Top of Page
Menu
Search the Site

Destination

Center City

Center City is Philadelphia's busiest and most densely packed cultural, historical and entertaining neighborhoods. Geographically located east/west from the Delaware River to the Schuylkill River, and north/south from Spring Garden Street to South Street — features Philly’s premier downtown area as well as an ever-expanding skyline.

It’s also home to the city’s most historic neighborhoods — including Old City and Society Hill — as well as many tourist attractions, on Independence Mall and elsewhere.

As a primary destination for travelers, Center City boasts a majority of the biggest and toniest hotels in the region, and more restaurants, bars and cafes than any other part of the city. Sparkling nightlife and dining options under the Center City umbrella include ChinatownRittenhouse Square and Old City.

At its nexis point, where Broad Street crosses Market Street, resides Philly’s historic and beautiful City Hall, with its 37-foot-tall statue of William Penn presiding 548 feet over the city proper. Penn was the tallest point in the city up until the building of One Liberty Place in 1986.

How to get there

Serviced by a number of different lines and buses, it's so easy to get to Center City on SEPTA. Take the Market-Frankford Line to 8th, 11th, 13th, or 15th Street, the Broad Street Line to Race-Vine, City Hall, or Walnut-Locust, Regional Rail to Jefferson or Suburban, Trolley Routes 10, 11, 13, 34, or 36 to 13th, 15th, or 19th Street, or Bus Routes 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12, 16, 17, 21, 23, 27, 31, 32, 33, 38, 42, 44, 45, 47, 47M, 48, 49, 61, 62, 124, or 125.

Plan your trip here.

Fare

There are many ways to get here on SEPTA, there are also many ways to pay. Click here to learn which fare is best for you.

Connecting Services

It's easy to go from Philadelphia International Airport to Center City via SEPTA's Airport Line. Airport Line service runs seven days a week, between 5:00 a.m. and 12 midnight. Stops on the Airport Line include:

Terminal E + Terminal F

The end point of all Airport Line trains. Terminal F is a short, indoor walk from the station platform.E Airlines: JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Spirit AirlinesF Airlines: American Eagle (formerly US Airways Express)

Terminal C + Terminal D

Visit Terminal D featuring a renovated shopping plaza of modern retailers.Airlines: American Airlines, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection, United Airlines

Terminal B

The Marriot Hotel is a short walk from the station platform.Airlines: American Airlines Domestic Service

Terminal A (East and West Gates)

The station platform connects to the east portion of the terminal. Access to west gates may require customers to walk outside.East Gate: Aer Lingus, American Airlines, American Airlines including all flights to Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW) and Miami (MIA)West Gate: Icelandair, British Airways, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, American Airlines International & Caribbean service

Eastwick

Nearby to SEPTA bus routes, PNC Operations Center, and more Airport hotels.

Penn Medicine Station

Walking distance to University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, University of the Sciences, CHOP, shopping and restaurants.

William H. Gray III 30th Street Station

Convenient connections to Amtrak and NJ Transit rail services; BoltBus and MegaBus services. Nearby other SEPTA transit services including the Market-Frankford Line, Trolley lines and Center City destined bus routes.

Suburban Station

Located in the heart of Center City Philadelphia, nearby to a number of major corporations, the Art Museum area and Ben Franklin Parkway. Major transfer point for other SEPTA Regional Rail services.

Jefferson Station

Underneath the famous Reading Terminal Market and adjacent to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Convenient connections to Greyhound and NJ Transit bus services at 10th & Filbert Station. Steps away from major downtown hotels.

Temple University

The main campus of the famed Philadelphia institution, near the corner of Broad & Cecil B. Moore.

 

Upcoming Local Happenings

Frozen

Academy of Music

See Frozen at the Academy of Music from 3/21 thru 4/7! Get there on SEPTA. Take Regional Rail to Suburban Station, the Broad Street Line to Walnut-Locust, the Market-Frankford Line to 15th Street, or Routes 4, 9, 12, 21, 27, 32 or 42. 

Plan Your Trip


Pancakes & Booze Art Show 2024

Underground Arts

This anything-goes celebration of brews, batter and brushstrokes reimagines everything you know about art shows. Support national, local and emerging artists while you chow down on free (!) pancakes and indulge in a variety of pay-as-you-go sips. The traveling art show runs until midnight, with the bar open later, and tickets are required. Note: Capacity is limited and entry is first come, first served. (Translation: get there early.) Get there on SEPTA! IT's a short walk from Race-Vine Station!

Plan Your Trip


Nearby Perks
Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink
$1 OFF ADMISSION

SEPTA Key cardholders receive $1 off ice skating admission at the Rothman...

View details
The SEPTA Store
10% Off Entire Purchase

Delight in unique transit-related products including clothing and gifts...

View details
Zio's Pizza
10% OFF ORDER

Enjoy 10% off your entire order at Zio's Pizza on 13th Street in Midtown...

View details
The Original Turkey
10% Off Purchase

Flash your valid SEPTA Key card to receive 10% off your purchase at The...

View details
Federal Donuts
12 OZ COFFEE FOR $1 EVERY TUESDAY

For most of recorded history, fried chicken and donuts was the combination...

View details
Shibe Sports
15% Off Entire Purchase

Located in Midtown Village, West Chester, and Wayne PA - Shibe Vintage...

View details
Hatch & Coop
10% OFF ORDER

Hatch & Coop believes that food can be fast, well crafted, and served at an...

View details
Scoop DeVille
10% OFF ORDER

Scoop DeVille [in Midtown Village and on South Street] is a Philadelphia...

View details
Federal Donuts
12 OZ COFFEE FOR $1 EVERY TUESDAY

For most of recorded history, fried chicken and donuts was the combination...

View details
Blue Sole Shoes
10% OFF FULL PRICED MERCHANDISE

Blue Sole Shoes in Center City Philadelphia offers a wide variety of shoes...

View details
Wilma Theatre
$3 OFF TICKETS

Present your Valid SEPTA Key card at The Wilma Theater for $3 off Full...

View details
Matt & Marie's Sandwich Shop
SEPTA Lunch Special

Use your valid SEPTA Key card to receive the SEPTA Special at Matt &...

View details
The Philadelphia Orchestra & Ensemble Arts
UP TO $10 OFF SELECT PERFORMANCES

Get up to $10 off tickets to select performances from The Philadelphia...

View details
Federal Donuts
12 OZ COFFEE FOR $1 EVERY TUESDAY

For most of recorded history, fried chicken and donuts was the combination...

View details
Academy of Natural Sciences
$4 Off General Admission

At the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University - come face-to-face...

View details