On Thursday November 12th I'm on United 487, departing PHL at 12:49pm bound for ORD.
How long should I allow for a cab ride from my hotel to the airport? Google suggests 20 minutes:
The Westin Philadelphia
99 South 17th Street at Liberty Place
Philadelphia
I have no status and no checked bags, and I'm planning on checking in online the day before.
Thanks in advance.
How long should I allow for a cab ride from my hotel to the airport? Google suggests 20 minutes:
The Westin Philadelphia
99 South 17th Street at Liberty Place
Philadelphia
I have no status and no checked bags, and I'm planning on checking in online the day before.
Thanks in advance.
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20 minutes sounds about right. Be aware that SEPTA is currently on strike and that getting a cab could be difficult. (But who knows when this gets resolved. The Regional lines are currently not on strike.)Originally Posted by gglave
How long should I allow for a cab ride from my hotel to the airport? Google suggests 20 minutes:
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Certainly good advice...and much cheaper than a cab. Originally Posted by craz
No bags , why not take the SEPTA train?
SEPTA R1 (R1 is the airport line)
Suburban Station, the nearest Septa station, is a about a two minute walk from the Westin. The R1 train leaves suburban station every 30 minutes at the hour and half hour, the trip takes about 20 - 25 minutes. If you buy a one way ticket from the ticket agent the cost will be $6.00 or on board cash fare is $7.00.
If you had a lot of luggage I would say take a cab, but since you don't, the train is a good way to go. If you do take a cab, I agree with google; 20 minutes is about how long it should take.
If you had a lot of luggage I would say take a cab, but since you don't, the train is a good way to go. If you do take a cab, I agree with google; 20 minutes is about how long it should take.
SEPTA is on strike. Given historical precedent, they may well still be on strike on the day you are traveling. This affects all public transit except Regional Rail, but everyone who can possibly do so is switching to Regional Rail for their commute. Driving is hell and now Regional Rail is apparently hell also, because it is so overburdened. In normal times the R1 would be the best way to go, and you could feel safe leaving your hotel to catch the R1 that leaves Suburban Station at 11:30. But if the strike is still on you may want to think very hard about that. Ask the hotel staff for advice.
See this article from the Philly Inquirer for more color on the story.
See this article from the Philly Inquirer for more color on the story.
Keep in mind the OP's trip is more than a week away. The strike could easily be over by then.
Even so, a train in the middle of the day is not likely to be crowded with commuters seeking an alternative to buses and subways. It's probably a safe bet.
Even so, a train in the middle of the day is not likely to be crowded with commuters seeking an alternative to buses and subways. It's probably a safe bet.
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The 2005 SEPTA strike lasted seven days. The 1998 transit strike lasted for 40 days. Originally Posted by fairviewroad
Keep in mind the OP's trip is more than a week away. The strike could easily be over by then.
Keep an eye on the newspaper!!Quote:
On one hand, the OP is going to the airport and I don't think that the R1 would be crowded late in the morning. On the other hand, Market East, Suburban Station and 30th Street handle more than just the R1 (obviously). So there are going to be crowded conditions. Originally Posted by fairviewroad
Even so, a train in the middle of the day is not likely to be crowded with commuters seeking an alternative to buses and subways. It's probably a safe bet.
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My first option would still be the train and get to the station early. My second option would be a cab (and be aware that the city is letting cabbies wait for additional fares to share a ride). Heck, if the OP has any reason to be in University City the morning of his departure, it would make sense just to pick up the R1 there.Originally Posted by philly.com
7. Be prepared to line up for access to your train in Center City. Access to the platforms will be limited both for safety purposes and for fare control. Wear comfortable shoes and bring something to read while you wait.
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Keep an eye on the newspaper!!
True enough. I was living in West Philly in 1995 when SEPTA went on strike for 2 weeks. IME experience the chaotic aspects largely went away after the first couple of days...people work out carpools, etc. The first few days I schlepped down to the 49th Street station on the R3 line before finding someone to share a ride with.Originally Posted by travelmad478
The 2005 SEPTA strike lasted seven days. The 1998 transit strike lasted for 40 days. Keep an eye on the newspaper!!
I go through suburban station (the one closest to the Westin) every day, and during the strike it is only really crowded during the evening rush hour, and that is only because Septa management, in their infinite wisdom, is making people line up and wait on the concourse level for their train rather than going down to the platform, so that the concourse is a complete zoo but the platforms are deserted until a train arrives.
If the strike is still on when the OP is in Philly, keep in mind that the 20 minute travel time estimate for a cab to PHL no longer applies. I would allow at least an hour.
If the strike is still on when the OP is in Philly, keep in mind that the 20 minute travel time estimate for a cab to PHL no longer applies. I would allow at least an hour.
You're in luck, gglave! The SEPTA strike is over, as of today. Have fun at the Liberty Bell!
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Thanks! Learned that from my seatmate tonight... Good news all around, both for locals and tourists, I'm sure...Originally Posted by travelmad478
You're in luck, gglave! The SEPTA strike is over, as of today. Have fun at the Liberty Bell!
(From what I saw out the dark window of my cab looks like a nice town - Love that crazy electric billboard on the top of one of your skyscrapers. They'd never allow that in my town...)
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That's the PECO (Philadelphia Electric Company) building. They recently upgraded it to LED lights.Originally Posted by gglave
(From what I saw out the dark window of my cab looks like a nice town - Love that crazy electric billboard on the top of one of your skyscrapers. They'd never allow that in my town...)
Enjoy Philly.