Traveling from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Washington, D.C. by train is a convenient and comfortable choice. But what’s the best way to get to an Amtrak station? You have two main options: heading to William H. Gray III 30th Street Station in Philadelphia or taking a slight detour to Wilmington Station in Delaware. In this guide, we’ll walk you through both routes, comparing the pros and cons, costs, and travel times to help you choose the option that best suits your schedule and budget.
Option 1: William H. Gray III 30th Street Station, Philadelphia
Directions:
- From Philadelphia International Airport (PHL):
- Take the SEPTA Regional Rail Airport Line directly from any terminal at PHL.
- The train runs every 30 minutes and takes about 20-25 minutes to reach William H. Gray III 30th Street Station.
- From there, you can catch an Amtrak train to Washington, D.C.
Pros:
- Direct train service from the airport: No need to change transportation modes, making it a more straightforward option.
- Frequent SEPTA trains: With regular service, you won’t have to wait long for the next train.
- Proximity to Center City Philadelphia: If you have time to kill, you can easily explore downtown Philadelphia from 30th Street Station.
Cons:
- Longer commute to DC: Amtrak trains from Philadelphia take slightly longer to reach Washington, D.C., compared to Wilmington.
- More expensive: Philly departures tend to be pricier than Wilmington because the trip covers more distance.
Option 2: Wilmington Station, Delaware
Directions:
Step 1: Take SEPTA Route 37 Bus
- From Philadelphia Airport, you can board the SEPTA Route 37 bus, which services all airport terminals.
- This bus runs through South Philadelphia, making its way to Chester Transportation Center.
- The ride from PHL to Chester Transportation Center takes around 40-50 minutes, depending on traffic.
Step 2: Transfer to DART First State Bus to Wilmington
- Once at Chester Transportation Center, you can transfer to a DART First State Bus heading to Wilmington.
- The Route 13 bus runs between Chester and Wilmington.
- The bus ride to Wilmington Station takes about 40 minutes.
Pros:
- Cheaper option: Buses are much cheaper than the SEPTA and Amtrak train options.
- Accessible stops: You can access multiple bus stops and might avoid train station crowds.
Cons:
- Longer travel time: This method is considerably slower, with travel times often exceeding 1.5 to 2 hours.
- More complex transfers: You will have to coordinate two different bus schedules and wait times between transfers.
- Less frequent service: Buses may run less frequently than the train, meaning you’ll need to check schedules carefully.
Conclusion:
The cheapest option is typically taking an Amtrak train from Wilmington Station to Washington, D.C. Wilmington fares are often lower compared to William H. Gray III 30th Street Station in Philadelphia.
The fastest option for getting to D.C. is also generally from Wilmington, as the trip to D.C. is slightly shorter than from Philadelphia.
However, getting to Wilmington Station involves an extra transfer or longer travel time from the airport compared to going directly to 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. So, while Wilmington is faster for the Amtrak journey, Philadelphia might save you time overall due to easier transit from the airport.