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The Philadelphia train station is one of the biggest transportation hubs in the country. Over 4 million passengers travel through the William H. Gray III 30th Street Station each year, landing it in Amtrak’s top three busiest stations. In addition, the SEPTA Regional Rail and NJ Transit connect commuters and travelers from Philly to destinations near and far.
But 30th Street Station is so much more than just a train station. It has stood tall for nearly a century, with its doors first opening to the public in 1934. It has been unofficially recognized as one of the last remaining “Great American Stations” thanks to its grandiose architecture, stately pillars, massive windows, and Art Deco chandeliers.
A journey through Philadelphia’s train station is truly an experience in itself, even if you’re not there to catch a train. If you need an excuse to visit 30th Street Station, you can grab a coffee from one of the cafes, meander through the outstanding art center, or take a load off on one of the long wooden benches as you enjoy some top-tier people-watching.
Amtrak and the city of Philadelphia are dropping a serious wad of cash to make continuous improvements to 30th Street Station, but until then, you’ll find the most up-to-date station information below.
2955 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(800) 872-7245
Hours
Open 24/7
Philadelphia’s Amtrak Station is located at 2955 Market Street near downtown Philly and the University City area.
There are three entrances to the station; one off Market Street to the south, another off N 30th Street to the west and the final off Schuylkill Avenue to the east.
30th Street Station is easily accessible by car, foot, and public transportation.
If you are driving to the station, same-day and overnight parking is available on-site, and rideshare apps and taxis will drop you off right in front of the station.
Bus route 21 services the station, as do various trolley lines and the Market - El Frankford subway line.
If you’re coming from further afield (like the burbs or the airport) there are also various SEPTA regional rail lines that connect to 30th Street Station.
There is a taxi stand at 30th Street Station, located at the Schuylkill Ave exit on the station’s east side. Traffic around the station will likely put a delay on your travel time, though this should change after planned upgrades are completed.
The Philadelphia Airport (PHL) is less than 10 miles from 30th Street Station, and there are few ways to get between the two travel hubs.
You can drive yourself, or grab a cab or rideshare service, which takes about 15 minutes of drive time. Beware of the traffic around the station - it can add quite a bit of time to your journey!
Another convenient option is hopping on the train. The Airport Line of SEPTA Regional Rail runs between 30th Street Station and the airport terminals multiple times daily. The rail route from the airport to 30th Street Station takes about 30 minutes.
The Philadelphia Amtrak station is only about 1 mile away from the Philadelphia Convention Center, located near City Hall and Reading Terminal Market.
You can travel between 30th Street Station and the Convention Center by subway (SEPTA MFL), bus (Line 124 or 201), tram (Line 10), or car. You could also get there on your own two feet if you don’t mind the 25-minute jaunt!
There are some great things to do near 30th Street Station if you have a little extra time on your layover. You can meander the grounds of the lovely University of Pennsylvania, enjoy the views from the Cira Green (a great green space above the station’s parking garage), or pop into one of the many museums in the vicinity, including the Mütter, Rodin, and Penn museums.
Various parking options are available at 30th Street Station. There are two short-term lots on site. one on the southwest corner and one along the station’s eastern end off Schuylkill Ave. There’s also a long-term parking garage across from the station on Arch Street.
Free WiFi is available at 30th Street Station, though it is spotty in certain areas and may not be the best for remote work or streaming services.
Baggage storage is available right at 30th Street Station through Amtrak’s parcel check service. It’s $10 per bag for ticketed Amtrak customers, and $20 per bag if you’re not traveling with Amtrak. The baggage check area is located in the northeast corner of the station.
The food options at 30th Street Station are arguably some of the best of any station in the country. There are the usual grab-and-go options like Jersey Mike’s Subs and Dunkin Donuts, but also a seasonal food truck popup outside the station (The Porch) with outdoor seating, bar bites, beer and wine.
There are tons of long wooden benches available in the train station’s waiting area. There is also a premium lounge for Amtrak’s Acela passengers, complete with sleek leather sofas and plenty of snacks. Day passes are available if you want to shell out for some extra luxury.
30th Street Station is very accessible, with ramp access and wheelchair-accessible entrances, elevators, restrooms, seating, and parking. Travel information is announced both audibly and visibly at the station.
There are several restrooms available to travelers at 30th Street Station. There are some by the food court, plus another set near the North Waiting Room across from the concourse. Cleanliness is a hit or miss, but if you’ve got to go, at least you have the option available!
There are a few small kiosks inside 30t Street Station with staples like snacks, beverages, newspapers and the like. If you need a proper convenience store or pharmacy, there are a few on the UPenn campus about a half mile away.
30th Street Station, home to Amtrak, SEPTA and more, sits in the center of the city at 2955 Market Street. The station is bound by N 30th Street to the west, Market Street to the south, Schuylkill Ave and River to the east and Arch Street to the north. The train tracks cross the north end of the station, but you’ll take the escalators down from the gates in the main concourse. Inside the station, you can find waiting areas, restrooms, a food court and more. Parking is available along the station’s west, east and north ends.
Distance to the University of Pennsylvania
0.6 mi
Distance to the Philadelphia Museum of Art
0.7 mi
Distance to Love Park
0.9 mi
Distance to the Philadelphia Zoo
1.3 mi
Distance to Reading Terminal Market
1.3 mi
Distance to Philadelphia International Airport
6.6 mi
30th Street Station is THE transportation hub of Philadelphia. The majestic concourse definitely draws its fair share of onlookers, but the majority of people walking these historic halls are passengers on their way to far-off (and not so far-off) destinations.
30th Street is Philadelphia’s main Amtrak station, with connections spanning from Vermont to Florida and everywhere in between. Dozens of SEPTA’s local and regional rail services also depart from 30th Street Station, along with an NJ Transit commuter rail traveling to and from Atlantic City.
A handful of intercity buses stop at 30th Street Station, but most bus trips depart from the Greyhound Station in downtown Philadelphia.
If you plan on spending some extended time in Philly, you can hop on a local bus or trolley line at the station.
Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station is Amtrak’s third busiest station. With all that traffic, it can be a bit confusing to navigate, especially if you are on a tight schedule. We’re here to help your trip go as smoothly as possible!
There is an information booth at the center of the concourse, with a screen keeping travelers up-to-date on departure times and delays.
If you have luggage, you can drop your bags at the Amtrak baggage check in the northeast section of the station just beyond the gates. Should you need assistance with baggage, Amtrak also provides a Red Cap Service to aid passengers - free of charge!
Hop on Amtrak’s high-speed Acela line to travel towards Boston or Washington, DC. Multiple trains travel through 30th Street Station along this line daily, with service starting in the morning and ending in the evening.
The Acela line doesn’t have a designated gate at 30th Street Station, so arrive at least 15 minutes early and check the information screens to see where you’ll be departing from.
Connecting 48 cities between Boston, Massachusetts and Virginia Beach, Virginia, the Amtrak Northeast Regional Rail is one of the most popular routes for commuters in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Trains on this line run through 30th Street Station multiple times daily in both directions, so whether you need to get on a morning service and head to the office or grab a later train to get back home after an exciting vacation, you’ll have plenty of options.
There is no designated track for the Northeast Regional line, so check the large information screen at the center of the station for details on gates and departure times.
Amtrak’s Silver Service runs the long 1,300-mile journey between NYC and Miami. The Silver Service is divided into two lines; the Silver Meteor and the Silver Star.
Because of the crazy distance (if you ride the whole line it would take upwards of 28 hours!), only one train in each direction goes through 30th Street Station daily.
The gate for the Silver Service at Philly’s station varies, so you’ll need to check the information board at the center of the station once you arrive for real-time info about your journey.
Take a trip south from Philadelphia on Amtrak’s Crescent line. Spanning from the Big Apple to the Big Easy with dozens of stops along the way, passengers on this line will get a glimpse into America’s southern states.
There is a single daily departure on the Crescent line from Philadelphia towards New Orleans (generally in the late afternoon), available every day of the week.
There is no designated gate for the Crescent line at 30th Street Station, but you can find information about your trip on the information board at the center of the concourse.
Journey through some of New England’s most pleasant landscapes and charming towns along the Amtrak Vermonter line. This service starts in DC and travels northeast through Philly up to St. Albans, Vermont.
You can make this trip any day of the week, with a single train running through 30th Street Station towards St. Albans daily.
30th Street Station does not have a designated track for the Vermonter line, but you can check the information screens about 15 minutes ahead of departure time for accurate info about your gate.
The Windy City awaits at the final station of Amtrak’s Cardinal line. You can hop on in Philly and ride the 28 stops to Chicago, enjoying beautiful views of America’s southeast along the way.
There’s no flying by the seat of your pants on this journey—you’ll need to plan ahead since service on the Cardinal line is only available three days a week, with a single train running through 30th Street Station on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Because there is no set gate for Amtrak’s Cardinal service, be sure to check the information screen to see which track you’ll be departing from.
The Amtrak Carolinian line connects passengers from the East Coast to several southern cities including Richmond, Raleigh, and Charlotte.
Daily service is available from Philly’s 30th Street Station towards Charlotte, with the single scheduled departure each morning.
There is no set gate for Amtrak’s Carolinian line, so be sure to arrive at the station early so you can check the information board and board on the correct track.
Amtrak’s Palmetto line follows the same path as the Silver Service. If you don’t plan on heading all the way down to the Sunshine State, the Palmetto is a great way to get from Philadelphia to Savannah, Georgia, or one of the dozens of other stops along the way.
Because of the long distance, a single train service on the Palmetto line departs from 30th Street Station towards Savannah daily. Departures are usually scheduled in the morning.
Amtrak’s Palmetto line does not have a designated gate at 30th Street Station, so be sure to arrive early and check the information board for accurate track numbers.
Short, sweet and incredibly convenient, Amtrak’s Keystone Service travels between New York City and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, passing through a total of 18 cities along the way.
This is a quick ride, clocking in at just under four hours from start to finish. Because of the short distance, there are multiple daily departures heading each way from 30th Street Station.
Once you arrive at the station, head to the center of the concourse for current information about gates and departure times.
For cheap and comfortable travel to either NYC or Pittsburgh, hop on Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian. In addition to its convenience, this route is also considered one of America’s most scenic train routes, thanks to stunning views of the Allegheny Mountains and Pennsylvania Dutch Country.
The Pennsylvanian offers a single daily departure in each direction from Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station.
30th Street Station is one of the main stops for Martz Trailways buses in Philadelphia. There is a ticketing office inside the station, open every day from the morning until late in the evening. There is another Martz Trailways bus station at 10th & Filbert St. in Philadelphia, so be sure to check your ticket carefully so you know which station you’ll be departing from.
Destination | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
New York | 43 | 1h 25m | $66.49 |
Newark | 50 | 1h 5m | $63.29 |
Harrisburg | 12 | 1h 51m | $35.14 |
Washington, DC | 33 | 1h 54m | $73.64 |
Boston | 34 | 6h 0m | $136.21 |
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