I booked a flight to Philly, planning to stay two nights in the city and two nights in Cape May. To my dismay, I can’t find anything under $150 for the first few days of June for Philadelphia. Is there a nice town within 5-10 miles that someone could recommend? I don’t want to be stuck staying at an airport hotel.

Thanks!

Thanks for suggestion, but it’s not available. My dates are June 1-3 or June 3-5.

The Wyndham on Race is showing $188 for weekend nights. It’s in Chinatown. Not the best neighborhood but I’ve walked there at night and felt fine. I think this location is right behind the convention center so I’m not sure how busy that part of Race St is at night.

The Inn at Swarthmore is near your budget and you can take the train into town.

Have you considered a AirBnB? We can help you with neighborhoods.

I saw that rate and decided not to recommend it because the easiest route from there into the city is on the Schuylkill Exp. It's a 30 min drive on a good day (there's rarely a good day on the Surekill) and they'd have to park in the city. I think their best bet outside the city is a hotel near a train or trolley line. Or an AirBnB in the city.

Inn at Swartmore is too far. I’d like to be no more than 5-10 miles away.

I'm traveling alone and don’t feel comfortable being in an Airbnb solo,

I will be renting a car for Cape May. I had not been planning on having a car for Philly unless I have to commute and can’t find something on a public transportation line.

I may change my itinerary to skip the city of Philadelphia entirely.

It’s your decision and you have to be comfortable with your decision. I think it would be a shame to miss Philadelphia. You could do what tomfuller suggested. I’ve taken NJ Transit to AC. I’d also re-examine Swarthmore. It’s a cute college town, you’re a short walk from the train station and a 25 min train ride into the city. It’s also an easy transfer from the airport train line to the Media line at University City or 30th St.

https://www.septa.org/maps/system/index.html

SEPTA | Media/Elwyn Line Regional Rail Schedule | Weekday | to Center City Philadelphia

I'm sorry. I must have plugged in different dates. Look at airport hotels but instead of driving into town, you can find a hotel with a shuttle to the airport and take the train in. If you drive, there are a lot of parking garages available. As someone who's racked up a lot of PPA parking tickets, I would advise not parking on the street.

The ferry offers a really nice ride across the Delaware Bay. (I'll be on it tomorrow.) It will be cheaper walking on. There are bike rentals on the Lewes side and really nice bike paths there.

Do you have accommodations in Cape May?

I have not figured out Cape May lodging yet. Any recs? I’m looking for quiet, clean, safe and reasonably priced. No frills accommodation is fine with me.
Hoping to find something around $100/night.

I’d lock in a place in Cape May asap. The good news is that early June is not a popular time at the Jersey shore towns plus, you’re going midweek. The bad news is that Cape May is not a normal shore town. I’m amazed at how crowded it can be in shoulder seasons. That being said, there are alternatives. Look at the Wildwoods, anything below Wildwood Crest. Stay away from the boardwalk and convention area.

There are a few motels on Rt. 9 that look ok and worth looking into. Good luck with your plans. I feel like we keep throwing cold water on them but I think they’ll come together for you even though they may be as you initially envisioned

I always thought this place looked nice. We drive by it on the way to the ferry.

Jersey Cape Motel, Cape May, New Jersey - Rates

I couldn’t figure out if you have a car in Philly or not. But Apple Hostel has a private room in your price range, and that’s what I’d do. It’s central and would be much better than an airport hotel. it’d be a shame to skip Philly, it’s awesome!

I've stayed at the Independent hotel, and loved that, but it’s either gone way up in price or it’s nearly sold out in June. Crazy expensive.

Apple Hostel doesn’t have a private room for my night, June 1. I’m not up for sharing a bathroom anyways, but I appreciate the mention.

i will have my car. When I’m done with the city, I want to be able to immediately head to the coast,

I found a new Best western hotel in Pennsauken that I am considering. It looks easy enough to drive into the city from there.

I could not visualize the Best Western in that location when I looked at the map.. As I recall, that section of the highway is dreary and feels isolated. I'd consider driving an additional ten minutes to Cherry Hill. Look at the Crown Plaza (formerly Hilton), some rooms with views of the Cooper River and its park, or the Holiday Inn, with plenty of shops and restaurants nearby.

Mount Laurel NJ would be another six miles or so away and has a huge selection of hotels.

Morning commute into Philadelphia might try your patience unless you are willing to wait until 9:30 or so.

I'll look at that area, thanks. Unless there's a weekend rush hour, I'm not concerned. I plan to head into city around 8 am on a Sunday and be leaving late afternoon.