philadelphia: safe to take rail at midnight?

[ucjffj]

hey all. have an interview end of this month and my flight comes in late, almost midnight. is it safe to take setpa from airport to center city? i'll be walking a few blocks from regional rail dropoff to hotel, lugging my luggage. should i just take a cab instead?

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[phllystyl]

I have rode that train several times around that time of day. The regional rails are, AFAIK, safe. Be sure to confirm times on www.septa.org

 

[burlypie]

I'm sure it's safe enough (I've taken the regional rail lines late at night too) but personally, at midnight I'm just shell out the 20 bucks for a cab (a flat fee from the airport) to get to Center City. No waiting, no dragging luggage around, no finding you way alone at night etc.

 

[TaalMasti]

I'm sure it's safe enough (I've taken the regional rail lines late at night too) but personally, at midnight I'm just shell out the 20 bucks for a cab (a flat fee from the airport) to get to Center City. No waiting, no dragging luggage around, no finding you way alone at night etc.

I agree. While it may be safe, I wouldn't always count on it. Pay the $20. Or if you get in before midnight, try out a shuttle bus - call from the desk at baggage claim. Lady Liberty Shuttle is often pretty good.

 

[constructor]

philly sucks... ****tiest city in the world, ****tiest people, ****tiest sports teams, ****tiest everything. please don't go there!

 

[mshheaddoc]

construtor - lay off philly.

To the OP - take the cab ... rail lines are far and few between and if you don't know your way around from the station then could pose a problem. I know lots of students who use that line, You are safe, but it would just be easier. Check out septa and what times your coming in. its your experience. I'd take the cab, but I just don't like waiting in the train stations. I'm female and that is just me 🙂 Any questions about philly, let me know 🙂

~MSH

 

[Kazema]

Philly is an awesome city, don't listen to ^^^ that guy 😉

By that guy I meant constructor, not mshheaddoc.

 

[fyli260]

Philly rocks. Not too crowded unlike NY. Not too cold unlike Boston. Not too expensive unlike most big cities.

 

[skhichi]

are you kidding, avoid the train

 

[shawty ya'head]

philly sucks... ****tiest city in the world, ****tiest people, ****tiest sports teams, ****tiest everything. please don't go there!

eat fat penis...

philly is the bomb, great city....

now, as for the subway at midnight, i would avoid it...esp if you're going to the temple area (north philly is super ghetto).

you may want to consider it for drexel, penn or jefferson...all in either center city or west philly (right on, price of bel aire)...

but regional rail is fine...if you're coming in from the airport...try the R1...it brings you right into the city for 5.50....leaves every 1/2 hour...much cheaper than a taxi unless you can ride w/ other people....

-A


ps. EAGLES biiiach...

 

[mshheaddoc]

appears consensus, take the train. You can see what time you get in and if you miss the train just take the taxi. You staying in center city so you are fine for the area 👍 Good luck!

 

[linuxizer]

General options for Airport-Center City in Philly:
* Train $5.50 peak, a little less off peak if I remember correctly. There's a small ($1.25?) surcharge for buying ticket on the train if there was a ticket booth open at the stop before you left. Runs every 30mins during day. Not sure about night.
* Airport shuttles $8ish. Must schedule at least 24hrs in advance usually. Have to wait around for other people.
* Taxis. Exactly $20 to anywhere in Center City.

Bottom line: If you're going to Penn's campus, consider the train, as 30th St Station where the line stops is the east border of campus.
Anywhere else, try the shuttles.

As for safety, I've taken many SEPTA lines late at night before, and it's not bad, just don't be stupid and you're fine. It's certainly not the NY Subway in the 80's (or at least I've heard it was bad...I was a mere babe back then).

--Ari

 

[group_theory]

regional rail at night is pretty safe. just keep a good head on your shoulder.

Another option is to call the hotel - they might offer shuttles that pick people up at the airport for free or a reasonable price.

 

[punchberry]

Bottom line: If you're going to Penn's campus, consider the train, as 30th St Station where the line stops is the east border of campus.
Anywhere else, try the shuttles.

If you are going to Penn, get off at University City Station, NOT 30th Street. It is much closer. (The hospital is one block up Spruce Street, med school is a block further, and there are hotels nearby)

For Jefferson, get off at Market East Station, for Drexel get off at Suburban Station, and for Temple get off at Temple Station. All of these are within 3 blocks, except for Temple, which I am not sure about- I have not been to that part of town, and if my first time was at midnight I WOULD be in a cab.

All of the aforementioned stops are on the R1 line, the regional rail line that stops at every terminal in the airport every 20 minutes.

If your flight gets in at midnight, and you are staying at a hotel, you may want to consider an airport hotel. Prices are comparable / cheaper to those in Center City, many have shuttles, and safety would be a null issue in the morning.

 

[linuxizer]

If you are going to Penn, get off at University City Station, NOT 30th Street. It is much closer. (The hospital is one block up Spruce Street, med school is a block further, and there are hotels nearby)

Good call. I was thinking he would transfer to the green line trolleys which take you even closer into Penn's campus. But yes, if you're headed to Penn and want to walk at Midnight (not nearly as unappealing a proposition as it sounds, especially the eastern side of campus), get off at UC Station. If you're looking to take a trolley closer in or transfer to another subway line or take a taxi, get off at 30th St. (taxi fare from 30th St is around $5 to the far side of campus--less at night with no traffic).

--Ari