They say half the fun is just getting there, but when air travel is involved, you might believe otherwise. Here's a step-by-step guide to get your from the Philadelphia International Airport to wherever you're headed in Center City — fast. 

Rather just hit the hay? Here are 11 hotels near the Philadelphia International Airport.

• Public transportation 

Philadelphia's public transit system, SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority), offers two modes of transport from the airport to Center City Philadelphia: bus and train (Regional Rail).


 Regional Rail is arguably the more convenient option out of the two, as the route — referred to as the Airport Line (see train schedule here) — makes just two intermediary stops between the airport terminals and Philly's three major Center City stations: 30th Street Station, Suburban Station and Jefferson Station (formerly Market East). Depending on where you're boarding and deboarding, the ride takes between 15 and 30 minutes.

Trains depart from PHL every 30 minutes between the hours of 5:09 a.m. and 12:09 a.m., seven days a week. To get to the Airport Line platforms, head toward the pedestrian walkways that connect the terminals to baggage claim. The Airport Line stops at Terminals A-East, B, C, D and E. There's no walkway connecting Terminal F to bag claim, so Terminal F passengers are to use the Terminal E Airport Line platform.

That brings us to your other option: traveling by SEPTA bus. This might not be the best mode of transport for travelers in a hurry (buses make frequent stops), but it certainly is the more economical option: SEPTA bus fares costs just $2.25 one way.

(Bring exact fare; bus drivers don't give change.) SEPTA's bus routes 37, 108 and 115 stop at Philadelphia International Airport, and they can be boarded outside baggage claim at all terminals A-East through E. (Terminal F passengers board the bus outside Terminal E.)  View SEPTA bus schedules here.

• Taxi

Center City is a little more than 7 miles northwest of the airport, so your cab ride won't take too long. However, a cab ride into Center City is your most expensive option, with a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $28.50. (Taxi fares are regulated by the Philadelphia Parking Authority and priced per cab, not the number of passengers, so your ride should never cost more than $28.50 when traveling from PHL into Center City.) Hail a cab at Zone 5 on the Commercial Transportation Roadway.

Nota bene: Travelers with disabilities can also refer to the PHL brochure Getting Around PHL: a guide for travelers with disabilities (PDF file).