Philadelphia International Airport Guide
Contact information and flight status
- phl.org; 215-937-6937 (24 hours)
- Terminal maps
- Current departures
- Current arrivals
Checkpoint savvy
Busiest times: Monday mornings; Thursday, Friday, Sunday early morning and afternoon/early evenings at checkpoints in Terminals B, C, and D/E. Terminal A-East checkpoint is often busy in the afternoons.
Workarounds: There is a post-security shuttle available to/from Terminal F at Gates F-10, C-16 and A-1.
Depending on your airline and your status with TSA, expedited TSA PreCheck lanes may be available.
Parking
Parking information: 215-683-9842
Most convenient: Short-term parking (ground level at baggage claim), $40/day. Garage parking, $20/day.
Least expensive: Economy lot, $11/day. Shuttle to terminal.
Cellphone waiting lot: A 150-space on-airport lot with flight information display boards is a minute from baggage claim areas. Enter airport on "Arriving Flights" roadway and follow signs to the Cell Phone Waiting Lot.
Transportation to/from city
Most convenient: Taxi fare is $28.50 (flat rate) to Central Philadelphia Area. Travel time: 15 minutes. Shared van to Central Philadelphia Area, $10 -$15.
Least expensive: SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) Airport Regional Rail Line stops at 30th St. Station, Suburban Station and Jefferson Stations. Fare: $8 + $1 for destinations beyond Center City. Travel time: 25 minutes. SEPTA Bus Routes 37, 108 and 115, $2.25 + $1 for transfer.
Ground transportation hotline: 215-937-6958.
Wi-Fi and charging stations
Wi-Fi is free throughout the airport.
More than 850 charging stations are available throughout the airport.
Go local
Good choice for local gifts: Explore Philadelphia (Terminal A-East), Philadelphia America! (B/C Connector) and Pennsylvania Market (Terminal E) carry food items and souvenirs from the Philadelphia region. See more options.
Good choice for local food: Terminal A-East: Jack Duggan's Pub (Irish pub). Terminal A-West: Chickie's & Pete's (sports bar and restaurant known for crab fries, also in Terminals C, D, and E). Terminal B: Le Bus Café, Legal Sea Foods. Terminal C: Aldo Lamberti Trattoria, Sky Asian Bistro. Terminal D: Green Leaf's Beyond Great Salads. Terminal E: Chickie's & Pete's. Terminal F: Local Tavern and Re:Vive. Philadelphia pretzels (various locations). See more options.
Tips and tidbits
PHL has an extensive arts and exhibition program. A branch of Minute Suites (short-stay work/nap rooms) is located in Terminal A-East and offers 30-minute complimentary stays for nursing mothers. Water bottle-filling stations are located throughout the terminal. There are play areas for children in Terminal A and a Virtual Library in Terminal D with more than 27,000 free e-books for download. The airport has a USO lounge in Terminal A-East. There are animal relief areas inside each terminal and seven outdoor pet-relief areas. Bicycle parking is offered outside five terminals.
Nearby layover option
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, with an environmental education center and 10 miles of trails, is about 2 miles from PHL.
Your tips and picks
Please share your time- and money-saving tips, favorite restaurants, bars and stores in comments below.
These guides are written by Harriet Baskas, who is the author of six books, including the airport guidebook Stuck at the Airport and a blog of the same name.