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Arriving in Philadelphia: From PHL Airport to Rittenhouse Square
Here is how to get from Philadelphia airport to Rittenhouse Square: take SEPTA's Airport Line to Center City in under 30 minutes, or a taxi at a $32 flat rate. Arriving by Amtrak? From William H. Gray III 30th Street Station, Rittenhouse Square is about a mile east across the Schuylkill River, a short taxi ride or a 20-minute walk to The Franklin on Rittenhouse.
How do you get from PHL Airport to Rittenhouse Square?
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is about 7 miles from Center City, according to the airport, and you have three practical options to reach the hotel.
SEPTA Airport Line (train)
The SEPTA Airport Line is a Regional Rail line that stops at every PHL terminal and runs into Center City. According to SEPTA, trains run about every 30 minutes, from roughly 5 am to midnight, and the trip to Center City takes less than 30 minutes. On the current timetable, the ride from Terminal A to 30th Street Station takes about 19 minutes, and to Suburban Station about 24 minutes. You can pay with a contactless bank card, a SEPTA Key card or cash. From Suburban Station, Rittenhouse Square is a short taxi ride or a walk of about 15 minutes. See schedules on SEPTA's website.
Taxi
Taxis from PHL to Center City charge a flat rate of $32 for one passenger, with a $1 surcharge for each additional passenger over 12. The flat-rate zone covers the area between the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers, which includes Rittenhouse Square. Details are on PHL's official taxi page.
Rideshare
Rideshare pickups at PHL are in Zone 7, labeled "Ride Share App Services." Fares vary with demand, so compare the price with the taxi flat rate before booking.
Which option is best?
For PHL airport to Center City, the train is the cheapest choice when you travel light and arrive during service hours. A taxi is simpler with luggage, with children or late at night, and the flat rate makes the price predictable. Allow extra time on weekday afternoons and before holidays, when traffic on Interstate 95 and the Schuylkill Expressway slows the drive into Center City.
Arriving by train at 30th Street Station
Amtrak trains from New York and Washington, D.C., arrive at William H. Gray III 30th Street Station, Philadelphia's main rail hub, on the west bank of the Schuylkill River.
- From New York: the fastest Acela trains on Amtrak's current timetable take about 1 hour 15 minutes from New York Penn Station to Philadelphia. Northeast Regional trains take a little longer and cost less.
- From Washington, D.C.: Acela trains take just under 2 hours from Washington Union Station to Philadelphia.
- From the station to the hotel: Rittenhouse Square is about a mile east. A taxi takes a few minutes, or you can walk across the Walnut Street or Chestnut Street bridge in about 20 minutes.
For Amtrak New York to Philadelphia trips, the train is usually faster door to door than driving, with no tolls or parking to pay at the end. Travelers who search for hotels near 30th Street Station often choose Rittenhouse Square instead: the station is only a mile away, and the neighborhood offers far more restaurants and evening options than the area around the station.
Plan your trip on Amtrak's Northeast Regional route page.
Arriving by car: parking near Rittenhouse Square
The Franklin on Rittenhouse does not offer on-site parking, so drivers should plan to use a nearby garage.
The hotel recommends the Latimer Garage at 1510 Latimer Street, which charges $30 for 24 hours and accepts cash only. Most of Center City is walkable from Rittenhouse Square, so many guests leave the car in the garage for the whole stay and explore on foot. Business travelers can find more tips in our guide to The Franklin as Philadelphia's best-kept business secret.
What to do on your first evening in Rittenhouse
Your first evening in Philadelphia can start the moment you drop your bags: Rittenhouse Square is 0.2 miles from the hotel, a 3-minute walk.
Take a walk around the square as the lights come on, book dinner at one of the restaurants on its edges, then finish with a cocktail at the Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co., the speakeasy at the hotel's address (open until midnight Sunday to Thursday, 2 am on Friday and Saturday). For the rest of your stay, follow our 48-hour itinerary for a luxury getaway in Philadelphia.
Check-in tips at The Franklin on Rittenhouse
Check-in at The Franklin on Rittenhouse is at 4 pm, and check-out is at 11 am. The hotel is small, with 25 rooms and suites, so the team can usually help with personal requests when they are shared before you arrive.
- Booking: a valid credit card is required to hold the reservation; Advance Purchase rates are charged in full and are non-refundable.
- Cancellation: reservations can be cancelled without penalty up to 48 hours before 4 pm on the day of arrival.
- Breakfast: a continental breakfast is served each morning.
- Traveling with a dog: two guest rooms are dog-friendly; let the hotel know at least 48 hours before arrival.
- Early arrivals: if your flight or train lands before 4 pm, contact the hotel in advance at 215-546-9544 or reservations@thefranklinonrittenhouse.com to discuss your arrival time.
Choose your room on the rooms and suites page.
Key Facts
- Hotel: The Franklin on Rittenhouse, 1715 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103
- PHL to Center City by train: SEPTA Airport Line, about every 30 minutes, under 30 minutes to Center City
- PHL to Center City by taxi: $32 flat rate for one passenger
- New York to Philadelphia: about 1 hour 15 minutes on the fastest Acela trains
- 30th Street Station to the hotel: about a mile; short taxi ride or a 20-minute walk
- Check-in / check-out: 4 pm / 11 am
- Parking: no on-site parking; Latimer Garage at 1510 Latimer Street, $30 per 24 hours (cash only)
FAQ
How far is Philadelphia airport from Rittenhouse Square?
Philadelphia International Airport is about 7 miles from Center City, according to the airport. By SEPTA's Airport Line, Center City is less than 30 minutes away, and taxis charge a $32 flat rate for one passenger to the Center City zone, which includes The Franklin on Rittenhouse.
Is there a train from PHL to Center City?
Yes. SEPTA's Airport Line stops at every terminal at Philadelphia International Airport and runs to 30th Street, Suburban and Jefferson stations in Center City. Trains run about every 30 minutes from early morning to around midnight, and the journey takes less than 30 minutes.
How do you get from 30th Street Station to Rittenhouse Square?
Rittenhouse Square is about a mile east of 30th Street Station, across the Schuylkill River. A taxi takes a few minutes, or you can walk in about 20 minutes via the Walnut Street or Chestnut Street bridge. The Franklin on Rittenhouse is 0.2 miles from the square.
How long is the train from New York to Philadelphia?
On Amtrak's current timetable, the fastest Acela trains take about 1 hour 15 minutes from New York Penn Station to Philadelphia's 30th Street Station. Northeast Regional trains take a little longer and are usually less expensive. Both arrive about a mile from Rittenhouse Square.
Arrive in Philadelphia and settle straight into Rittenhouse Square. See our current hotel offers and book directly with The Franklin on Rittenhouse for the lowest rate guarantee.
