I'd hoped to travel to Philadelphia during the pope's visit next September...but it looks like all city hotel rooms are already booked. Any thoughts on other options? Ideally, I'd find a place within walking distance of Art Museum area.

Thanks for any ideas.

Get lodging in Wilmington Delaware. Take one of the first 2 Northeast Regional trains (150 or 160) to PHL (30th St. station).
If you get the saver fare, it's $22. The regular fare is $29.
It's only 20 to 25 minutes from Wilmington (Joe Biden station). to Philadelphia.
If the demand is there, Amtrak will add extra coach cars to the Northeast Corridor trains. There is no sense to paying a premium to ride the Acela on such a short trip.

I doubt you'll find anything within walking distance to the Art Museum area if you say the hotels are already booked. I do find that amazing!
People who live in that area might start advertising their places to rent for that weekend. I work with a young lady who was talking about doing that. How much are you willing to pay?
You could also stay in any of the Phila. suburbs that have regional rail lines and take the train into the city.

Check this out:

http://www.worldmeeting2015.org/get-...host-a-family/

If you happen to stay at my place -- we'll be hosting -- well, all the better.

How about the Chestnut Hill Hotel in Chestnut Hill?

Nice neighborhood with restaurants, shops, etc., and easy to get into Center City with the local trains.
http://www.chestnuthillhotel.com/

Chestnut Hill's booked already, too, but thanks for that idea. Looks like I may be staying in Paul's guest room!

If Paul's place doesn't work out, you can always stay out on the Mainline and take the R5 in. The Devon Courtyard is a short walk from the Strafford station.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/maps/...delphia-devon/

The Devon Courtyard's already booked, too,but thanks for the idea.

Schmerl, I'm willing to pay more than I'd normally pay for Philadelphia accommodations, of course. But I may not be able to afford it if people begin serious pope-gouging.

Have you checked www.homeaway.com

Ok you may have to go all the way out to Atlantic City then and take NJ transit in. I'm only halfway kidding, it's an option. There are a lot of hotel rooms there.

Did you check all the hotel/motels in the Kind of Prussia area?

Ooops. That should say KinG of Prussia.

schmerl, what are the mass transit options out of KoP into the city? I would imagine that driving into the city during the pope's visit is going to be a nightmare. There are a lot of hotel rooms in Conshohocken too but I don't know what mass transit options are there.

The regional rail has stops in Conshohocken and the high speed line has stops in Bridgeport and I think both have stops in Gulph Mills. Both of them are adjacent to King of Prussia.
Here's a link to Septa trains:
http://www.septa.org/schedules/rail/

Consider, too, hotels in New Jersey--Cherry Hill, Mount Laurel, Voorhees.

If you will have a car, you will be able to get to a Patco station then use the Speedline for a 20 minute or so ride into Philadelphia. Check closer to the date regarding transportation options within Philadelphia, or walk from the Patco station at 16th and Locust.

The route 125 bus connects KOP to center city:
http://www.septa.org/schedules/bus/index.html

Actually, to me the Atlantic City option makes a lot of sense. It's a very easy ride from the AC train station to 30th Street Station. I'd rather do that than the bus, personally--I have done both, and that bus ride is, well, one I'm glad I don't have to take every day.

(That is, the bus from King of Prussia.)

I'm going to agree with Amy agreeing with me. The train trip from Atlantic City is 90 min. While the drive on the Scuylkill Exp to KoP should only take 30 min, I've been on that route when it took 90. If you are interested, there is a Sheraton across the street from the train station and Caesers is just down the road. http://www.sheratonatlanticcity.com

If the OP goes for AC, I can't wait to read the trip report! Seeing the pope and hitting the slots is not the usual Fodorite itinerary ;-)