I am coming to Philadelphia March 26-30 For the Women's Basketball NCAA Regionals to be held at the Liacouras Center on the campus of Temple University. I was told that the area around Temple is a little iffy, and I should stay near the airport or Center City. I can get fairly good deals at the Rennaissance Airport ($129 per night) or Embassy Suites Airport ($109 per night,includes breakfast and free manager's evening reception). Both airport properties offer free parking. Am I making a wise choice to stay at one of the airport properties, or am I really missing the boat by not staying downtown? I do plan on renting a car. All advice is greatly welcomed.

We stay somewhere at the airport every December for Army-Navy Game.

Hotwire has 3.5*** for $71, and a 3*** for $56 at the airport.

You never know what you are going to get, but I've never been disappointed. One year got the Sheraton Suites, and next year got Holiday Inn. For the price, both were excellent.

Why would you need a car?
If you absolutely need a car, stay at the Airport, as parking in Center City costs $20+/d.

Center City is certainly a much better location to stay, with tons of shops & restaurants which are all walkable. One can usually get a 3* or 4* hotel on Priceline for about $50/night.

Why would I need a car? To get to the airport to hotel, as well as hotel to Liacouras Center. If not a car, what do you suggest?

If it were me, coming for the weekend, I'd stay downtown and not rent bother renting a car. Part of the fun of March Madness is visiting the city, seeing other fans, etc. I suspect that most of that will be happening downtown - I know it was when the Women's Final Four was in Philly 2000.

There really isn't a need for a car. There is a train that runs between center city Phila. and the airport and the subway system will get you most other places.

Like others said, the SEPTA R1 train runs from the airport to Center City and takes 25minutes. It's way easier than renting a car.
Everything in Center City is within walking distance or a cheap cab ride.

The subway system goes from Center City to Temple Univ, so you can either take the subway, or just take a cab.

Wouldn't a train or subway be a real hassle with all of the luggage from the airport? Where do you store all of your luggage when using the train or subway?

There are probably several of the downtown hotels that have airport shuttles. They'll pick you up at the airport with your bags and then you can travel where you need elswhere in the city on the subway or bus.

Games are on the 27 and 29 so assume since you aren't leaving til the 30th you can keep your bags at the hotel. If you think that taking the train to Center City from the airport with luggage for a 4 day trip would too much hassle for you, you can always take a cab to from the airport.

I would recommend taking public transporation/cabs in the city. Agree that the are around Temple can be "iffy" - in fact when I first moved to the area - I got lost leaving the Liacouris center after trying to find a "shortcut" to I-95. I was lost in a pretty desolate/bleak looking area. I now stick to the main road in and the main road out. Suggest you do the same if you do decide to get a car.

That said, with all the fans in town, the area should be well populated around game time and you should have a great time. I've got tickets to the games myself, and am looking forward to some great hoops.

I have taken the R1 SEPTA train between the Airport and Center City at least 20-30 times. The train is usually not too crowded, so you can either put your luggage in the seat next to you, or on the luggage rack overhead.

Sounds like public transportation is not your cup of tea, so you other choices are airport shuttle ($11 or so) or a cab (flat fee $20).

The SEPTA train costs $5.50.