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| City Guide - Philadelphia - Getting Around | ||
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Getting Around Public Transport Philadelphia is easy to navigate thanks to Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA; tel: (215) 580 7800; website: www.septa.org), who operate interconnecting buses, streetcars, subway and commuter trains. Fares on most routes are US$1.60. Token discount packs are also available. During off-peak hours, seniors can ride buses and streetcars for free and trains for US$1. All SEPTA's buses are lift-equipped for wheelchair access. SEPTA's day pass is good for a full day of unlimited travel on all modes of transport, plus a one-way trip on the Airport Rail Line (R1). It costs US$5 and is sold at the visitor centre at 16th Street and JFK Boulevard. Weekly and monthly passes are also available. The purple Phlash (tel: (215) 4 PHLASH or 474 5274) shuttle bus runs a continuous loop around the city centre to the major attractions, from the Art Museum to Penn's Landing. An all-day pass costs US$4; family fares US$10. RiverLink (tel: (215) 925 LINK or 5465; website: www.drpa.org) runs a seasonal passenger ferry service from Penn's Landing to Camden (New Jersey), next to the New Jersey State Aquarium. Ferries run hourly and cost about US$5 roundtrip. Taxis Taxis are easily hailed in the street throughout Center City. There are taxi ranks at the Greyhound terminal and outside 30th Street station, as well as outside many hotels. Taxis may also be telephoned for: City Cab Co (tel: (215) 492 6500); Liberty Cab Co (tel: (215) 389 8000) and Quaker City Cab (tel: (215) 728 8000). Rates start at US$1.80, and go up by US$1.80 per mile. Limousines Many companies offer limousine services around the city. These include CAR ONE Sedan & Limousine (tel: (800) 787 2271; website: www.car1limo.com); Boston Coach (tel: (800) 672 7676; website: www.bostoncoach.com); King Limousines & Transportation (tel: (800) 245 5460; website: www.kinglimousine.com) and Carey Limousine (tel: (800) 336 4646). Rates start at US$65 per hour for stretch limos and US$55 per hour for sedans. Driving in the City With such a compact city centre and good public transport, a car is not necessary in central Philadelphia, although it is useful for excursions to outlying areas. Having said that, navigating is easy as streets are laid out on a grid system. Numbered streets run north-south and named streets run east-west. The main thoroughfares are Broad Street, which runs north-south, and Market Street, which runs east-west; at their intersection is City Hall. As in any large city, the downtown area can sometimes become clogged with traffic, especially during rush hours (0700-0930 and 1530-1830). There are many parking lots and garages located around the city centre. On-street parking is also available in Center City but visitors should look at the posted signs for restrictions on when parking is allowed. Meters generally cost US$0.25 per 20 minutes but do vary. Car Hire Among the major car hire companies operating in Philadelphia are Alamo (tel: (215) 492 3960), Avis (tel: (800) 831 2847); Budget (tel: (800) 824 7088); Dollar (tel: (800) 800 4000); Enterprise (tel: (800) 736 8222; Hertz (tel: (800) 654 3131) and National (tel: (215) 492 2760). Drivers will usually have to be at least 25 years old, depending on company policy. Rates start at around US$60 per day. Bicycle Hire Trophy Bikes, 311 Market Street (tel: (215) 625 7999; website: www.trophybikes.com), rents bicycles by the day (US$25) or half-day (US$18). Prices include lock and helmet. The company also offers guided bike tours (see the Tours of the City section). Bicycles can also be hired in Fairmount Park at Lloyd Hall, 1 Boathouse Row on Kelly Drive. |
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