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 Chinatown, Rittenhouse 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

Wintergarden

Dilworth Park

This open-air wonderland brings a festive touch of greenery, featuring holiday lights, reindeer topiaries, rustic woodland décor and an on-site Chaddsford Winery kiosk selling warm mulled wine. Open now thru 3/17. Get here on SEPTA! Hop the Market-Frankford Line or Trolley Routes 10, 11, 13, 34 & 36 to 15th Street, the Broad Street Line to City Hall, Bus Routes 2, 17, 33, 38, 44, 48, 124 or 125 or Regional Rail to Suburban Station.

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Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market

Dilworth Park

Shop local and support more than 40 small businesses selling handmade crafts, jewelry, artwork, treats and so much more - open from 11/10 thru 1/1. So easy to get here on SEPTA. Hop the Market-Frankford Line or Trolley Routes 10, 11, 13, 34 & 36 to 15th Street, the Broad Street Line to City Hall, Bus Routes 2, 17, 33, 38, 44, 48, 124 or 125 or Regional Rail to Suburban Station.

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Macy’s Christmas Light Show

Macy's Center City

The Grand Court in the National Historic Landmark Wanamaker Building has hosted the brilliant Christmas Light Show since 1956. Macy’s keeps the free holiday tradition going this year with thousands of twinkling lights (accompanied by tunes from the famed Wanamaker Organ), animated holiday windows and the fully immersive Dickens Village, which captures scenes from the age-old tale A Christmas Carol. Free light show performances occur daily and advanced registration is required for Dickens Village. Take the Market-Frankford Line to 13th, the Broad Street Line to City Hall, Regional Rail to Jefferson, Trolley Routes to 13th, or Bus Routes 17, 23, 33, 28, 44, 45, 47, 61, 78, 124, or 125.

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Christmas Village

Love Park

Visit Philly’s most beloved holiday attraction as gorgeous LOVE Park transforms into an open-air European marketplace during the annual Christmas Village in Philadelphia. Over 100 vendors set up shop in wooden stalls offering local and international gifts, ornaments, accessories, and wintry apparel. After shopping up an appetite, indulge in tasty treats like raclette sandwiches, spiced wine, apple cider, strudels and more. Across the street on the north apron of City Hall and in the courtyard, a double-decker Christmas Village carousel, Ferris wheel and the kids train where you can enjoy $1 off and a hot cocoa if you show your SEPTA Key Card M-F. As a special treat for SEPTA seniors enjoy a cup of hot cocoa during the shopping experience during the week when you flash your Senior Fare Card at the welcome center booth. Stay a bit longer and visit the Festival of Trees located in LOVE Park Welcome Center where you can view over 17 custom-decorated trees from local Philadelphia companies! Hop the Market-Frankford Line or Trolley Routes 10, 11, 13, 34 & 36 to 15th Street, the Broad Street Line to City Hall, Bus Routes 2, 17, 33, 38, 44, 48, 124 or 125 or Regional Rail to Suburban Station.

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George Balanchine's The Nutcracker

Academy of Music

See The Nutcracker at the Academy of Music from 12/9 thru 12/30! 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.

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Company

The Forrest Theatre

The Forrest Theatre stage welcomes Company 11/28 thru 12/10. Get there on SEPTA. Take the Market-Frankford Line to 11th Street or hop Routes 42, 21, or 12.

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The No Name POPS: A Very Philly Christmas

Kimmel Center

Several Philadelphia choirs join musicians from The No Name Pops for a very festive (and very Philly) Christmas concert. Expect an upbeat program of holiday classics and pop favorites. Conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañe leads the instrumental action, which is complemented by Broadway singers and dancers. Shows from 12/1 thru 12/23. Hop Routes 4, 12, 27, 32 or the Broad Street Line to Walnut-Locust.