5 hour lay over in Philadelphia-what to do?

You could catch the train into Phila, but I don't think it would be worthwhile going to/from and back thru security.

Grab lunch at TGIF, have a couple of beers, and read a good book would be my recommendation.

Budman's right - security lines can be long in PHL. There is a train into center city, but I think you'd spend just as much time commuting back and forth than you would actually doing anything.

I'll play devil's advocate. Yes, there's enough time if you have five hours. At most on the train the commute between the airport and center city is 1/2 hour each way. Give yourself another 15 minutes each way for waiting for the train and you've only burned 1.5 hours. Let's say you want to be back at the Airport an hour before your flight, that's 2.5 hours that you've burned up, leaving you 2.5 hours. I would go and have a sumptuous lunch at either Lacroix at the Rittenhouse hotel on Rittenhouse Square or Le Bec Fin just down from Rittenhouse Square on Walnut Street.

If you're not into the foodie thing, go to the Philadelphia Art Museum and spend 2 hours walking around or go to the National Constitution Center.

I've been to Le Bec Fin, and it is NOT a place you just show up at after riding on an airplane, with concerns about making a flight in a few hours, and have a meal. It's a place you call three months in advance and ask "Do you have any open tables on this date?" Even if you could get a table, you don't go there for a meal while you watch the time to ensure you don't miss your flight; that would defeat the whole experience. And finally, you can probably get five-star service at a restaurant in your home town, and enjoy it in the way it was meant to be enjoyed. Same thing with the Art Museum; art collections are best enjoyed when you AREN'T checking your watch every five minutes.

*IF* you enjoy the thrill of zipping into a city and then zipping back to the airport, by far the most unique thing I can recommend is to see Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Do NOT attempt to take the tour of the place; the time will be too tight. When done there, just wander about the historic area until you think you need to return. You will find a lot of interesting places in just an hour or so.

I emphasize that even this limited visit carries some risk, because (as noted previously) security lines at PHL can be as long as two hours. My recommendation for most people is to stay at the airport, eat a cheese steak and a soft pretzel, and read a book.

I think you should plan to just zip into the city to stroll around Reading Terminal Market, stroll around and grab a bite to eat. You will have plenty of time.

Paul, Have you ever been to Le Bec for lunch? It doesn't take 3 months for a reservation and it doesn't take more than 2 hours.

From the Le Bec Fin website:

"Lunch is served Monday through Friday. $54.00 per person prix fixe."

If you chose to go this route, I would make a reservation.

In March walking down Broad turning on Walnut, Chestnut streets can be just what you need after flight. And yes, you might stumble upon Le Bec Fin...so there is a bar, go there, sample finest french food for about $29pp and keep walking and having good day. But remember "Philly is more fun if you sleep over" (from local TV commercial)

I usually fly out of PHL mid to late afternoon and have never encountered long security lines. Mid-day mid-week is probably not peak travel time, and if you happen to be flying first class, there's an express line through security. So I don't think long security lines will be an issue.

And yes, the Septa R1 train into center city from the airport is very easy, stops are right at the airport, just follow the signs. I would definitely do it, giving myself plenty of time to get back, of course.

Andrew

I love the Art Museum but it is nowhere near the train station. Not extremely far, but you'd have to allow extra commuting time just to get there and back. The historic area is only 3 blocks from the Market East Station, but again, you have to allow time to and from. It's a wonderful area to walk around.

Yes, it is doable, and I am usually one to side on the "see as much as you can" side, but I'd be too nervous doing this. Maybe at a different airport, but years of flying in and out of PHL have left me a bit weary.

I am thinking how much is a cab to and from Airport would be? Just to be safe?

It's a $25 flat fee + tip from the airport to center Philadelphia.

Hop in a cab to go to one of the original Philly Cheese Steak joints around 9th and Passyunk. Pat's or Geno's would be my recommendation, though others have their own opinions. Savor a local classic slathered with greasy goodness, then double up on your anticholesterol medication.

I forgot Penns Landing!!!! Gotta walk there!

I'm a Jim's Steaks fan, myself. with WHIZ. One of their cheesesteaks might entice me to leave the airport!

4th and South Sts.

I can't help but laugh -- this is going to be an expensive layover -- $50+ for cab, and $54+ for lunch.

Now you've got options. Cab/train, expensive lunch/cheese steak, stay at the airport.

Why are you traveler always tend to "poorify" yourselves...how large of a sum is $100? for seing Phily it is nothing...cch1, go spend and remember!

cch1, making any decisions, tell us: are you coming from a domestic or international point? If it's international and you need to go through passport and customs, forget it. You'll need at least two hours to get through the whole rigamarole if any other planes land the same time as yours.

If this is just a domestic trip, you could give it a shot BUT don't stop checking your watch--this will be a whirlwind visit. And if it's a cold day, don't count on your train being completely punctual; SEPTA is notorious for cold weather delays due to "frozen switches."

How exactly does one Poorify?

Hey everyone,
Thanks for the chatter. I'm flying domestic coming in from Milwaukee. I can't stand the notion of sitting in the airport for 5 hours. There's only so many magazines I can look at and $6 beers I can buy at the airport bars. I am definitely leaning on trying to take the train into the city to grab lunch as I'm certain I won't get full on the pretzel snack and soft drink on the way out. I plan on asking an airport staff for a feel on traffic the day I arrive. Looks like it'll be a Tues. or Wed. in March. Ironic that Philly is a place I've been planning on visiting, so I may end up getting a brief audition to tease me into a longer stay down the line. A friend of mine likes Pat's over Geno's for cheesesteaks...I think I need to try to hit that. Does anyone have an idea as to how far (cab fare) Pat's is from wherever the train downtown stops? Thanks everyone for your ideas. I'll drop a dime on a good local lunch for a one-timer...you only live once and you never want your arteries too clear-your heart will get lazy.

Just take the cab from the airport right to Pat's (also my favorite)

Lines are much shorter at Philly mid-day. Also depends on the terminal -- F is really easy to get in and out of. B/C can sometimes be a hassle, but if you run into that, politely ask someone at the front if you can jump ahead. I've don't that a bunch of times at Philly, and no one has ever turned me down.

So, 5 hours? Let take 10-3pm.

10:00 -- land
10:30 -- leave airport via cab
11:00 -- arrive in center city (definitely doable, I've done it in less than 30 minutes during rush hour)
11-1: lunch at Pats/Genos, cab it to Liberty Bell, walk down around South St., cab it to Rittenhouse area, whatever floats your boat.
1:00 -- leave city via cab
1:30 -- go thru security
2:30 -- be at gate
3 -- plane leaves

This is a tight schedule, but doable if you check in for flight times and leave yourself wriggle room, and don't mind spending $$ on the cab/train fares (but man, you can rack up the bill at the airport too!).

If you do decide to stay at the airport, here are my favs:
Terminal B: Cibo
Terminal C: Sky Asian Bistro
Terminal E & F: nothing good besides fast food
Terminal C: a Spa chain is opening at some point (should be open by March), you could always pass the time with a great massage, nail treatment, whatever.
Between B & C -- shopping, TGIFridays, and lots of rocking chairs.

Also, you could purchase a day pass at the US Airways club. Philly also has wireless, so you can always catch up on email/work if need be.

Good luck, and if you do venture out, let us know how it goes! SG

I know how things can get haywire around Phila., especially if you are trying to make a connecting flight (and esp. if that flight is from overseas). But it seems a bit unkind to ask to jump a line (that I understand might not even be there in the middle of the day), b/c you went into town to eat a cheesesteak and ran late getting back.

I've said this before, I'm cynical about dealing with PHL. There are so many times we've landed and were on the ground, but waited for a half hour just for gate clearance.

Hi again,
I forgot to mention that I am flying international out of Philadelphia. With that in mind, isthe return security check going to make a trip downtown unreasonable?

Oh, now we get ALL the information.

It shouldn't be a problem since you will probably have done the international check-in on the first leg of your flight, and your bags should be checked thru.

If you have to check bags/passport, etc, I would allow 2 hours for long lines.

You don't have too much time. I suggest taking a taxi to the Italian Market section - there you can eat wherever - Pat's or Ginos' for cheesesteaks is in that neighborhood. No rail service there, perhaps subway, however, I don't recommend it. You can go to www.septa.org for more info on trains/subways/maps!

Hi! I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I'm in a similar situation. I haven't yet booked my ticket, so I need some advice. I am planning a pre-grad school solo trip to Europe for 2.5 months. I'm flying from LAX-Amsterdam on March 6 (Monday-midday) with a 5:45 hour layover in Philly, then returning on May 20 (Saturday-midday) from Amsterdam-SFO with a 5 hour layover in Philly. I think I have to jump from Terminal A to B roundtrip. Here's the catch: my best friend (old gf) lives in Philly and I won't see her for a little under 3 months. This would be a great time to say goodbye before I leave the States, and then awesome to meet up for a little bit to tell my stories on the way back. She has a car, so we will want to go somewhere for quick dinner. However, I'm not sure if this reunion will be worth it since its probably going to be rushed and stressful.

3 questions:
-Is this layover doable with the international custom check?
-This ticket cost $522(cheap), but it is highly restrictive. Any change will result in $200 fee plus difference. I'm not sure if this is recommended because I have no idea what I am going to be doing in Europe, so I'm afraid I might become lonely or homesick and end up wasting money day by day.
-Or should I get a $645 (flexible) ticket where the penalty is $25 plus difference, but a regular Atlanta layover (no Philly)

Wow! This started as a layover question, but then resulted in "which ticket is better". I'm sorry for this long post. I'm just so indecisive about booking this ticket because this trip is scaring me somewhat.

Hello,
Where exactly would we be able to leave two carry-ons while we go into the city?

Thanks

GOod luck on the train - it's not as cheap as you'd imagine and I've had bad experiences with train delays. Sounds like it's more of a hassle than what you'll get out of the city experience - I lived there for a year and wasn't impressed outside of the history. I've got nothing on where to leave bags.

I can already tell you (as of last month) that the center city Philadelphia train stations DO NOT have luggage lockers. I asked at Market East station last month when I had a brief stop-over there. I was told they took the lockers out after 9/11. Market East station is attached to a mall, and I resorted to dragging my luggage around it a little. Market East station isn't too far from Independence Hall, but it's most likely not worth it if you carry-ons are too heavy.

Andrew

Last summer I had a four hour layover from Phl to MKE.I just had a smallish carryon so I took it with me. Took the train from the airport into the downtown area.Talked to people on the train, looked out the train window. Looked at the Liberty Bell, walked around the green, saw a little historic re-enactment, ate a Philly Cheese steak, got back on the train.
Sure beat sitting in the terminal.

Actually there are a lot of very interesting things at the airport. I am not sure I would go into center city. You don't know about delays and security is tough.
I was in the airport for 7 hours last summer and found lots to do, even with 2 kids.

I would suggest taking a cab to 2nd & Market (costs flat rate of $25 + tip.) No traffic takes about 15 min. (Never done the train so don't know times on that). The area has a bunch of stores and eateries (for great Indian go to Cafe Spice on 2nd or for quick and cheap there's a good by the slice pizza place right on Market). Two blocks one way is the Liberty Bell at 4 & Market and only takes about 5 min. to do this time of year. The Constitution Center is across the street from the Liberty Bell (personally find it a little boring but everyone likes different things). Independence Mall (where the Declaration of Independence was signed)is right behind the Liberty Bell. Walk two blocks the other direction and you hit Penns Landing which is a nice waterfront area to walk around. If you like old style beautiful rowhomes, just wander off a few blocks towards Chestnut St. direction and you'll find a lovely residential neighborhood (Society Hill). Another place to go is South Street (about 10 long blocks from Market so you could walk it and do both areas but it depends on if you like to lolligag). South Street is many blocks long and has lots of shops and restaurants (Jim's Steaks is around 4th & South...not a fan but people seem to like it as it's one of the top 3 in Philly). Used to be mostly punk shops but over the years has become a little bit of everything. If you walk to it from Market you'll get a good sense of downtown residential areas and old Philly architecture. There's lots of cabs in both areas so you can jump in one to head back to the airport. Would personally leave 2 hours for getting back to the airport and security. I would have to disagree with the suggestions of going to Pats or Geno's just cause it's a little out of the way and in the middle of South Philly (a residential neighborhood) so you would have to take a cab to get back to other stuff and cabs might be hard to find there (atleast I've never noticed a cab there...could be wrong). Philly is an great city (lived there 18 years) but as someone else in here said, it really is better if you sleep over. Have fun!