Getting to Philadelphia

By Air

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is serviced by most major airlines and is a hub for US Airways.

To get to the Preconference accommodations from the airport, attendees have several options:

• Lady Liberty Shuttle serves the conference hotel and the dormitories for $10/person. Reservations are not required and shuttles depart the airport approximately every 10-15 minutes. Call (215) 724-8888 or visit their website for more information. Approximate travel time is 20-30 minutes.

• SEPTA Regional Rail R1 service departs multiple airport terminals every 30 minutes. One-way fare to Center City is $7.00/person payable in cash on board the train. Attendees headed to the Doubletree Hotel should get off the train at Suburban Station; those headed to the dorms at Drexel should get off at 30th Street Station. Approximate travel time is 30 minutes. Schedule for R1 is available online.

• Taxis are available from the roadway outside baggage claim areas and charge a flat rate of $28.50/trip to both Preconference accommodations. Approximate travel time is 20-30 minutes.

• For the really adventurous, $2.75 in bus fare will take you on the 37 bus, with the opportunity to transfer at Snyder Avenue to the Broad Street Subway (orange line) or the C bus, both of which run directly up Broad Street to Locust Street where the Doubletree Hotel is located. Be aware, the neighborhood at Broad and Snyder is fairly gritty. Approximate travel time is one hour. For schedules, please see SEPTA’s website.

For additional information about ground transportation to and from the airport, please visit the airport website at http://www.phl.org/ground_transportation.html.

By Train

Several Amtrak routes stop at Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station.

The station, located at 2955 Market Street, is about six blocks away from the dormitory accommodations.

To get to the Doubletree Hotel from Amtrak, attendees are encouraged to either:

• Take the Market-Frankford Subway (blue line) one stop east to Suburban Station, then walk to hotel. Fare is $2.00 exact change (or $2.90 for two tokens) and trains come regularly every 5 minutes or so.

• Take a taxi for approximately $6-8 plus tip.

For train reservations, please visit Amtrak’s website at: http://www.amtrak.com/.

By Bus

Greyhound Bus Lines provides service to Philadelphia and the depot is located at 1001 Filbert Street, approximately 10 blocks from the Doubletree Hotel. For reservations, please visit Greyhound’s website at: http://www.greyhound.com/home/.

BoltBus is another transportation option for travelers coming from the Northeast Corridor cities of Boston, New York, Baltimore, or Washington, D.C. The BoltBus stop is located at 30th & Market Streets, near the dormitory accommodations and Amtrak’s 30th Street Station. To buy tickets, see: https://www.boltbus.com/.

By Car

Interstate highways leading to Philadelphia include I-95 and I-76 and their connected routes.

Driving directions to the Doubletree Hotel

• from New York, New Jersey, and points North/East via NJ Turnpike

  Take NJ Turnpike South to exit 4 (Philadelphia/Camden Exit). Bear right at the exit and take 73 North to 38 West. Follow signs to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge ($4 toll). Once over the bridge follow signs for 676 West. Take 676 West to the Broad Street/Central Philadelphia exit onto 15th Street heading South. Take 15th Street about 7 blocks and make a left turn onto Locust Street. Take Locust one block to Broad Street, the hotel is located directly in front of you at the corner of Broad and Locust Streets.

  • from Washington, D.C. and points South

    Take I-95 North passed the Philadelphia International Airport following the signs to the Broad Street exit. Take Broad Street North and follow Broad Street for about 3 miles to Locust Street. The hotel is on the corner of Broad and Locust.

  • from Harrisburg and points West

  Take Pennsylvania Turnpike East to exit 24 (Valley Forge). Get onto 76 East following signs to Central Philadelphia. Take I-676 East (Vine Street Expressway) to the Broad St. exit and make a right onto 15th Street. Follow 15th Street about 7 blocks to Locust Street and make a left onto Locust. Go one block to Broad St. and the hotel is on the corner.

Most major car rental companies have locations in Philadelphia.

Enterprise and Hertz have locations within walking distance of the Doubletree Hotel.

Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National have locations at Amtrak’s 30th Street Station, near the dormitory accommodations.

A list of car rental companies available at the airport is provided here: http://www.phl.org/rental_cars.html.

Getting Around Philadelphia

Center City is pedestrian-friendly, with many restaurants and attractions located within blocks of the Doubletree Hotel. To download a detailed map of downtown Philadelphia, please click here.

When walking is not an option, taxis are abundant and easy to come by. There is a taxi stand at the Doubletree’s entrance. Some taxis accept credit cards, but it is always best to ask before getting in the vehicle.

Public transportation is provided by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), which runs bus, subway, and rail service to virtually all parts of the city and surrounding suburbs. Schedules, system maps, and fare information are available at their website: [link to: http://www.septa.org/]. The Port Authority Transit Company (PATCO) provides service across the Delaware River to New Jersey.

The “Phlash” bus makes 27 stops at key visitor locations in Center City. Riders may purchase a $5 day-pass or pay $2 each trip. Further information is available at: http://www.visitphilly.com/tours/philadelphia/phlash/.

General Tourist Information

For more information on Philadelphia and all its offerings, check out the official tourism site for the region: http://www.visitphilly.com/. Here, you will find useful information on accommodations, events, attractions, dining, nightlife, and history.

The official visitor center for Philadelphia provides information about reserving tickets for attractions and tours, such as Independence Hall: http://www.independencevisitorcenter.com/

Other useful websites are:

http://www.philadelphiausa.travel

http://www.uwishunu.com/

For information about the specific area of the Doubletree hotel, see: www.midtownvillage.org and www.centercityphila.org

Explore more events and attractions with PhillyFunGuide -- There's lots more history in Philadelphia, and culture, and things that are just plain fun.

ALL RARE BOOK AND MANUSCRIPT LIBRARIES, ALL THE TIME!

• PACSCL Member Libraries: http://www.pacscl.org/about/map
• Download PACSCL's brochure in Adobe Acrobat format

Getting to Washington D.C.

http://www.ala.org/ala/conferencesevents/upcoming/annual/index.cfm

By Train

Amtrak

Attendees who register for Friday’s “Delaware Day” tour will have the option of being dropped off at Wilmington, DE Amtrak station where they can make a connection to D.C.

By Bus

BoltBus
Megabus
Greyhound