Getting Around

Penn Transit provides a comprehensive transportation system on and around campus within specific boundaries. Popular routes include Penn Bus East & Penn Bus West, which are available for all PennCard holders Monday through Friday, 5pm - 12midnight.

The SEPTA website has information on public transportation including buses, trolleys, commuter rail trains, subways, and LUCY (the Loop through University City).

There are multiple ways to travel to NYC. One inexpensive way is through SEPTA and New Jersey Transit. Take SEPTA's Trenton Line regional rail train to Trenton, NJ then change to New Jersey Transit train, which will take you to New York Penn Station.  

Amtrak trains can also take you to NYC or Washington (or beyond), however these trains are significantly more expensive.

Buses are often a cheaper option for travel to NYC or Washington. Options to explore include, but are not limited to: Bolt Bus, Greyhound and Chinatown buses.  Check travel time and cost in advance.

See the Travel and Pre-arrival sections for more information about domestic and international travel.

There are many Philadelphia taxi companies listed online. A trip from campus to Center City by taxi costs between $8 to $13 and you should tip the driver 15%. It is a good idea to take a taxi or ridesharing service like Lyft or Uber if you must travel late at night and your route does not fall within the boundaries of Penn Transit.

If you plan to be in Philadelphia for more than a year, you may consider applying for a PA Driver's License, which will allow you to drive in the US. A driver's license will also enable you to rent a car in the US. 

For details on obtaining your Driver's License/State ID Card visit the PA Driver's License section of this site.