Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), owned and operated by the Philadelphia Department of Aviation, is located in Philadelphia / Tincum Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It is the busiest airport in Pennsylvania and offers services to over 28 million passengers annually. PHL is one of the largest hubs for American Airlines, a regional cargo hub for UPS Airlines, and the operating base for Frontier Airlines.
Philadelphia Airport History
1925 and 1927
In 1925, the present PHL Airport site was used as a training airfield and in 1927, Charles Lindbergh dedicated the site as the Philadelphia Municipal Airport.
1940
The National Weather Service used the weather station at PHL as the official point for Philadelphia weather observations and records on June 20, 1940.
1943
I Fighter Command transferred the jurisdiction of PHL Airport to the Air Technical Service Command (ATSC) in June 1943. ATSC established a sub-depot of the Middletown Air Depot at the airport.
1945
The airport returned to civil control in September 1945. As American Overseas Airlines started direct flights to Europe, Philadelphia Municipal became Philadelphia International Airport.
1953, 1970, 1973 and 1977
1953 – A new terminal opened
1970 – Terminal B/C modernization was completed
1973 – Terminal D opened
1977 – Terminal E opened
2003
US Airways became PHL Airport’s dominant carrier in the 1980s and 1990s. In 2003, US Airways transferred most of its hub operations from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia.
2013
PHL Airport became the largest international hub of US Airways.
Mid 2000s
The airport’s passenger traffic increased to record levels since the airport was recognized as an international gateway and a major hub for American Airlines, and also due to the growth of Southwest Airlines and other low-cost carriers.
2019
Extended Runway 27L was opened (1,500 feet to 12,000 feet) on November 14, 2019, after a five-year project.
Future expansion plans
- PHL is funded by the FAA Airport Terminal Program grant, which involves a multi-year $15 million project to renovate and expand the airport’s restroom facilities.
The program includes the construction of two new restrooms, 49 gender-neutral restrooms, three adult assisted care restrooms, four service animal relief areas, five lactation suites, and the upgrade of 30 existing restrooms in agreement with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocated $20.4 million in federal funds to the airport in 2024 for performing HVAC and electrical system repairs at different terminals, baggage claims, ticket areas, and pedestrian bridges.
Where is PHL Airport?
PHL Airport is located seven miles away from the city’s downtown area. The exact airport address is 8500 Essington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19153.
PHL Airport Map
Have a look at the PHL Airport map and find out the location of different PHL terminals, onsite parking facilities, pickup & drop-off locations, and the various transportation options.
PHL Parking
Philadelphia Airport Parking has multiple parking lots that offer onsite parking. You can find Short Term Parking, Garage Parking, the Advantage® Aviator® Mastercard® Parking, and Economy parking at the onsite lots. Other than the onsite options, there are several offsite parking options near the PHL Airport, which you can book through GlobalAirportParking.com.
Public Transportation
Train
SEPTA offers train service between Center City and PHL Airport on the Airport Regional Rail Line.
Operating Hours
On Weekdays (runs every 30 minutes)
From Center City to Airport: 4:13 am to 11:03 pm
From Airport to Center City: 5:07 am to 12:07 am
On Weekends (runs hourly)
From Center City to Airport: 5:13 am to 11:13 pm
From Airport to Center City: 6:07 am to 12:07 am
Stations
- Terminals A-East, B, C/D, and E/F
- Eastwick
- Penn Medicine
- 30th Street
- Suburban
- Jefferson
- Temple
Note: All these stations are wheelchair accessible
Fare
Payments can be made using a SEPTA Key card. To get the SEPTA Key card, you should go to the airport kiosks or any Center City train station.
Accepted modes of payment at the kiosks: Cash, tokens, credit, debit, Google Pay, Apple Pay, & Samsung Pay.
You can also use your credit or debit cards to make payments onboard if you don’t have time to stop at the kiosk, but in that case, you will be charged extra.
Normal Fare: $6.75
If paid using credit/debit card: $8
Bus
PHL Airport has three SEPTA bus routes, which are:
- Route 37: From South Philadelphia to Chester, Pa.
- Route 108: From the PHL Airport to 69th Street Transportation Center.
- Route 115: From the PHL Airport to Delaware County Community College.
Location
All these bus routes are outside of baggage claim, in Zone 1 of the Arrivals Road.
Fare
Single-ride transit fare: $2.50 (exact change only)
If paid using a SEPTA Key card: $2.
Other Transportation Options
Various other transportation options available at PHL Airport are:
- Rental cars: Car rental pickups occur at Zone 2 on Arrivals Road.
- Taxi Services: You can get taxicabs at Zone 5 on the S. Commercial Roadway.
- Ride Share: Lyft, Uber, and other app-based rideshare services are available at PHL Airport. The pickup zones are located outside of each Baggage claim on the S. Commercial Road.
How to get to PHL Airport
From Center City, Philadelphia
- Head west on Ludlow St toward S Clifton St.
- You should then turn right onto S 11th St.
- Again, take a right at the 1st cross street onto Market St.
- You should then use the left lane to take the ramp onto I-95 S.
- Then, merge with I-95 S and take exit 12A-B for PA-291 toward Cargo City.
- Use the left pane and keep left to reach PHL Airport.
From Delaware
- Take Rd 384 and Carpenter Bridge Rd to DE-1 N.
- Continue on DE-1 N.
- Take I-95 N to PA-291 E/Gov Printz Blvd in Tinicum Township.
- Take exit 10 from I-95 N.
- Follow PA-291 E/Gov Printz Blvd to Industrial Hwy to reach PHL Airport.
Amenities
Here are the various amenities at PHL:
- Animal Relief Areas
- ATMs
- Charging Stations
- Free WiFi
- Kids Corner
- Lost & Found
- Lounges
- Nursing Stations
- PHL Wingmate Pass
Hotels near Philadelphia Airport
Here are some of the Philadelphia Airport hotels:
Address: 600 N Governor Printz Blvd, Lester, PA 19029
Distance from PHL Airport: 1.2 miles
Fairfield Inn by Marriott Philadelphia Airport
Address: 8800 Bartram Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19153
Distance from PHL Airport: 1.3 miles
Hampton Inn PHL Airport
Address: 8600 Bartram Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19153
Distance from PHL Airport: 1.4 miles
Sheraton Suites Philadelphia Airport
Address: 4101 B Island Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19153
Distance from PHL Airport: 1.6 miles
DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia Airport
Address: 4509 Island Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19153
Distance from PHL Airport: 2 miles
Address: 49 Industrial Hwy, Essington, PA 19029
Distance from PHL Airport: 2.7 miles
La Quinta Inn & Suites PHL Airport
Address: 53 Industrial Hwy, Essington, PA 19029
Distance from PHL Airport: 2.8 miles
Travelodge by Wyndham Essington Airport
Address: 43 Industrial Hwy, Essington, PA 19029
Distance from PHL Airport: 2.8 miles
Wyndham Garden Philadelphia Airport
Address: 45 Industrial Hwy, Essington, PA 19029
Distance from PHL Airport: 2.8 miles
PHL Airport Lounges
Here are the different lounge options at PHL where you can sit back and relax while you wait for your flight:
- American Airlines Admirals Club: At Terminal A-East, Terminal A-West, Terminal B/C Connector, and Terminal F
- American Express Centurion Lounge: At Terminal A-West
- British Airways Galleries Club Lounge: At Terminal A-West
- Delta SkyClub: At Terminal D/E Connector
- United Club: At Terminal C/D Link
- Minute Suites: At Terminal A/B Link
- Be Relax Spa: At Terminal C Gate 18
Philadelphia Airport Food and Dining
There are several restaurants at the six terminals at PHL Airport. Here are a few Philadelphia Airport food options:
| Terminal | Restaurant |
| A |
|
| B |
|
| B/C Connector |
|
| C |
|
| D |
|
| D/E Connector |
|
| E |
|
| F |
|
PHL Airport Shops and Stores
Here are a few shops located at the different terminals at PHL Airport:
| Terminal | Restaurant |
| A |
|
| B |
|
| B/C Connector |
|
| C |
|
| D |
|
| D/E Connector |
|
| E |
|
| F |
|
Accessible Services
- For wheelchair or other accessibility assistance, you can contact your airline directly.
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will help transition passengers through PHL’s security checkpoints.
- TSA Cares offers help for travelers with medical conditions, disabilities, and other special circumstances during the security screening process. For more information, you can contact (855) 787-2227.
To arrange for any assistance during the security screening process or to ask any doubts regarding screening policies, procedures, and what to expect at the security checkpoint, you can contact TSA Cares a minimum of 72 hours before your trip or use their online form.
- Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard: This program was launched to increase awareness and accessibility for people with non-visible disabilities such as memory loss, anxiety, or others.
- Sorenson BuzzCards App helps people enhance their communication by helping them type a message and show it to others to whom they wish to communicate.
- Visual Paging: Through this system, you can visually convey your information by broadcasting it over the public address system.
These are just a few of the accessible services available at the PHL Airport. You can find even more at the airport.
Lost and Found
- PHL’s Lost and Found is located in the Airport Operations Center. At the Airport Operations Center, you can get items that you lost in the terminals, restrooms, and concessions. The center is open from 8:00 am till midnight. You can contact them at 215-937-6888 or email them at [email protected].
- For items left on aircraft and for lost suitcases, you should contact the airline.
- For items lost at one of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints, you should contact the TSA’s Lost and Found at the airport by emailing them at [email protected].
The hours of operation of TSA’s Lost and Found are from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, available from Sunday through Saturday.
Airport Check-in Time
The PHL Airport check-in time will depend on your airline. It is a general rule that you should reach the airport two hours before your scheduled flight departure time if you are a domestic traveler and three hours before if you are an international traveler.
TSA PreCheck
TSA Pre-Check lanes are present in Terminals A-East, C, and D/E.
Operating hours
Terminal A-East: 4:15 am to 5 pm
Terminal C (TSA Pre-Check only): 4:30 am to 8 pm
At Terminal D/E: 3:45 am to 11:55 pm
Security checkpoints other than TSA Pre-Check lanes are:
Terminal A-West: 5:15 am to 10:15 pm
Terminal B: 3:45 am to 9:15 pm
At Terminal F: 4:30 am to 9:15 pm
Security checkpoint hours at Terminal A-East are from 4:15 am to 8:15 pm, while its TSA Pre-Check hours are mentioned above.
Attractions Near PHL Airport
Here are some of the tourist destinations near PHL Airport:
- The Market (6.3 miles)
- JFK Plaza or Love Park (9.7 miles)
- Museum of the American Revolution (9.8 miles)
- Liberty Bell (10 miles)
- Independence Hall (10 miles)
- Museum of Art (12.6 miles)
Philadelphia Airport FAQs
How big is Philadelphia Airport?
Philadelphia Airport is pretty big, as it covers 2,302 acres and has four runways.
How many airports are there in Philadelphia?
There are several airports in Philadelphia. Some of these include Philadelphia International Airport, Northeast Philadelphia Airport, Wings Field, and Trenton-Mercer Airport.
Where is Philadelphia International Airport?
Philadelphia International Airport is located in Philadelphia / Tincum Township, Delaware County. The location address is 8500 Essington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19153.
How do you get from Philadelphia Airport to Downtown?
You can get from Philadelphia Airport to Downtown via I-95 South or I-76 East by means of a train, bus, or taxi.
Can you walk to all the terminals at Philadelphia Airport?
Yes, you can walk between the airport terminals at Philadelphia Airport.
How early should I get to Philadelphia Airport?
You should reach at least 2 hours before the scheduled time of departure of your domestic flight. If it is an international flight, you should reach the airport at least 3 hours before your international flight.
