Mid-Atlantic - 5 hrs at PHL, 1am-6am.

Any suggestions? I was thinking of just trying to get a cheap room somewhere close or does anyone know if there are any lounge chairs at the airport? The AC doesnt open up until 5am. I guess I could go into the city, it would be a wed night/thurs am. I think the Septa doesnt go out past 1209am?

I did look at the 8 hrs in PHL thread and the other 2 that might relate, but none for the wee hours of the night. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I land at 1am and take off at 6am. AA flights.

I think you'll get kicked out of the terminal areas so sleeping there is out. There are plenty of homeless cuddled up with their stuff land-side, though. I've also seen other travelers sleeping outside security...you definitely wouldn't be alone.

Hotel-wise, I think the only good option you have is the Marriott since you can walk to it (ie: don't have to take a shuttle). By the time you did the shuttles back and forth, you would have very little time to sleep. (Heck, it might be cheaper to rent a car and idle in the cell-phone lot for a couple of hours to keep warm ;))

Going into town via Septa rail is out as you've already noted.

Go get a cheesesteak at Pat's in South Philly. It's open 24/7.

Go get a cheesesteak at Pat's in South Philly. It's open 24/7.At potentially $50 in cab rides...that could be one expensive cheesesteak. :p

There is a Dennys across from the Ramada in Essington. 47 INDUSTRIAL HWY. ESSINGTON,PA 19029 US 610-521-1077. I think they are open 24 hours a day.

It's too far to walk but maybe you could jump on the Ramada shuttle and kill an hour there with a Grand Slam and USA Today.

At potentially $50 in cab rides...that could be one expensive cheesesteak. :pThere are no subways or buses? What a perfect way to use up the time by heading out there to get something typically Philly.

I consider about 75% of Philly practically a war zone between 0100-0600 and would never venture there with a suitcase and no idea of the local neighborhood ethnic makeup or whatever. In fact I avoid many areas in the daytime even in my car (and for good reason). Do a priceline for a cheap room or hang out in the airport outside security between the TSA checkpoints and the escalators along with the dozens of almost/mostly permanent residents there. You could also take a taxi to the casino in Chester. Good luck.

MisterNice

I consider about 75% of Philly practically a war zone between 0100-0600 and would never venture there with a suitcase and no idea of the local neighborhood ethnic makeup or whatever. In fact I avoid many areas in the daytime even in my car (and for good reason). Do a priceline for a cheap room or hang out in the airport outside security between the TSA checkpoints and the escalators along with the dozens of almost/mostly permanent residents there. You could also take a taxi to the casino in Chester. Good luck.

MisterNice

+1 for that.

There are no subways or buses? What a perfect way to use up the time by heading out there to get something typically Philly.Oh sure...there is a bus and that would certainly eat up time as it would be about an hour each way. And that wouldn't be too bad an option during daylight. But like MisterNice says...

These folks didn't find the sleeping arrangements very comfortable: www.sleepinginairports.com

But they now have these wooden rocking chairs outside the main food court area. I think between terminal B & C. I've seen more than a few people zonked-out on those chairs. But that was during the day or early evening. Not sure how they'd treat you at night.

I consider about 75% of Philly practically a war zone between 0100-0600 and would never venture there with a suitcase and no idea of the local neighborhood ethnic makeup or whatever.Advice from a local should be heeded. ^ So save Pat's for another time.

[QUOTE=MisterNice;11705601]I consider about 75% of Philly practically a war zone between 0100-0600 and would never venture there with a suitcase and no idea of the local neighborhood ethnic makeup or whatever. In fact I avoid many areas in the daytime even in my car (and for good reason).
/QUOTE]

That's an exaggeration. Yes, there are very bad areas of the city that I wouldn't go to even in the daytime, but to say that 75% is a war zone? It is not as bad as it's depicted on the 6 PM local news. If the OP were to take a taxi to Pat's at 1 AM, have a chessesteak and then return to the airport, they'd be perfectly safe. The really dangerous areas of the city aren't regions that anyone would have any reason to venture into. Center City and South Philly east of Broad Street are just fine.

Although the train is not running, some of the buses such as the 108 bus run at that time. However, I don't believe any go to center city.