Philadelphia

History, art and cheesesteaks collide

Philadelphia stands out as a city where American history and modern life connect clearly. The streets carry stories from the nation’s founding, with landmarks like Independence Hall marking key moments in 1776. Today, neighborhoods showcase diverse communities alongside new restaurants, art spaces and parks. Public transit makes it easy to reach different parts of town without relying on cars. Walking through Philadelphia feels direct – each block offers signs of culture, food options and places where locals gather, creating a clear picture of everyday urban life in the United States.

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City in United States

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.8

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	9

Read details

5/5

English is universally spoken and all signage is in English. Spanish is also common in some neighborhoods. Tourists will have no problem communicating or finding information in English.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Philadelphia Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
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Read how our scores work

Strong for American history and museums. Visit independence landmarks, explore art collections, enjoy famous local food and walk historic neighborhoods.

Place score

7.2

Best at:

Museums

Historic sites

Walkable

Fine dining

Local cuisine

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

❤️ 7

Couples

United States – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary.
Etiquette:	Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated.

Thanksgiving (November)	A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges.
Independence Day (July)	Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide.
Christmas (December)	Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Helpful links:	Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine
Other:	The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Philadelphia, United States

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	May - July, Sep. - Oct.
Shoulder season:	April, Aug., Nov. - Dec.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

4 July weekend draws huge crowds to the historic district; Philadelphia's Independence Day events are a major national draw

Many historic sites, such as Independence Hall, require timed tickets, booked ahead from March to October

Don't miss

🔔 Visit the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall
🥪 Eat a Philly cheesesteak from Pat's or Geno's
🎨 Stroll through the Philadelphia Museum of Art and run the Rocky Steps
🍽️ Explore Reading Terminal Market's diverse food stalls
🏘️ Walk along the historic Elfreth's Alley
🌳 Relax in Fairmount Park by the Schuylkill River

You've been here?

Why travel to Philadelphia?

If you love history, Philly is a must: Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell are just the start, with countless museums and landmarks to explore. But the city’s vibe is what really hooks you – colorful murals, buzzing markets like Reading Terminal and a music and nightlife scene that’s always evolving. There’s always something new, with major events, exhibitions and a welcoming, no-nonsense spirit. Just be ready for a city that’s big and lively – some areas can feel gritty and you’ll want to be street-smart, especially at night or outside the main tourist zones.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Independence Hall
This historic site features Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was adopted. The building stands as a symbol of American democracy, surrounded by gardens and historical markers that tell the story of the nation's founding.
2 Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art stands as a cultural landmark in the city, featuring world-class exhibitions and historic architecture that draws visitors from around the globe to explore its rich collections.
3 Eastern State Penitentiary
This historic Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia stands as a powerful symbol of American justice and architecture. Its crumbling walls tell stories of confinement, while guided tours offer a haunting glimpse into the past within this iconic landmark.
4 Barnes Foundation
5 Liberty Bell Center
6 Betsy Ross House
7 Philadelphia City Hall
8 Elfreth's Alley
9 Franklin Institute

🎡Places for activities

1 Penn Museum
2 Philadelphia Zoo
3 Love Park
4 Philadelphia's Magic Gardens
5 Boathouse Row
6 Schuylkill River Trail
7 Spruce Street Harbor Park

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 West Fairmount Park
2 Rittenhouse Square
3 Pennypack Park
4 Clarence H. Clark Park
5 John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
6 Franklin Square
7 Wissahickon Valley Park
8 Schuylkill River
9 Bartram's Garden
10 Belmont Plateau

🛍️Shopping

1 Reading Terminal Market
A historic market in Reading, Pennsylvania, featuring fresh produce and artisanal goods. The terminal offers a vibrant atmosphere for locals and tourists alike, providing an authentic glimpse into regional culinary traditions and community commerce.
2 Fashion District Philadelphia
3 The Shops at Liberty Place
4 Philadelphia Mills
5 Chestnut Street
6 Italian market

🎈Events

FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Wawa Welcome America Festival
Philadelphia Flower Show
Made in America Festival
Philadelphia Marathon
Mummers Parade
Odunde Festival
Philadelphia Film Festival
FringeArts Festival
Christmas Village

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Book Independence Hall early; timed tickets often sell out.
Use SEPTA and walkable neighborhoods; driving and parking downtown can be frustrating and costly.
Try Reading Terminal Market at off-hours; lunchtime crowds make lines and seating tough.
Do the Art Museum “Rocky Steps” at sunrise, then loop along the Schuylkill River Trail.

How to travel to Philadelphia

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has direct flights across the US and internationally. Amtrak’s 30th Street Station is a major rail hub and intercity buses connect Philly to New York, DC and beyond. Highways make driving in easy, but parking can be pricey downtown.

Access summary

From Philadelphia Airport (PHL): SEPTA Airport Line train to Center City, ~20–30 minutes.
From New York City: Amtrak/NJ Transit trains, generally around 1.5–2 hours.
From Washington, D.C.: Amtrak Northeast Regional/Acela, usually 2–2.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Philadelphia

Philadelphia offers everything from luxury hotels near Rittenhouse Square to boutique stays in Old City and budget options around Center City. Book early for big events. Most major attractions are easily reached from central hotels.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square

9.0

Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District

8.5

Club Quarters Hotel in Philadelphia

8.6

The Windsor Suites

9.0

Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square

8.4

Cambria Hotel Philadelphia Downtown - Center City

8.8

The Warwick Hotel Rittenhouse Square Philadelphia

8.3

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Mt. Laurel - Philadelphia

8.5

Apple Hostels of Philadelphia

8.9

The Grand Laurel Hotel

8.0

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Philadelphia

Center City is walkable and great for exploring on foot. SEPTA buses, subways and trolleys cover most neighborhoods, but service can be spotty late at night. Rideshares and taxis are widely available. Expect to walk a lot – distances between major attractions can be longer than they look.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+6 %

Daily expenses in Philadelphia are around 6% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend more on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£61	£181	£383
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£19	£93	£134
🍝 Food per day	£36	£81	£224
🚕 Transportation per day	£7	£7	£24

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£34
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£17
🍟 Fast food combo	£9.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£13
☕ Cappuccino	£3.80
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.60

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.90
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£14
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.65

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£11.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£65
🤧 Cold medication	£7
💇 Basic haircut	£22

Safety information overview

General safety

Philadelphia is generally safe in tourist areas, especially during the day. Some neighborhoods have higher crime — stick to Center City, Old City and museum districts and stay alert at night. Avoid isolated areas after dark.

Health & Medical

Medical care is high quality and hospitals are centrally located. Pharmacies are easy to find. No special vaccinations are needed. Summer heat and winter cold can be intense, so dress appropriately.

Accessibility

Most major attractions, hotels and transit are accessible, but some historic sites have stairs or cobblestones. Sidewalks can be uneven. Public transport offers accessible options, but check ahead for specific needs.

Tap water

Tap water is safe and widely available. Bring a reusable bottle — public fountains are common in parks and museums. Hydration is important, especially in summer.

Packing recommendations for Philadelphia

📷

Camera

👟

Comfortable walking shoes

Reusable water bottle

Universal travel adaptor

💳

Credit card with no foreign transaction fees

Nearby recommended places

New York City

Washington, D.C.

Baltimore

Pennsylvania

New Jersey

New York (state)

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