Yet another

shares helpful guidance for exploring an iconic destination

a clock tower in the middle of a city

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While the metropolis commonly known as the Big Apple offers much, the City of Brotherly Love holds uniqueness, so taking an NYC toPhiladelphia day excursion proves wise.

We resided in the Philadelphia area for five years, so we’ve taken several day trips up to New York and back to Philly, since Philadelphia is one of the cities near NYC. If you’re going to visit Manhattan, it’s worth taking some time to get down to Philadelphia and experience this amazing city. It’s one of the best day trips from NYC.

a painting of a train on the side of a building

Luckily, there are multiple straightforward means of traveling from NYC to Philadelphia, ranging from public transportation and day tours to self-driving. Please don`t worry because I`ll cover all the options so you can select the method that suits your budget, schedule, and preferences.

So, if you’re ready to start planning your day trip from NYC to Philadelphia, let’s get started!

Guide to the best day trip from NYC to Philadelphia

To assist you in planning the ideal Philadelphia day trip from NYC, I’m sharing everything necessary to learn, such as how to get there and what to see during your visit. By the conclusion of this guide, you’ll have a improved understanding of whether you want to take a bus, ride a train, or drive from NYC to Philly.

How far is Philadelphia from New York?

With that, you’re ready to plan your night out in the Big Apple! Be sure to refer to this NYC tourist map highlighting the NYC evening activities discussed.

How to get to Philadelphia from NYC

If you want to take a daylong outing from NYC to Philadelphia, there are several ways to do so. As previously stated, you can make the drive from New York City to Philadelphia either using your own vehicle or by renting a car. Another option is using public transit such as trains or buses. Without question, this is one of the most inexpensive ways to travel between NYC and Philadelphia .

New York to Philly by train

Traveling from New York City to Philadelphia using the train is one of the most convenient options for your day excursion.

a tall building with a clock on top of it

Finally, the hotel’s location is superb since you’ll be within walking distance of the area’s best attractions, shops, and restaurants.

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Amtrak’s Northeast Regional rail service provides a reliable transportation option that departs from NYC’s Penn Station and travels to 30th Street Station in Philly. The train operates along the Northeast Corridor of the U.S., making stops in key cities like New York City and Boston. Taking Amtrak from NYC to Philadelphia costs roughly $52 for a round-trip ticket and takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete the journey.

Amtrak Acela

Alternatively, Amtrak’s Acela service is a bit faster since it makes fewer stops, so it’ll get you to Philly in a little over an hour. It also offers an upgraded experience with coach and business seating. That said, it costs about twice as much as the Northeast Regional (about $124 round-trip).

You can save $11 on tickets for Amtrak’s Northeast Regional and Acela by booking through Omioand using our discount code.
New Jersey Transit

New Jersey Transit provides rail transport from New York to Philadelphia, but it involves many stops in Trenton, lengthening the journey to 2.5 to 3 hours while only modestly reducing the cost ($16.75 one-way). Given its slow pace, I can`t suggest this option despite its affordability .

Bus from NYC to Philadelphia

If you’re not overly concerned about convenience, taking a bus from NYC to Philadelphia is the most affordable way to travel.

a red and white fire hydrant in front of a building

Several transportation services offer routes connecting New York City and Philadelphia with consistent schedules, making it simple to spend a day exploring before returning to the greater New York area.

Ourbus

Ourbus is one of the top charter buses traveling from NYC to Philadelphia. The ride takes around two hours and incorporates free water, Wi-Fi, onboard charging ports, and reclining seats. A roundtrip ticket costs roughly $23, and you can save $11 by using our discount code on Omio.

The bus leaves New York at the George Washington Bridge Bus Station on Broadway across from the Javits Convention Center on 11th Avenue. In Philly, the bus can drop you off at the NRG Subway Station in South Philadelphia, the Fashion District in Center City, or the National Constitution Center in Old City.

FlixBus

FlixBus is another transportation option from NYC to Philadelphia that I advise considering, and you can book through Omio taking advantage of our discount code. A roundtrip ticket is approximately $35, but saving $11 is possible with our link. The two hour drive travels from Midtown Manhattan (31st St & 8th Ave) to the Independence Visitor Center in Philadelphia (6th & Market St).

Greyhound

One of the more renowned carriers, Greyhound’s transit between New York City and Philadelphia is another dependable selection. The coach departs from the New York Port Authority on Eighth Avenue and stops at the bus station behind Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia. Tickets cost roughly $20, and the trip involves two to three hours since the coach usually makes additional calls in New Jersey.

a city at night with a bridge over it

Megabus

Additionally, one can go from New York City to Philadelphia via Megabus, which operates numerous buses on a daily basis as well as overnight routes. The journey takes approximately two hours and tickets normally cost about $15. Wait for the Megabus in New York at 34th Street between 11th and 12th Avenues. It will drop you off directly behind 30th Street Station in Philly, on Schuylkill Avenue.

Peter Pan

Lastly, the bus from NYC to Philly operated by Peter Pan is another common choice. The bus leaves from the New York Port Authority and stops at the Filbert Street bus station behind Reading Terminal Market. Tickets cost about $15, and the total trip takes around two hours.

For most of these transportation from NYC to Philadelphia, the earlier you book your ticket, the more you can save since rates go up the closer you get to your departure date .

Driving from New York to Philadelphia

Yet another way to take an NYC to Philadelphia day excursion is to rent a vehicle in New York City and drive yourself. If you’re traveling with children or you plan on extending your trip to other nearby cities, this can be the most convenient choice.

The estimated travel time from New York to Philadelphia is about two hours, and the directions are rather uncomplicated:

  • Take I-95 S towards Jersey City
  • Continue on I-95 S/NJ Turnpike S for 90 miles
  • Take the PA-611/Broad St/Central Phila exit

Best one-day trip to Philadelphia from NYC

Finally, if you want to take a Philadelphia day trip from NYC but don’t want to set up your transportation or rent a car, consider taking a guided tour. An organized day tour is the perfect way to explore an new city and see the most iconic sights without having to worry about transportation and all the details.

If this style of activity appeals to you, I recommend exploring this full-day tour of Philadelphia and Amish Country. You’ll depart from the New York Port Authority and arrive at the City of Brotherly Love, where your guide will show you the most prominent attractions like Elfreth’s Alley, the Liberty Bell, and the Rocky Steps.

a crowd of people standing in front of a building

After exploring Philly’s prime attractions, the excursion continues with a trip to Amish Country in Lancaster County, roughly two hours away. This tour incorporates an authentic buggy ride and a visit to an Amish marketplace, where you can sample undoubtedly delicious baked goods.

If time is restricted and you want to optimize your journey, this one-day tour to Philly and Washington, D.C. is a brilliant way to experience two cities in a single trip. Alternatively, you could embark on this 2-day Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. journey, which provides extra time in both cities .

Must-see attractions during your day trip to Philadelphia

Regardless of transportation choice, a one-day excursion from New York City to Philadelphia proves worthwhile. Philadelphia overflows with remarkable sights, history, culture and cuisine, aided by ease of access from New York, validating a visit.

If you’re travelling to Philadelphia from NYC on your own, check out our guide on the best things to do in Philadelphia. Here, I’ll tell you the must-see attractions you should visit during your day trip.

a large building with a clock on it`s side

Depending on how you arrive in Philly, you’ll likely land in Center City or Old City. So, I suggest initially going to Independence National Historic Park, where you can see Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the National Constitution Center. A block or so away is the Betsy Ross House and Elfreth’s Alley, one of the most picturesque parts of Philadelphia.

If interested in seeing the waterfront, head east towards Penn’s Landing. Otherwise, it`s possible to walk through the busy streets of Chinatown and grab a bite to eat at Reading Terminal Market.

Later, explore Love Park and stroll along the Ben Franklin Parkway past the city’s most famous museums. If interested in touring one, my top recommendations include the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Franklin Institute, the Barnes Foundation, or the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The latter home to the iconic Rocky Steps, with beautiful Fairmount Water Works and Azalea Garden behind it.

a horse pulling a carriage down a road

Fairmount isn’t too far from the Eastern State Penitentiary, but if you’d prefer to avoid this eerie place, you can leave the city and head to Amish Country in Lancaster.

Lancaster is one of Pennsylvania`s earliest towns and home to a sizable Amish population. Visiting the Amish Village offers glimpses into traditional crafts like blacksmithing, transport via horse-drawn buggies and agricultural practices of yesteryear, followed by sampling old-time delicacies at the Amish market.

FAQs – NYC to Philadelphia day trip

Prior to concluding this guide, here are some common inquiries regarding taking a day trip from NYC toPhiladelphia. Hopefully, these solutions will clear up any puzzlement or worries you may have!

The easiest manner to travel between the two major cities is through public transportation, as taking a train or bus from NYC to Philadelphia allows one to avoid issues with parking. Conversely, an organized tour offers convenience if time is restricted and one seeks to experience the most popular attractions.

Philadelphia is approximately 95 miles from New York City.

The estimated travel time by road from New York to Philadelphia is approximately two hours depending on traffic flow.

Train tickets on Amtrak traveling from New York City to Philadelphia can cost somewhere in the range of approximately $52 to $124 roundtrip.

The cost of a round-trip bus ticket from New York City to Philadelphia ranges from approximately $15 to $35 depending on the bus company utilized and when the booking is made.

A day trip exploring Philadelphia from NYC allows sightseeing of the essential landmarks.

While the trip from New York City to Philadelphia takes around two hours by car, those wishing to extend their exploration can make stops along the way, including:

  • Staten Island
  • Liberty State Park
  • Duke Farms
  • Six Flags Great Adventure
  • Princeton, New Jersey

I hope you enjoyed this guide, and you feel better prepared to organize your NYC to Philadelphia day trip! Both of these cities are well deserving of a visit, so be sure to allot ample time to experience them. Also, feel free to leave any inquiries or remarks below; I look forward to hearing from you. For now, enjoy a safe trip!