Tami

We have a 6 1/4 hour layover (afternoon) before an international flight. We have never been in Philadelphia and we are wondering if the city close enough to the airport for us to do some sightseeing? Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks

Amy

Welcome to Philadelphia! Are you sure you don't want to make that a six day layover?

Anyway, there's an airport train that will take you into center city Philadelphia where you could walk about and see the outside of some of the historical sites or go to the top of City Hall and see an overview of the city. Then you could go to the Reading Terminal Market for some food or just looking. Check out the SEPTA website ( I think it's just www.septa.com) for schedules and fares. The airport is not close to the city center, but there would be some time for a quick look-in.

The 30th Street Station train stop would enable you to get to the Art Museum, which is also marvelous.

If you decide that it's a bit too far for you to go and return in the time you have, I have to tell you that Philadelpha Airport has been renovated fairly recently and has some nice shops and actually some pretty decent food. It's not a horrible place to hang out for a while, although of course it's not huge.

Have a great trip, and do come back and see us sometime for a longer time!

pam

Another Welcome to Philadelphia. Amy has some great ideas,another thought is Penn's landing. It is right along the Delaware, great restaurants, a nice area to walk around and not extremely far from the airport. Maybe 15 minutes or so. Within walking distance of Penns landing is Society Hill. A shopping district, great places to eat, relax, stretch your legs before your international flight. Also I agree our airport is not that bad. 6 hours is still a long time in an airport. Good luck.

Judy

Just a word of caution here. Make sure you really have those six hours. First of all, your plane may arrive late (which of course you will know at the time). My my real concern would be getting on the connecting flight. Make sure you don't have be at the gate two hours prior to take-off, which is often the case these days. Because if that is so, you'd only have four left, which is not much time at all.

Paul Rabe

Take the R1 Train from the airport to the Market East Station.

www.septa.org/schedule.cgi?route=r1&day=1

This will put you at 10th and Market. Walk east (lower street numbers) along Market till you get to Sixth Street. Look south and you'll see Independence Hall, an absolute must stop for all Americans and those interested in world history. Wander around Independence Hall for a while, and then eat a REAL Philly cheese steak. Then take the R1 back to the Airport, giving yourself enough time to make your connection.

bessie

See Independence Hall and then go right back to the airport. There is nothing else in Philadelphia worth seeing, doing, or eating. I lived there for a year and it was like a living death.

x

The Philly airport itself also has some nice stores where you can kill and hour or so.