7 hour layover in Philly

[Nebr.cruiser]

We have a long--7 hour--layover in Philly.  Is that time enough to leave the airport and see a few sights or just too much hassle or too little time?

[njhorseman]

9 hours ago, Nebr.cruiser said:

We have a long--7 hour--layover in Philly.  Is that time enough to leave the airport and see a few sights or just too much hassle or too little time?

You have enough time to go to Center City Philadelphia. You can take the SEPTA Regional Rail Line from PHL to Center City . Suburban Station is probably closest to the major city attractions. You can learn about this rail service here:

https://www.phl.org/Pages/passengerinfo/transportationservices/cct_connect.aspx

 

http://www.septa.org/welcome/airport.html

[megr1125]

Probably enough to do something.  Suburban and/or Jefferson stations would be best.  

 

The train to/from the airport leaves approx every 20 minutes and you can get tickets on the train.  (SEPTA is in the midst of rolling out a "Key" system but I think you can still buy tickets from the conductor)

 

Much of Philly is walkable...the Liberty Bell in Old City is maybe 15 minutes walk from Jefferson Station.  

 

Try these too

https://www.visitphilly.com/features/philadelphia-phlash-downtown-loop/

 

https://www.hop-on-hop-off-bus.com/philadelphia

 

This is fun and is at/adjacent to Jefferson Station:  (it's somewhat attached to the station and Convention Center)

https://readingterminalmarket.org/

 

Occasionally in bad weather, the airport line is delayed or cancelled, in which case, get Uber/Lyft or a taxi to/from the airport.  Taxi is a flat rate, I can't recall how much exactly, $30 or so.....

 

If you have TSA PreCheck, you'll get through security a lot faster but on a domestic flight, depending on time of day, I'd allow 90 minutes...though Philly seems to have this pretty well organized.  

 

Hope that helps...I'm really close to Philly and go there a lot, by train......and I am sure some Philly locals will chime in as well.

[phillyguy31]

You have plenty of time to visit the city which by uber is about 15 minutes to the historic area (Liberty Bell, Independence Hall). However give yourself at least 2 hours when you get back to the airport unless you have precheck. The lines at terminal B (American) get very long. Terminals D and E are not as bad. Haven't flown terminal A for a long time so I can't help you there. 

[princeton123211]

I wouldn't bother with the Septa train-- Uber or Lyft will be a quicker way to get into Center City. You have plenty of time to run around-- I would limit it to one area of town though. Either the historic sights in Old City or shopping/dining in Rittenhouse Square. 

[Nebr.cruiser]

Thanks everyone; gives me some ideas and we will go from there.  We may be so tired after 13 night cruise and 3 days in Amsterdam that just vegging out in the Admiral's Club will be all we want to do!  We may be train/trammed out by then.

 

I would like to see the historic center, though.