Passport/Visa Requirements: All U.S. citizens must have a passport when traveling by air to or from Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America and Mexico. Citizens of Canada, Mexico and the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda also must have a passport or other designated secure document to enter the U.S.
Beginning 1 June 2009, passports are required for land crossings at the Canadian and Mexican borders with the U.S. and for cruise passengers returning to the U.S. from Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada or Bermuda. Reconfirm travel-document requirements with your carrier prior to departure.
Population: 1,463,281.
Languages: English.
Predominant Religions: Christian (Roman Catholic, Protestant), Jewish.
Time Zone: 5 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-5 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.
Voltage Requirements: 110 volts.
Telephone Codes: 215, area code; 267,area code; 610 and 484 for some nearby suburbs; and 609 and 856 for south New Jersey suburbs;
| Currency Exchange | Top  |
Most ATMs accept major bank cards (and credit cards with a PIN) and dispense U.S. currency at the going rate of exchange. ATMs are readily available around the city and at area banks. Bank hours vary but generally are Monday-Thursday 8:30 or 9 am-3 or 4 pm, Friday 8:30 or 9 am-5 or 6 pm. Some banks are open Saturday 9 am-noon.
City sales tax is 7% (though not for most apparel). The hotel occupancy tax is 14%. Meals in restaurants are taxed 7%; liquor is taxed 10%.
A 15%-20% tip is customary in restaurants. Tip 15% for cabs and tours.
Philadelphia has four distinct seasons, with spring and fall the most beautiful and pleasant. The city's climate is moderated by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean: high humidity in summer, frequent high winds and moderate cold in winter. January's average temperature is 33 F/1 C. Temperatures tend to dip below freezing in the evening. July's average temperature is 75 F/24 C with sunny, humid days that sometimes exceed 90 F/32 C with more than 90% humidity. April and October average temperatures are in the 50s F/10-15 C. Annual rainfall is 41 in/104 cm, with the heaviest rain in July and August. Annual snowfall is 21 in/53 cm.
| Weather Forecast | Top  |
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| Pressure: | 1021.32726176 Millibars | | Dew Point: | 48 °F/ 9 °C | | Humidity: | 61% | | Visibility: | 6 Miles / 10 Kilometers | | Wind: | 4 MPH / 7 KPH NNE | | Comfort Index: | 66 °F/ 19 °F | | Last Updated: | 10/15/2008 10:00:00 AM |
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| THU | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| OVERCAST | 75 °F
24 °C | 50 °F
10 °C | | FRI | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| SCATTERED CLOUDS | 60 °F
16 °C | 44 °F
7 °C | | SAT | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| SCATTERED CLOUDS | 55 °F
13 °C | 41 °F
5 °C | | SUN | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| MAINLY SUNNY | 60 °F
16 °C | 42 °F
6 °C | | MON | Weather Condition | High | Low |
| MAINLY SUNNY | 62 °F
17 °C | 44 °F
7 °C |
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| What to Wear | Top |
Many Philadelphia companies have instituted casual-dress policies. However, some segments of Philadelphia's business community still adhere to a more conservative dress code—suits or sport jackets and ties for men and their counterparts for women. On a first visit to a company, you may want to wear more conservative business attire.
Leisure travelers will have an easier time matching their attire to the weather. A more formal dress code applies in some finer restaurants, nightclubs and dance clubs. As in most Eastern cities, a dark palette—blacks, grays, browns—is the norm for fine dining and cultural events.
In Philadelphia, dressing for the seasons is a predictable matter—but remember that this is an East Coast city, and summers can be extremely hot. Be sure to take light-colored, lightweight clothes in summer, as well as plenty of sunscreen and a hat. In winter, the wind off the rivers can go right through you, so dress in warm layers.
| Communication | Top |
| Internet Access | Top |
Thanks to the "Wireless Philadelphia" initiative, Philly is attempting to becoming a totally wireless metropolis—all 135 sq mi/350 sq km of it. Most of Center City and some outlying neighborhoods are Wi-Fi, and the project to create a totally wireless city continues. However, because the project has had a few technical glitches, you shouldn't count on its availability.
Free Wi-Fi. 2212 South St. (at 22nd Street), Philadelphia.
Free Wi-Fi. 3631 Walnut St. (between 36th and 37th streets), Philadelphia.
Free Wi-Fi. 1901 Vine St. (Logan Square), Philadelphia.
Free Wi-Fi. 207 S. 15th St. (at Locust Street), Philadelphia.
Free Wi-Fi. 1636 Walnut St. (at 17th Street), Philadelphia.
Free Wi-Fi. 221 Church St. (off Third Street), Philadelphia.
Free Wi-Fi. 202 S. 13th St. (at Chancellor Street), Philadelphia.
| Mail & Package Services | Top |
The main U.S. Post Office is at 2970 Market St. near the 30th Street Station (phone 215-596-5577). The Penn Center Suburban Station, on John F. Kennedy Boulevard between 17th and 18th streets, is open Monday-Friday 7 am-6 pm and Saturday 9 am-noon (phone 215-496-9679). If you'd like to use the post office that Ben Franklin once used, go downstairs at Franklin Court at 316 Market St. (between Third and Fourth streets). For other branches and hours of operation, phone 215-895-8000. http://www.usps.com.
| Newspapers & Magazines | Top |
The Philadelphia Inquirer is a morning daily paper. On Friday, it publishes a special weekend section with a comprehensive entertainment guide and calendar of events.
The Daily News is published afternoons, daily except Sunday, with an exceptionally large sports section and a weekend guide on Friday called "Yo." Both papers are available at curbside vending machines, newsstands and hotel gift shops.
In addition to the Inquirer's weekly entertainment guide, two free weekly newspapers offer events listings: Philadelphia Weekly, published Wednesday (found in bars and cafes), and City Paper, appearing on Thursday. 34th Street Magazine, the arts-and-entertainment subset of the University of Pennsylvania's The Daily Pennsylvanian, draws a large readership because of its extensive coverage of the local entertainment scene.
While the two free weeklies probably are the best sources for current entertainment and nightlife information, Philadelphia Magazine, Philly's monthly city magazine, offers restaurant, book, performance, nightlife and other reviews and in-depth information. Its award-winning profiles, political analysis and investigative reporting are recognized nationwide.
The Philadelphia Gay News, Al Dia (a weekly Spanish-language newspaper) and the daily Philadelphia Tribune (the voice of the local African-American community) are also widely available. The Philadelphia Business Journal and Focus are the two most popular business publications.
Most hotel gift shops, newsstands and bookstores carry major U.S. newspapers such as The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times as well as some foreign publications. At the Chinatown and Italian markets, you can usually find vendors who sell international publications, but availability and location are subject to change.
Philadelphia has pay phones available on many street corners, and they do take coins. The pay phones at the airport also take credit cards. Area codes are required for all calls, including local calls. Cell phone coverage is adequate throughout Metro Philadelphia, though it might get spotty when you reach the hilly regions about two hours west of the city.
| Transportation | Top |
Because on-street parking is difficult to find and parking lots in the tourist areas can be expensive, walking or using the bus is advised if you are going sightseeing. The Independence Park area is easily covered on foot, by subway or by using the Phlash shuttle service, which makes a continuous loop around most tourist attractions. The convention center, hotels, restaurants and shopping are within easy walking distance of one another and of the historic area.
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is served by most major airlines. It's located 8 mi/13 km from Center City—20-25 minutes away by car. http://www.phl.org.
If you're flying in from another country, you'll land at Terminal A-West, which has nearly doubled Philadelphia's capacity for overseas flights. Southwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines have added Philly to their routes, and more than a dozen daily flights are available to cities west of the Rockies.
Connecting transportation
Best way:
Taxi stands are located outside each baggage claim. The flat-fare rate to Center City is US$25.
Lady Liberty shuttle service (phone 215-724-8888) operates 5 am-midnight, picking up passengers outside baggage claim. The fare is US$10 to Center City hotel stops and US$15 for hotels along City Line Avenue. Travel time is approximately 30 minutes, depending on traffic. Reservations are not needed from the airport but are needed from city locations back to the airport. http://ladylibertyshuttle.com.
Most airport hotels offer complimentary van service with pickup points outside the baggage claim. There's a hotel phone board near the baggage claim in each terminal building.
Other options:
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) buses offer service on Routes 37 and 108 from the airport to the Greyhound Bus Terminal at Filbert and 10th streets and the 30th Street Station for US$2.
The R1 SEPTA Airport Line (electric train) connects five Center City stops (University City, Eastwick Station, 30th Street Station, Suburban Station and Market East Station) with all airport terminals. This is the economical means of getting into Center City, but it's a hassle if you're traveling with heavy luggage. The train costs US$5.50. Tickets can be purchased on the train. The train operates daily 5:25 am-11:25 pm, every 30 minutes, and travel time is approximately 20 minutes to Center City. Phone 215-580-7800. http://www.septa.org.
Car rental agencies are located in all baggage claim areas. For rates and other information, contact agencies directly.
Intercity bus service is frequent. The Greyhound Bus Lines Terminal is in Center City at 11th and Filbert streets (toll-free 800-231-2222). Martz Trailways (toll-free 800-233-8604) and Bieber Tourways (toll-free 800-243-2374), though separate operations, are both located in the Greyhound terminal and provide service between Philadelphia and outlying Pennsylvania cities, such as Reading, Bethlehem, Allentown and the Pocono Mountains.
New Jersey Transit, with offices also in the Greyhound Terminal, serves Philadelphia from neighboring New Jersey cities and Atlantic-shore points (phone 215-569-3752). Peter Pan Trailways connects Philadelphia to Atlantic City and major East Coast cities from a terminal adjoining Greyhound's at 11th and Filbert (toll-free 800-343-9999). Greyhound also provides service to Atlantic City and other points outside the state.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 76) connects Philadelphia with the Pennsylvania Dutch attractions of Lancaster (about 90 minutes west), as well as Harrisburg (the state capital) and points west to Pittsburgh. I-95 passes through the city on its run up the East Coast (from Florida to Maine), and the New Jersey Turnpike (I-295) also leads to Philadelphia. We recommend renting a car only if you plan to visit other Pennsylvania destinations.
The Freedom Ferry crosses the Delaware River to the waterfront in Camden, New Jersey, May to mid-September, making it easy to visit attractions such as the USS
New Jersey, the Adventure Aquarium and the Camden Children's Garden. Ferries for the 10-minute crossing operate daily. On the New Jersey side, garage parking (US$1 per hour/US$8 per day) is available daily 6 am-6:30 pm across from the aquarium. An outdoor lot on Federal Street (between Third Street and Riverside Drive) is available for US$5 per day. Both facilities are within walking distance of the ferry terminal. Round-trip tickets are US$6 adults, US$5 children and may be purchased at both the Penn's Landing and Camden terminals. Phone 215-925-5465. http://www.riverlinkferry.com.
| Public Transportation | Top |
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is an excellent system of buses, trolleys, subway/elevated lines and regional trains. Visitors can travel on SEPTA within the entire Philadelphia region, including four surrounding suburban counties and to a handful of cities and towns in Delaware and New Jersey.
Frequent bus service covers the entire business and tourist area, and some operate daily 24 hours, though others stop running after midnight. A good bus to take is Route 33. It will take you close to top attractions (Betsy Ross House, Independence Hall, Penn's Landing, Reading Terminal Market, the Liberty Bell, the Franklin Institute, City Hall and the Philadelphia Museum of Art).
Two subway lines serve the city 24 hours a day. Market-Frankford (also called the "El" because it's elevated) runs east and west, and Broad Street runs north and south.
Trolleys run east and west with limited suburban stops.
The base fare on most bus, trolley and subway routes is US$2—exact change required—and transfers are US$0.75 (must be purchased when you board). Tokens are less expensive and cost US$1.30 each. They're sold in packs of two, five and 10 and can be purchased at all subway stops and at many drugstores. Seniors ride free during off-peak hours on buses and trolleys and for US$1 on trains.
Consider SEPTA's DayPass, good for a day's unlimited riding on all city transit vehicles, plus a one-way trip on the Airport Line. The DayPass costs US$6 and can be purchased at the visitors center at Sixth and Market streets.
Bus and commuter train schedules are available at all three Center City train stops (30th Street Station, Suburban Station and Market East Station) and from SEPTA's Information and Passenger Service office at 1234 Market St. Phone 215-580-7800. http://www.septa.org.
The city operates a distinctive purple trolley called the Phlash (daily May-November 10 am-6 pm). Running at 12-minute intervals, it makes a continuous loop past many of the city's most popular tourist destinations, including the historic area, South Street, the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the waterfront and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Board wherever you see the PHLASH wings. Fare is US$1 for a single trip. You can purchase a US$4 day pass or a US$10 family pass for unlimited travel. Tickets can be purchased at the visitors center, at the RiverLink in Penn's Landing or onboard. Phone 215-474-5274.
The Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) is also a fast, economical way to travel around Center City and to southern New Jersey. Fare for the electric train ranges US$1.15-$2.45 among four Philadelphia stops located in the business and historic sections and across the Benjamin Franklin Bridge to New Jersey stops such as Camden, Haddonfield and Collingswood. Purchase Smart Card tickets, which are required, from machines at all PATCO stops. Schedules are also available at all PATCO stops. Phone 215-922-4600. http://www.drpa.org/patco.
Ships dock at Pier 1 at the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal at 5100 S. Broad St. Only 10 minutes from the airport and about 15 from Center City, it's accessible via Interstate 76 and I-95. Parking is available for US$10 per day. Currently, 22 cruise ships embark out of Philadelphia between early May and late August. As it is mostly a cargo terminal, there are few services and no attractions in the vicinity. Taxis are readily available from the terminal to Center City and the airport (US$10-$15). Some cruise companies will arrange shuttle service to Center City for their passengers. Phone 856-968-2052. http://www.cruisephilly.com.
Cabs can be hailed on the street or ordered at hotels. There are several major cab companies, all of which operate 24 hours a day: United Cab (phone 215-423-8000) and Olde City Taxi Coach (phone 215-338-0838) are two reliable companies. You can hail a cab within minutes from most downtown street corners. Many companies allow passengers to share the cost of a cab going to destinations within the same area.
Taxis from the airport to Center City locations charge a flat US$26.50 fee, plus tip, and will carry up to four passengers.
Amtrak operates rail service through Philadelphia along the Northeast Corridor from Boston to Washington and is an excellent alternative to driving or flying. All trains arrive at 30th Street Station (at Market Street). Toll-free 800-872-7245. http://www.amtrak.com.
For more affordable rail travel, consider using SEPTA (phone 215-580-7800; http://www.septa.org) and NJ Transit (phone 973-762-5100; http://www.newjerseytransit.com). Fares between New York and Philadelphia are about US$30, but you must change train systems in Trenton, New Jersey, making the journey about 30 minutes longer. Purchase tickets together at any train station or vendor machine through either line.
| For More Information | Top |
| Convention & Visitors Bureau | Top |
This nonprofit organization promotes Philadelphia and regional tourism. 30 S. 17th St., Suite 1710, Philadelphia. Phone 215-599-0776. http://gophila.com.
This agency caters to groups, but you can visit the Web site for useful information as an individual traveler. It offers free literature by mail and some information for foreign visitors. Open Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm. 1700 Market St., Suite 300, Philadelphia. Phone 215-636-3300. http://www.pcvb.org.
| Tourist Offices | Top |
This visitor center serves not only the Independence National Historical Park but also the greater metropolitan area. This is the place to stop for maps and brochures, tickets and information about hotel packages. Daily 8:30 am-5:30 pm (but hours change seasonally). 1 N. Independence Mall W. (the corner of Sixth and Market streets), Philadelphia. Phone 215-965-7676. Toll-free 800-537-7676. http://www.independencevisitorcenter.com.
