2026 was an exciting time for Philadelphia. The city hosted many major sporting events and celebrated America’s 250th birthday. As Philadelphia prepared to welcome visitors, SEPTA knew that many people would be riding with the system for the first time. SEPTA was proud to provide visitors with safe and reliable service to travel to games, events and festivities throughout the city. Similarly, SEPTA provided helpful information to everyday riders to help them easily navigate bus detours, modified service and crowded stations.
This guide offers information for traveling to Newtown Square, Center City, the stadiums in South Philadelphia and more.
March 20 & March 22
May 11 – May 17
June 14 – July 19
June 19 – July 4
July 10 – July 14
August 10 – August 16
Philadelphia International Airport Information
Many travelers arrive to Philadelphia from the Philadelphia International Airport. Platforms for SEPTA’s Airport Regional Rail Line and Bus Routes 37, 108 and 115 are accessible from all baggage claims. Trains to Center City run every 30 minutes from 5 am to midnight daily.
Review these video guides for step-by-step information to reach Center City using SEPTA from domestic or international flights. Note: Contactless tap to pay at the validator is the most convenient payment option. Please remember to tap on & tap off at the validators.
Arriving to Center City via William H. Gray III 30th St Station
Visitors arriving via Amtrak to William H. Gray III 30th St Station can easily transfer to SEPTA Regional Rail. The entrance to the boarding area for SEPTA trains is clearly marked with our logo 
and is located next to Gate 9, near the 30th Street exit. From this station, you’ll be able to board any of SEPTA’s Regional Rail lines.
Riding SEPTA
SEPTA offers three transit networks to meet different needs:
- Bus – There are over 100 bus routes that serve both Philadelphia and extend well into the surrounding areas. The bus costs $2.90 per trip.
- Metro – SEPTA’s Metro network provides frequent service around the clock for $2.90, transfers included. The Metro network is made up of subways and light rail (trolleys), and each line is designated with a letter (
, 
, 
, 
, 
, 
). Metro services are designated with a letter and number (
, 
, etc.) - Regional Rail
– SEPTA’s commuter rail service moves people between the City of Philadelphia and nearby suburbs, cities and the Philadelphia International Airport. Fares for Regional Rail vary based on trip details including the zone of your start and end stations, the day of the week, time of day and payment method. Check a schedule before you use Regional Rail.
If you’re coming from within the city to travel to the stadiums in South Philadelphia for the games, you’ll want to take the Broad Street Line to NRG Station, just a 10-minute walk from the sports complex; you can also take bus routes 4 or 17. For additional guidance on planning your trip, please see the sections below.
We encourage you to make sure your preferred navigation app is up to date so you can get the latest schedules, maps, alerts and real-time information (when available). To prepare for any trip on SEPTA use our Trip Planner, which can give you directions for travel on all of SEPTA’s modes from any starting point to end point. In addition, instructions for traveling with SEPTA services are included in the most popular navigation apps, like Apple Maps, Google Maps and Transit.
- Buses – Buses are identified by numbers. After pinpointing the nearest bus stop on the route you want, make your way there. Wait for the bus to arrive (the app will keep you aware of this). After the bus stops, first wait for any riders who are exiting. Next, board the bus through the front doors and pay using the validator, which will be right in front. Pay attention to where you are while riding; you’ll need to request a stop when you want to get off. To do this, pull the yellow cords which hang around the edges of the bus. The bus will then let you off at the next stop. When possible, exit through the back doors.
- Metro – Metro services are identified by letters: , , , , and . Arrive at the station and head to the correct platform. Pay at the turnstile and then wait at the platform; always stay behind the yellow safety line. When the train arrives, wait for exiting people to get off before boarding.
- , , and require you to request a stop when you want to exit.
- The and lines are subway services; their stops are fixed, so you only need to listen for the one where you want to exit.
- Regional Rail – Arrive at the station and head to the correct track. Depending on the station, either tap at the validator or pay at the turnstile. Wait for the train at the platform; always stay behind the yellow safety line. When the train arrives, wait for exiting people to get off before boarding. While on the train, a conductor will come around to ask for fares. If you have already paid, simply present the same method you used for confirmation. If you haven’t paid, present whatever method you want to use, including cash. While on the train, listen to the overhead announcements to hear what station is coming up next so you know when it’s time to get off. Always tap off at your destination, either through turnstiles at Center City stations or at the platform validators, to avoid paying the maximum fare.
Additional Information
Bus
- Note that some bus stops have shelters, others have benches and some are only identified by a sign. Many stops serve more than one bus route, so check the number on the lighted sign on the exterior of the bus to ensure it’s the right one.
- It’s important to be aware of your location so you can make sure to request a stop when you need it. Pay attention to street signs; you may also want to consider tracking your location on a navigation app.
Metro
- The Market-Frankford Line goes east and west. It’s also known as the L and is associated with the color blue. Eastbound trips head toward Frankford Transit Center. Westbound trips head toward 69th Street Transit Center.
- The Broad Street Line goes north and south. It’s also known as the B and is associated with the color orange. Northbound trips head toward Fern Rock Transit Center. Southbound trips head toward NRG Station.
Regional Rail
- Any Regional Rail line can take you into Center City – this is called traveling inbound. Going out of the city is called outbound travel. To get to downtown Philadelphia, you’ll want to exit at Suburban Station or Jefferson Station, which are right in the heart of the city. Another prominent location is William H. Gray III 30th St Station, a transportation hub also utilized by Amtrak for travel to places across the country.
SEPTA works with many nearby public transportation services to extend the reach of our network and help you travel. These services either connect with or are next to SEPTA stations.
Amtrak: Serving points nationwide from William H. Gray III 30th St Station, North Philadelphia Station, Ardmore Station, Paoli Station, Trenton Transit Center and Wilmington Station. Amtrak and SEPTA also connect at Downingtown and Exton on the Paoli/Thorndale Line and at Cornwell’s Heights on the Trenton Line. Visitors are encouraged to refer to the Northeast U.S. Rail Guide for Summer 2026 to understand train travel for the summer’s major sporting events.
Greyhound: Greyhound bus routes run between Philadelphia and many major cities along the East Coast and beyond. There are multiple Greyhound bus stops in Philadelphia, check their website for specific locations and details.
NJ Transit: Serving points all around New Jersey from Jefferson Station, William H. Gray III 30th St Station and Trenton Transit Center.
PATCO: Providing high-speed rail service to multiple points in Camden County from Camden to Lindenwold. PATCO has multiple stops in Center City, including 8th-Market St Station, located near SEPTA’s Jefferson Station.
Find more detailed information on connecting services.
The following downloadable Walk Philadelphia maps provide visitors a guide to Philadelphia attractions and how to get around during the summer events. The maps are available in a multitude of languages:
Fare Information
Ways to Pay
Credit, debit or mobile payments are accepted on all SEPTA networks (Bus, Metro and Regional Rail) at any turnstile or farebox with a simple tap on the validator. Learn More & FAQ.
SEPTA accepts cash for travel on all networks, exact fare is required on bus & Metro.
Quick Trips only valid same day of purchase. Single rider only, no transfers.
Learn More.
Multi-rider for contactless payments is available on all modes. Easily tap your credit/debit card or mobile wallet at a validator to pay the fares for up to five riders.
SEPTA accepts several other payment options including convenient daily or weekly passes, as well as SEPTA Key cards. Learn more about all the ways to pay to ride SEPTA and types of passes.
How Payments Are Collected
SEPTA uses two devices to accept payments: standalone validators and turnstiles.
- Buses use validators only.
- The trolleys, the and Regional Rail use a combination of validators and turnstiles, depending on the station.
- The and
use turnstiles only.
- The bus – When you are boarding the bus, there will be a validator located right in front of the driver. Just tap your payment method on it, and your ride on that bus is paid for.
- The Trolleys and the Norristown High Speed Line – If there are turnstiles at the station, tap your payment on the screen. After it is accepted, you will be able to move through the turnstile and access the trolley platform. Your ride is then paid for. If you are boarding from an on-street stop, tap the validator when you board the vehicle.
- Rapid Transit – If there are turnstiles at the station, tap your payment on the screen. After it is accepted, you will be able to move through the turnstile and access the platform. Your ride is then paid for.
- Regional Rail – Tap your payment on the turnstile screen and then access the platform. You must also tap your payment method at the turnstile or validator before exiting the station at the end of your ride. This closes your trip and ensures you aren’t charged more than you should be.
- If there are no turnstiles, then locate the validator on the platform. Tap your payment there to begin your trip. Once onboard the train, the conductor will walk through each car and collect fares from passengers individually. Simply present the same payment method you used on the platform validator. You must tap your payment method at the turnstile or validator before exiting the station at the end of your ride. This closes your trip and ensures you aren’t charged more than you should be.
- Parking – All SEPTA lots and garages charge for daily-use parking—this includes nights and weekends. Payment must be made using the SEPTA Park app, via text or at the kiosks. To avoid violations, please be sure you’ve paid for enough time. SEPTA allows overnight parking at most Regional Rail stations, stations, and at Fern Rock TC and 69th St TC parking lots.
