We are three folks going to the Barnes from downtown ... is it easier/about the same expense to go by taxi versus subway and a half mile walk?

We took the SEPTA (note, that's regional rail, not subway) to Merion stop and walked to Barnes Foundation several years ago. It was a nice walk through a nice neighborhood.

The cost on SEPTA from Center City is:
$6.75 off-peak per person; or $8.25 peak per person
http://www.septa.org/maps/click_map/merion.html

I'm not exactly sure how much a taxi would cost, but the Barnes is about 8 miles outside of Center City. Based on this: http://www.philly-taxi.com/fares.htm

A rough estimate comes up to about $20-$22 each way for taxi. Therfore, the SEPTA option is definitely cheaper, but of course, the taxi route is easier.

P.S. the SEPTA fares I listed above are roundtrip fares per person.

Thanks for the help... we are intrepid and will probably take the SEPTA

take SEPTA and gaze at the Merion mansions on the way to Barnes