Intro to SEPTA Transportation Guide
Hello all! We at November Project Philadelphia are super stoked to be the hosting the 10th annual November Project Summit September 16th through the 19th. This guide is meant to give you a crash course on how to get around Philly so you can spend less time planning when you are here, more time having fun perusing our city with awesome people, and less money on UBERs. Getting around Philly is pretty easy once you learn the lay of the land and we would much rather you spend more money on food, experiences and activities than transportation. Using this guide to navigate the South Eastern Pennsylvania Transport Authority (SEPTA) system is highly recommended to enhance your NP Summit 10 experience, it is highly encouraged that you use this. Before we get started make sure you get familiar with the SEPTA trip planner on your desktop so you can start planning ahead based on where you are staying. Otherwise, you can use google maps while you are on the go. Just make sure to toggle to the Public Transportation icon in your maps app for the best route options.
If you want to use actual google
Public Transit Guide Part 1: What you’ll need
Cash or a SEPTA key card. Keycards can be purchased for $5 and once registered online, $4.95 will be converted to money for public fare use. You can also add fare money online as well. Bus and subway fares are $2.50 ($2 if you’re using your SEPTA Key Card) for a single trip. However, to get the most bang for your buck this weekend we recommend that you purchase the 3 day convenience pass for $15 right out of the gate. This will give you access to 8 buses, subways, and trolleys per day. The convenient pass wont cover fare from the airport fare but you can buy a 1 way ride ticket at the kiosk as well . SEPTA key cards can be purchased at kiosks at almost every SEPTA station. For an interactive map on where to locate kiosks, CLICK HERE
Public Transit Guide Part 2: SEPTA Regional Rail (Airport Line)
For those of you coming to Philly by plane you will actually have a GOLDEN opportunity to have your first Philadelphia Public Transit experience on the Regional Railroad. How exciting!?! This train system will take you directly from the airport right to the heart of Center City for less than $7 for a single ride. If you purchase the Zone 1 Weekly Trailpass for $28 the trip will be covered. So before you get on that train make sure to find that kiosk and purchase your key card so you can be set for the weekend! The kiosks will be located in the foyer on the way to the train platform. Just follow the signs in the airport that read “Center City Train”. Once you purchase your key card, make sure to input your destination into your SEPTA app so you know your next move after the train drops you off. There are 4 main Regional Rail stops in center city. Depending on where you are staying, it could be a short walk, a short subway or bus ride ride, or a less expensive UBER from 1 of those 4 stations to your next destination. Know your options 🙂 UBER rides from the airport will range from $25-$55 at standard pricing. This does not include potential surges.
Public Transit Guide Part 3: General Things to Know
- Philly is a grid bordered between the Schuykill (pronounced skool-kl) and Delaware Rivers. The numbered streets run North/South and increase in number the further west you go.
- Our named streets run East/West and are named mostly after trees.
- It’s approximately 1/10th of a mile between each numbered street.
- So if you were on 2nd and Chestnut and wanted to meet a friend at 12th and Chestnut, it’s a 1 mile (10 block) walk in the western direction.
- If you were at 2nd and Chestnut and wanted to meet a friend at 2nd and Walnut, it would be 1 block (.1 mile) walk in the south direction
- We don’t have a 1st St (it’s called Front) nor will you find a 14th St (it’s called Broad St)
- Our City Hall is at the intersection of two major streets, Broad St (North/South) and Market St (East/West).
- The Art museum is along a diagonal strip directly from City Hall in the Northwestern quadrant of the city. The name of this strip is called the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
- Other notable locations along this diagonal are: Love Park, Logan Square, and Eakins Oval most of which you will become familiar with throughout the weekend. Speaking of familiar! Here is a short list of places you’ll need to be familiar with how to get to. PS – below each place is hyperlinked in google maps for quick reference. Bookmark this page!!
- Lemon Hill, at 1 Lemon Hill Drive (for those coming to the Friday AM workout)
- Extra Mile: Students Run Fundraiser at Five Below, at 701 Market St (Friday from 6-8pm)
- Philadelphia Museum of Art Steps, at 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway (Saturday workout)
- Love Park, at 1569 JFK Boulevard (Tour Starting Location for those who registered)
- Philadelphia Runner at 1711 Walnut (for bib Pickup Fri 12-6pm, Sat 11am-4pm)
- Eakins Oval is across from the Art Museum (Where each race will begin)
- PDR Cheer Station at Lloyd Hall behind the Art Museum (Meet at 6:20am)
- Brooklyn Bowl at 1009 Canal St (Sunday evening after party from 6-10pm)
Public Transit Guide Part 4: SEPTA Subway system
- There are two major subways.
- The Broad Street Line (orange) runs North and South under Broad St.
- The Market Frankford Line (blue) runs west to east under/above market street until it curves North after 2nd St.
- There are also subway surface lines which run west of City Hall. (green)
- Finally there’s the PATCO line that takes you into New Jersey. (red)
- Regional Rail line is not shown here but know that it stops at 30th street, 15th street and 11th street.
Public Transit Guide Part 5: SEPTA Buses
- The Philly Phlash is a bus that can take you to a lot of major sites. It’s $5 for a day pass https://ridephillyphlash.com/
- Otherwise, our SEPTA buses fill in the blanks for our subway and regional rail systems. There are many buses so use the SEPTA APP (Apple or Google) to help you navigate them.
- Bring cash or your nifty SEPTA keycard!
Public Transit Guide Part 6: Indego Bikes
Indego Bikes is Philadelphias Bike share program. For more details on how it works check out this link: https://www.rideindego.com/how-it-works/
Big thanks to our members Sammy Choy, Rebecca Uhl, and the Tour Guide committee for spearheading the creation of this transportation guide. If you see them out and about give them a huge high five, fist bump, or warm embrace! We hope this Transportation Guide finds you well.
Love, NP Philly
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