PHL- how far from fun stuff?
 

Hi,
My husband & I have a 6 hour layover in Philly on our way to Germany. How far is the airport from say, the Liberty Bell, and/or some good cheesesteak places? would we have enought time to either or both?

Thanks!

Michelle, you'd have time to take a taxi back and forth to Tony Luke's cheesesteaks. It is in south Philly, one of the best, and the airport is only about 10-15 minutes away.

MMMM...I can taste one now, worth every mile!

http://www.tonylukes.com/

If you're going to Tony Luke's, get the roast pork Italian with broccoli rabe and sharp provolone.

Be careful of your time though.

Actually, you could do both, if you traveled by cab-- just remember that you'll have to go through security again, and in Philly you need to allow 2 hours for that.

Thanks! I looked at Tony Luke's and they are closed on Sundays- the day we'll be there. Any other suggestions?

Pat's and Geno's are open 24/7, I think. They're side-by-side at 9th and Passyunk. Not as good as Tony Luke's but you'll get the South Philly flavor and they're a cab ride from the aiport. (Geno's, btw, is the place where owner Joey Vento got his 5 mins. of fame by saying he wouldn't serve those who don't speak English.)
I don't think you'll have time to do the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, etc.

They've got 6 hours!

michelle, I'm glad you asked this - we have an 8-hour layover in May! I hope you don't mind me throwing in another question, but how long/economical is a taxi as compared to SEPTA getting to touristy stuff?

Six hours, huh? Well, let's break that down. Six hours IF their plane lands on time. Ever flown into Philly -- also known as the "Circling Capital of the Northeast"?
-- OK, so let's say the plane lands on time. You have to get to the gate and off the plane, walk the concourse, and get a cab along with the 10 other people looking for one. What's that, 45 mins?
-- Then you're going to take a cab to a cheesesteak place, get in line, make your purchase and eat. Hmmm, maybe an hour, hour and a half, if all goes well.
-- Then back in the cab to drive in city traffic to the Liberty Bell/Ind. Hall area, where you'll wait in line to see the bell or take the tour of Ind. Hall. Total time: Oh, generously, two hours.
-- Then it's back in a cab to drive through city traffic and back to the aiport: about a half hour.
-- Then it's back through security, typically a nightmare in Phila, and the trek to your gate: maybe 45 mins.
I total all that up as 5 hours, 30 mins. -- if all goes perfectly. That gives the OP 30 mins to catch the connecting flight. Good luck!

Trying to see the glass half full ...mmmm, what time of day to you land in Philly could be a key question here. Philly is a very do-able place. You can call ahead, order you cheestake, do the pick , eat it at a interesting spot, cab it back to the airport.. ya see it's done... Jim's on 4th & South St will give you a fun Philly feel to a wierd kinda degree.

Maxine: That's not seeing the glass half full; that's seeing that glass full of champagne!
Order ahead and eat the cheesesteak "at an interesting place"? LOL
I'm picturing the OP trekking up the steps of Independence Hall dripping grease from a Pat's special.

I'm just going to add my opinion that there's always something at PHL (won't let planes land, gate unavailable, noone to drive the jetway to the plane, escalators shut off, one security line open with six idle people sitting there staring at the line of anxious passengers...). Never underestimate the amount of time that airport can suck out of a day.

If you get to the point where you can leave the airport with four hours to your flight out, you could catch a cab to get a cheesesteak. Tell the driver to wait for you, because you won't find any cabs crusing past Gino's/Pat's for the return trip.

You don't have to stand in line to see the Liberty Bell. It's inside a building with a huge window that allows people to see it 24/7. If you want to stand in front of it, you have to get a timed entrance ticket. These tickets are free at the building across the street, but the entrance time you'll get if you just show up will probably be two or three hours from when you arrive.

In six hours you can easily get to outside Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, look at both, then either (1) grab a cheese steak at the Bourse or (2) ride down to Pat's / Geno's for the atmosphere, and finally return to the airport. Head for P / G only if you have the time.

And I say this as someone who warns people that Philly's security lines can be a nightmare.

If you're going to grab a cheesesteak at the the Bourse, you may as well just get one at the airport.

I just spoke to JIM'S on South St., So,j_999_9, you CAN order a cheesestake ahead and pick it up on a Sunday!!! Michelle the phone is 215 928-1911,www.jimssteaks.com
choose from the menu and enjoy!!!

You do NOT need a timed entrance ticket to the Libery Bell. That's for Independence Hall. YOu will, however, stand in line to get in to see the Liberty Bell and go through security.

Jent..Standard taxi from the airport is $25.. about 25-30 min not sure of the train.. I am sure it is much less and faster, but I believe there is a direct line to Market East stop where you will be able to walk the short 3 blocks to Independance and the Bell

Thanks, Maxine! For two of us it looks like it'll be about the same either way.

Maxine: I wasn't laughing about ordering ahead. It was, as I said, at the idea of eating it while touring.
Besides, ordering ahead won't save you much time anyway. Except for lunchtime rush, I don't think I've ever waited more than about 5-10 mins at Tony Luke's, Jim's, Pat's or Geno's.

Oi, holy negativity!

Yes I think she can do both. I'd suggest going to Independence Hall area by cab and seeing how your time is, how long the line at the Bell is, etc. It's a nice area to walk around and just see the historic buildings too. I'd also recommend getting a cheesesteak at a vender cart. No extra travel and frankly, better than Pat's or Genos (they really shouldn't be eaten until midnight and everything else is closed!)