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Philadelphia Travel Guide

There is so much to do and see when your flight to Philadelphia lands, that it’s hard to know where to go first. For most visitors on trips to Philadelphia, it’s best to start at the beginning. After all, this is where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were written and signed, thus signaling the beginning of American freedom and civil liberties.

Today, travelers on Philadelphia flights gear up for a whirlwind history lesson. Sure, there’s the Liberty Bell, the signing of the Constitution and Independence Place, but if you look closely you’ll find that history runs deep within the Philadelphia limits. Pay close attention to Philadelphia hotels – look closely and you’ll see a combination of old Philadelphia combined with the new world. Philadelphia is packed full of cobblestone streets, grand halls and historic homes, but there’s a lot more to do and see that doesn’t include our forefathers.

Movie lovers booking flights to Philadelphia can run up the stairs of the Capitol building – a la Sylvester Stallone in Rocky – and then stand in line for cheese steak at one of the city’s famous stands. Sports lovers book trips to Philadelphia to cheer on the Eagles, the Phillies, the Flyers and the 76ers.

No matter what the reason is for booking Philadelphia flights and accommodations, you’ll leave the city with a renewed sense of passion for American history.

Getting to and around Philadelphia

The main airport for travelers taking flights to Philadelphia is Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). There is a shuttle available from the airport and transfer time is about 30 minutes. Car rental companies operate at the airport as well as limousine service.

A quick and easy way to get between your downtown hotel and the Center City is hopping aboard the Phlash, Philadelphia’s gas-engine trolley. It’s a convenient way to get to Independence Visitor Center, Penn’s Landing and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The trolley runs every day and can be boarded every 12 minutes at very affordable rates. It also provides direct connections to rail lines.

Tips for your stay in Philadelphia

• National Park Service rangers invite you to the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site which commemorates Poe’s mysterious death on October 7, 1849. A series of special programs leading up to Halloween explore the famous author’s themes of madness, revenge, premature burial and death.
• Located across from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall in Independence National Historical Park, the Independence Visitor Center provides a free orientation to the culture, history, shopping and dining throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.
• Plan a visit to the National Constitution Center where you can explore the Interactive Constitution, a clause-by-clause explanation of the Constitution, providing easy access to basic constitutional facts and interpretation, and searchable by key words and Supreme Court cases.
• Be sure to visit the Philadelphia Stock Exchange (PHLX) which is the oldest stock exchange in the United States. The Exchange currently handles trades for approximately 2000 stocks, 1700 equity options, 25 index options, and a number of currency options.
• Celebrating more than 100 years of Gilbert and Sullivan and located in Philadelphia, The Savoy Company is the oldest amateur theater company in the world dedicated solely to the production of the works of Gilbert and Sullivan.

Finding Flights from Philadelphia

If you want to make Philadelphia just part of your trip to the Northeast, Cheapflights can help you find the connecting flights you need to get to Boston, New York, or beyond. Many of the major domestic airlines, including Delta, United, and American Airlines, fly in and out of Philadelphia International Airport. Fly from Philly to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls with Air Canada, or fly across the pond to the U.K. on British Airways.

Philadelphia International Airport tends to be busiest on Monday mornings, and you may also experience long lines during the early morning and early afternoon times on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Be sure to allow for extra time if you’ll be flying during those busy periods. Shuttle services are available to transport you between terminals once you get through security. The airport offers ample parking, and you can also take advantage of the SEPTA public transportation system if you prefer to take the train. Hotels in the area also offer shuttle service to the airport for added convenience.

Philadelphia, PA airport overview

Philadelphia International Airport is the largest airport in Pennsylvania and an international hub for US Airways. It’s also the main gateway to Philadelphia and Pennsylvania generally.

Philadelphia itself, affectionately known as Philly, is often referred to as “the Birthplace of America”. With a rich and varied history, it’s the fifth-largest city in the US, and has a metropolitan area spanning 12 counties. As a result the atmosphere, architecture and demographic varies quite widely depending on which area you travel to, from up-market art and design centers and historic quarters to working-class areas and quiet, leafy suburbs.

The airport is one of the busiest in the world. It has seven terminals, two of which are international terminals, and more than 160 shops and eateries. The immigration counters are notorious for being understaffed and poorly organized and long queues are common, so if you’re catching a connecting flight, make sure you arrive well in advance.