Getting to Philadelphia

The City of Philadelphia is located in the southeastern corner of Pennsylvania, in the Mid-Atlantic region of the US. It lies in the busy Northeast corridor about 100 miles southwest of New York City, 130 miles northeast of Washington, and 65 miles inland of the Atlantic Ocean.

The University of Pennsylvania is located in the University City district of Philadelphia, adjacent to the Center City or downtown district. These two areas are well served by airlines, interstate and regional rail carriers, interstate highways, and local transportation providers. They offer a variety of lodging and diversions for overnight visits.

For arrival by air, the closest airport is Philadelphia International Airport, about nine miles south of campus. Alternative airports include Newark International (Newark, NJ, 85 miles), Baltimore-Washington International (Baltimore, MD, 109 miles), JFK International (Jamaica, NY, 105 miles), and La Guardia (Flushing, NY, 105 miles).

For arrival by train, including Amtrak, SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority), or NJT (New Jersey Transit), your final station stop is 30th Street Station, a few blocks from the Lab. Amtrak is especially convenient for origins along the Northeast Corridor between Boston, MA, and Washington, DC. SEPTA's regional lines serve the Pennsylvania suburbs of Philadelphia. They connect to NJT in Trenton, NJ, northeast of the City. The NJT connection continues to Newark, NJ, and New York City. SEPTA also extends south of the City to Wilmington, DE. Visitors from South Jersey may also take the NJT Atlantic City line into 30th Street Station or the PATCO line into Center City.

For arrival by car, major interstate arteries to Philadelphia include the Pennsylvania Turnpike (comprising I-76, I-276, I-476), I-95, and the New Jersey Turnpike with I-295. Typically, the Schuylkill Expressway branch of I-76 provides your final approach to University City with exits only a few blocks from the Lab.