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Getting to Philadelphia
Philadelphia is located at the heart of the country’s densest public transportation network along the Northeast corridor so it’s pretty easy to get around carfree. Occupy Peace will be held downtown and parking is very difficult to find. Participants are encouraged to utilize public transportation wherever possible.
Coming in by air
Philadelphia is served by Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). http://www.phl.org/
From the airport, the options for transportation are taxi, shuttle or train. There is a flat fee of $25 for both Center City and University City for taxis. I recommend Lady Liberty Shuttle www.ladylibertyshuttle.com ($10/person for Center City and University City) but you can choose any shuttle service based on the information provided at Ground Transportation in the airport. Philadelphia’s public transportation authority SEPTA runs a train from the Airport which is very convenient. The R1 Airport Line train runs every half hour from 5:00AM to just after midnight. The fare is $7.00 on board at all times (there is no peak and off-peak as there is on other regional trains). To disembark closest to the site of Occupy Peace, get off at Suburban Station which is about five minutes’ walk from Friends Center and Arch Street UMC and the Mexican Post. More information about the Airport Line here http://www.septa.org/welcome/airport.html
If you fly into Newark (EWR) www.panynj.gov/airports/newark-liberty.html, take the AirTrain to Newark Liberty International Train Station to board an Amtrak or New Jersey Transit train to Philadelphia. When you buy a NJ TRANSIT or Amtrak ticket to or from Newark Liberty International Airport Station, that one ticket includes the AirTrain Newark portion, which is $5.50. You must use your ticket twice regardless of which direction you’re traveling. You’ll need to show the ticket to the conductor on the NJ TRANSIT or Amtrak train, and you’ll need the ticket to pass through the fare line at Newark Liberty International Airport Station. Be sure to take the ticket with you. If you choose the cheaper option – NJ TRANSIT – you will have to switch trains at the Trenton Transit Center en route to Philadelphia. Amtrak is more expensive, but the service is direct and quicker. Both NJTRANSIT and Amtrak stop at 30th Street Station.
Coming in by Train
Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station is served by Amtrak www.amtrak.com and NJTRANSIT www.njtransit.com. It is about a mile’s walk to Friends Center and Arch Street UMC or the Mexican Post or a five minute taxi ride. There are also public transportation options. 30th Street SEPTA station is an accessible station. Once you arrive at 30th Street, if you choose not to walk or take a taxi, you can also exit the main train station, cross 30th Street and board a SEPTA train or trolley at the 30th Street SEPTA underground station. Service is available by El train (Blue Line) to 15th Street (City Hall Station). City Hall Station/Suburban Station/15th Street is the closest station to Friends Center and Arch Street UMC and the Mexican Post. Trolley service is available to 22nd, 19th, 15th and 13th Street stations and might be useful depending on where your overnight accommodation is. If you are staying in University City/West Philly, the trolleys (Green Line) and the El serve those areas, as well. The El serves East Center City at 13th, 11th, 8th, 5th and 2nd Streets and the areas of Fishtown, Kensington, Northern Liberties, Frankford and the Lower Northeast. The Broad Street Subway (Orange Line) serves North and South Philly. One-way fare is $2 cash and $1 for a transfer. You can buy tokens (minimum 2) for $1.30 each from machines at 15th Street (City Hall), 30th Street Station and 13th Street Station. There is free interchange between the Orange, Blue and Green Lines at 30th Street, 15th Street (City Hall) and 13th Street. Additionally, Regional Rail lines stop at Suburban Station (adjacent to City Hall Station at 15th Street).
More information about SEPTA available here http://www.septa.org/
Coming in by bus
Philadelphia is serviced by a number of low-cost bus companies.
Megabus – Except for one NYC line, the Megabus bus stop is across the street from 30th St (train) Station. See instructions above for details on how to get to the conference from 30th St Station. Megabus.com
Greyhound – The Greyhound bus station (1001 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107) is within walking distance of Friends Center and Arch Street UMC. Greyhound.com
Peter Pan – Operates via the Greyhound bus station (1001 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107) is within walking distance of Friends Center and Arch Street UMC. Peterpanbus.com
Bus Lines with limited direct routes through Philadelphia
Bolt Bus (via New York City, NY) – The Bolt bus stop is across the street from 30th St (train) Station. See “By train” for details on transit to the conference venue from 30th St Station. Boltbus.com
Apex Bus (via New York City, NY, Washington DC) – The main Apex bus stop (1015 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107) is within walking distance of Friends Center and Arch Street UMC. Apex also operates to a couple of other locations in town. Apexbus.com
Driving Directions to Friends Center and Parking
From the New Jersey Turnpike exit the New Jersey turnpike at Exit 4. Follow Route 73 North to the merger with Route 90. Take Route 90 across the Betsy Ross Bridge and follow signs to I-95 south to Philadelphia. Then follow the directions below to Friends Center from I-95.
From either 1-95 or I-76 take the I-676 Vine Street Expressway
I-676 Eastbound exit to the right for Broad Street/Central Philadelphia. At the end of the ramp turn right onto 15th Street heading south. Friends Center is two blocks ahead on the right. Turn left into the parking lot just past Race Street.
I-676 Westbound exit to the right for Broad Street/Central Philadelphia. At the end of the ramp, you will be on 15th Street headed south. Friends Center is two blocks ahead on the right. Turn left into the parking lot just past Race Street.
Parking
Discounted parking is available on the east side of 15th Street, between Race & Cherry Street. Take your parking ticket with you, and ask the Friends Center receptionist to stamp it for the validated parking rate of $9.00 for the day. There is no validated parking for Saturday at Arch Street UMC.
