How to visit Philadelphia on a budget

27.09.2023 - 18:57 / lonelyplanet.com

One of the reasons Philadelphia is sometimes referred to as New York City’s sixth borough is the influx of former New Yorkers seeking more affordable and manageable lives in Philly.

This migration only accelerated during the pandemic. Housing costs in Philly, while rising, still compare very favorably with other East Coast metropolises, and relatively affordable living expenses translate into making this a budget-friendly destination for travelers.

A good chunk of your expenses should be earmarked for Philadelphia's excellent museums, but there are some ways of reducing those costs, and wandering the city’s beautiful historic neighborhoods won’t cost you a dime. The thriving restaurant scene caters to all budgets and there’s little need for a vehicle of your own to get around.

Only 14 miles from Center City, Philadelphia’s International Airport couldn’t be more convenient. However, the number of routes serviced has diminished and flights can involve an extra connection and may be expensive.

Flying in and out of Newark International Airport, 80 miles to the north in New Jersey, can be a more affordable option, especially for international flights. Of course, it's important to factor in the cost of onward travel to Philly (rental car, Uber, or NJ Transit) to ensure the savings are worth the effort.

Philly has good train connections and it's worth checking well in advance of your trip to see if there are any bargain tickets available. Amtrak and SEPTA’s New Jersey transit trains use Philadelphia’s grand, historic 30th St Station in West Philly. Several bus routes stop by the station and taxis and ride-calling apps are generally affordable.

You can’t beat the value of the hop-on-hop-off Philly Phlash Bus Loop from the Zoo to Reading Terminal Market to Olde City to Easy State Penitentiary ($5 for a 1-day pass; $9 for a 2-day pass). Indego, Philadelphia’s bike-sharing program, is also great for traversing the city’s flat streets on a budget.

If you’re exploring beyond the compact city center, buy a SEPTA travel card (known as "the SEPTA key"), good for buses or the subway ($2 per ride, $2.50 without a key card). Buses are especially easy and convenient, but take the schedules with a grain of salt. The subway has only two lines and is good for traveling longer distances along its north-south and east-west axes but can be sketchy at night.

The city’s two major, world-class art institutions, the Barnes Foundation and the Philadelphia Museum of Art are free on the first Sunday of every month; the latter also offers pay-what-you-wish on Friday evenings.

The garden of the Rodin Museum is free and a lovely place to rest and break up a walk along Benjamin Franklin Parkway (there are a few small galleries inside that are