SEPTA
SEPTA is Philadelphia’s local transit agency, responsible for Regional Rail, subways, buses, and trolleys. SEPTA connects Center City with the surrounding neighborhoods and suburbs as far north as Trenton, New Jersey and south as Newark, Delaware.
Here’s what you’ll need to ride the system:
SEPTA Key is a reloadable, contactless chip card that offers a host of options for seamless travel on all SEPTA modes and the self-serve flexibility of loading/reloading SEPTA fares to match your travel needs. You can load money onto the Travel Wallet (to pay as you go) or you can load a daily/three day/weekly/monthly pass. SEPTA Key cards are available at SEPTA Sales Offices and Fare Kiosks. Fare Kiosks can be found in all Broad Street and Market-Frankford Line Stations, at Bus Loops, at Center City Regional Rail Stations (Temple University, Jefferson Station, Suburban Station, 30th Street Station and Penn Medicine Station) and at the Airport. Kiosks accept cash, credit, debit, tokens, Apple Pay, Google Pay, & Samsung Pay. Best part – you can reload your SEPTA Key online at SEPTAKey.org.
Quick Trips (single-ride tickets) are also available for the Market-Frankford Line, the Broad Street Line, and Regional Rail from Fare Kiosks. Cash is accepted on buses and trolleys – must use exact change. Cash and credit cards are accepted on Regional Rail. For more information, visit ISEPTAPHILLY.COM/key.
AROUND TOWN
Biking is an inexpensive and popular way to get around quickly. Indego, Philadelphia’s bike share system, offers monthly memberships and single rides. Check out bicyclecoalition.org/resources for safety tips, maps and favorite routes on the Circuit Trails – our regional trail network – plus information on taking your bike on the bus or train.
Need a ride? Lyft, the ride-sharing service, is the easiest way to get a ride whenever you need one. Download the Lyft app and get a ride from a friendly driver in minutes.
No car. No problem. Join Zipcar and have wheels when you need them without the hassle of owning your own car. Zipcar makes getting off campus a breeze with gas and insurance included. Visit zipcar.com/campusphilly to join for $15.
Walking! There’s no better way to get to know the city and discover hidden gems. Look into taking a guided walk tour with your friends; you’ll learn and see a lot.
LEAVING TOWN
Intercity buses are another way out of town. Buses depart from the terminal near Chinatown or JFK Boulevard west of 30th Street Station. Look up BoltBus, Megabus, Greyhound and others for $1 flash sales and other discounts.Explore New Jersey! Take PATCO from Center City, with stops along Locust Street and at 8th and Market streets. PATCO rides on the Ben Franklin Bridge into Camden and the suburbs of Collingswood, Haddonfield and Lindenwold. New Jersey Transit trains from 30th Street Station connect to Cherry Hill and Atlantic City.From Philadelphia International Airport, you can take a cab or rideshare to Center City. SEPTA’s Airport Line runs every 30 minutes on weekdays and every hour on Saturday and Sunday from 5 am to midnight and stops at Penn Medicine Station, 30th Street Station, Suburban Station and Jefferson Station in Center City; and Temple University Station. You can purchase a SEPTA Key card or Quick Trip from the SEPTA Fare Kiosks located at each Airport Line terminal stop. The Fare Kiosks accept credit/debit cards and cash. A fare can be purchased onboard the train with cash or a credit card but it will cost you more - $8 instead of $6.75. Several shuttle van companies have good rates, especially for groups; call in advance to reserve.
