • Haha
Reactions: mhlarch
That's for driving. There are no pedestrian walkways on the 2 closest bridges across the Schuylkill River (I-95 and the Platt Bridge).

Though I guess someone could play real life Frogger in traffic.
As a graduate of temple university and having lived in various areas in Philadelphia my remark on driving was not intended as a serious proposal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: El-Jefe
Download the CityMapper app. It gives you all the options, step by step.

Walking is 4 miles and is listed at 80 minutes. However, as long as you can run from the people chasing you in the direction you want to go, it won't take that long.
And remember you don’t have to outrun the dozens of physical threats you’ll encounter each way, you just have to outrun the other people who chose the hour and a half walk over 5 miles.
 
Go to the Spothero website. I got parking at the Holiday Inn 1.5 miles from Wells Fargo. It's $16/day. They don't charge by the session. Hopefully, they still have spots available. Hopefully, they haven't jacked up the prices.
I've got a spot reserved there, but man! Walking there Friday night or Saturday night after those sessions at whatever dark thirty won't be the most pleasant (or safe?) half hour walk.
 
I've got a spot reserved there, but man! Walking there Friday night or Saturday night after those sessions at whatever dark thirty won't be the most pleasant (or safe?) half hour walk.
Safety-wise won't be bad. It's mostly along main streets. Or if you cut thru the neighborhoods, those are residential. Pay attention but you're probably OK. My wife used to live a little further north of there (a few blocks past the Broad/Oregon subway station), and we walked to/from the stadium complex a few times with no issues.

Might not be too pleasant at night in March, especially if you've had a few to drink.

Uber/Lyft to there might not be bad if you can kill 30 min or so afterward. Will be expensive as hell if you try to go ASAP after sessions end.

Or: take the Chickie's & Pete's "Taxi Crab" shuttle bus from the stadium to their sports bar, then walk the last 1/2 mile. It typically picks up on Pattison Ave/11th St, in front of Xfinity Live and the Phillies stadium. It fills up and you might have to wait for a few to go by, but it's easier than the walk.
 
Last edited:
Just make sure you grab a drink and some food at the Philadium on Packer Ave between session. Great food and beer. And a toilet next to a urinal with no partition. Old school style!
 
Safety-wise won't be too bad. It's mostly along main streets. Or if you cut thru the neighborhoods, those are residential. Pay attention but you're probably OK.

Might not be too pleasant at night in March, especially if you've had a few to drink.

Uber/Lyft to there might not be bad if you can kill 30 min or so afterward. Will be expensive as hell if you try to go ASAP after sessions end.

Or: take the Chickie's & Pete's "Taxi Crab" shuttle bus from the stadium to their sports bar, then walk the last 1/2 mile. It typically picks up on Pattison Ave, at the intersection at Xfinity Live and the Phillies stadium. It fills up a lot and you might have to wait for a few to go by.
Thanks for the info, appreciated. There *appears* to be a SEPTA bus that runs from right near the Holiday Inn to near the arena area, but the SEPTA web site doesn't make it easy to figure out the route and schedule. Only like 6 minutes, supposedly runs every 15 minutes during the day, but about every 45 minutes or more at night. From WF:

 
Thanks for the info, appreciated. There *appears* to be a SEPTA bus that runs from right near the Holiday Inn to near the arena area, but the SEPTA web site doesn't make it easy to figure out the route and schedule. Only like 6 minutes, supposedly runs every 15 minutes during the day, but about every 45 minutes or more at night. From WF:

That might work, but as a caution, not many people take the bus in Philly unless they have to. That route might not be too bad given where you depart and arrive. You could always ask at the hotel front desk what they think.

Even so, remember that the bus doesn't start there, it's a loop, they don't kick everybody off at the "starting point," and you don't know who's riding around. I'd check out the rest of the people on the bus when boarding. Including the driver. And maybe it's OK, but I wouldn't assume that.

It might be a good option on the way into the stadium as well.
 
@NothingMeaningful

Now that I'm home and using my laptop instead of my phone ... second thoughts on that plan.

1. That Holiday Inn is a fairly recent chain swap. It might be OK now, but in several of its previous lives that hotel was awfully seedy with a bunch of abandoned lots on its side of the street. When my wife lived in South Philly, we called it the Crack Inn. I would be wary of staying there, and I'd want the parking lot to be secured. At least you'd return to your car before too late.

2. Penrose Ave is not safe for pedestrians. It's 5 lanes and if the speed limit is 35, they're going 50. Or more. But there are sidewalks, so if you cross to the hotel side immediately after departing the bus, then that will be better.

3. The bus stop is about a block from the hotel. It's not a residential block, it's an industrial block (size and type). You'd have to walk under a freeway underpass at night, then navigate a convoluted intersection which is kinda crazy in a car, on foot. And then walk an industrial/possibly seedy block.

4. Penrose Diner across the street is generally packed, and I'd consider that safe. But it's across the street, and you're not crossing directly at the diner at night.

I'd probably either Uber from the stadium, or take the shuttle to Chickie's & Pete's and Uber from there. At the least, before parking I'd drive up 20th to the bus stop area (at the I-76 underpass) and size up what it might look like at night.
 
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT