USA Guide
The Mid-Atlantic
Arrival
Philadelphia's International Airport ( 
215/937-6800, 
www.phl.org ) is seven miles southwest of the city off I-95. Taxis into town cost around $30 (try Yellow Cab; 215/829-4222), and the South East Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) runs trains from the airport every thirty minutes (4.30am–11.30pm; $6) to five downtown destinations: Eastwick Station, University City, 30th Street near the university, Suburban Station near City Hall, and Market East, adjacent to the Greyhound terminal at 11th and Filbert streets. The very grand 30th Street Amtrak station, one of the busiest in the US, is just across the Schuylkill River in the university area (free transfer downtown on SEPTA). SEPTA connects to NJ Transit, and between the two commuter rail systems you can travel to the Jersey shore, Princeton, suburban Pennsylvania, and New York City for a fraction of the price of Amtrak.
The excellent Independence Visitor Center, at 6th and Market streets (daily: late June to Aug 8.30am–5pm; rest of year 8.30am–7pm; 215/965-7676 or 1-800/537-7676; www.independencevisitorcenter.com ), contains a staggering wealth of information, and should be the first stop on any downtown or Independence National Historic Park itinerary.