Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) serves more than 25 million passengers a year with about 30 airlines offering nonstop flights to more than 120 domestic and international destinations. Close to 130 boarding gates stretch out over 7 terminals. And while PHL’s size can be a tad overwhelming, I always look forward to stopping here thanks to the art, entertainment, Philly-focused dining options and other amenities I’ve outlined in this guide.
PHL is about 10 miles from downtown Philadelphia and easy to reach via car, taxi, rideshare and shuttle or van service. Be sure to check the PHL website to locate the correct pick-up zone before heading out of the terminal.
I find it far less expensive to take public transportation to and from the airport. Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) runs trains to Center City (downtown) daily on the Airport Regional Rail Line with stops at Terminal A, B, C/D and E/F. The trip takes about 30 minutes.
You can pay with cash or with a credit card on the train, but you’ll pay less if you buy a Quick Trip (single-ride ticket) or purchase and load a SEPTA Key card before you board the train. There are also three bus routes that run between the airport and various Philadelphia neighborhoods.
PHL has 7 terminals: A-West, A-East, B, C, D, E and F and six security checkpoints. The airport is a hub for American Airlines, which uses gates in Terminals A-West, A-East, B, C and F. PHL also serves as a ‘focus,’ or small hub, for Frontier Airlines, which uses Terminal E.
You can use your TSA PreCheck membership to access expedited lanes at Terminals A-East, C and D/E. The checkpoint at Terminal C is for TSA PreCheck only. Once you’re screened at a checkpoint, you can access all 7 terminals.
Need steps? When traveling, I always do. The distance from Terminal A-West to Terminal F is about 1.3 miles and, depending on my gait, stops for shopping and pedestrian traffic in the terminal, I can travel from one end to the other in about 45 minutes. In a hurry or not interested in walking between terminals? Not a problem. There are 2 post-security shuttle bus routes: from Terminal A-East to Terminal F and from Terminal C to Terminal F.
There are a handful of airline specific and membership lounges at PHL. In addition to multiple American Airlines Admirals Club locations, there is an American Express Centurion Lounge (by Gate A14), a British Airways Galleries Club Lounge (Terminal A-West), a Delta Sky Club (Terminal D/E Connector) and a United Club (Terminal C/D Link).
Access to these lounges may be determined by membership program, cabin class and which credit card you hold. There is also a Minute Suites (between the A/B Connector) that rents small rooms for napping, sleeping or working. This location also has showers available for an additional fee.
In addition to Minute Suites and the airlines/membership lounges, PHL has an Xpress Spa in Terminal B with massage and nail care services and a branch of Be Relax (Terminal C) offering massage, nail and facial care services.
There are more than 100 restaurants, bars and shops at PHL, with many local crafts and regional treats represented. Look for Philly cheesesteaks, hoagies, TastsyKake snacks, Philly soft pretzels, Hershey’s chocolates, locally roasted coffee, regional brews and more. PHL’s website notes outlets that are “Founded in Philly,” and I make a point of supporting these local brands and those that are in the “OrderatPHL” program offering online ordering for pick up.
Concessions at PHL are permitted to add a 3% fee onto your bill “to offset the employee wages benefits requirement.” Most, but not all, do. The fee is not passed along as a gratuity, so I always make sure to tip my server.
PHL has one of the most extensive airport art programs in the country, with dozens of permanent and temporary exhibits across all 7 terminals highlighting work by Philly-area artists and celebrating the city.
When traveling through PHL, I check the airport website ahead of time and often arrive with a list of the new temporary exhibits I want to visit. And I find myself revisiting key permanent installations.
Here are a couple of exhibits to look for. My Philadelphia Story, (post-security, Terminal F), by Won Kyoung Lee and Matthew Alden Price, includes about 600 objects representing a different individual's memory or a story relating to life in the city. And in the corridor between Terminals A and B are posters from movies made in Philadelphia including Witness, Trading Places and of course, Rocky.
For an active-art experience at PHL, I’ll head to the ArtPort Lounge in Terminal F. This area is decorated with wall and ceiling tile murals and a fun version of the cornhole bean bag-throwing game with artist-designed target boards.
In addition to all the art exhibits, PHL hosts occasional artist demonstrations, monthly visits from the Philadelphia Zoo, chats with local sports personalities and other events.
PHL is one of a handful of airports in the country with a gate pass program that allows visitors to go through security without a ticket. That means you can be at the gate to greet a friend or family member arriving on a domestic flight, spend more time with someone who is flying out or just spend time at the airport shopping, plane spotting or checking out the art.
The gate pass program at PHL is called the Wingmate Pass. To get one, sign up on the PHL website 1 – 7 days before you want to visit. If TSA approves your application, you’ll get a digital pass via email. On the day of your visit, you’ll show the pass and your photo ID at a designated security checkpoint and go through with the other passengers.
While some other airports have gate pass programs, PHL’s is the only one I know of that offers bonus perks. Wingmate Pass holders can get free items, discounts and 2-for-1 offers at shops and dining venues inside the terminal. I point this out to friends I invite to hang with me during PHL layovers and promise to pick up the tabs.
There are many hotels near PHL airport, accessible by taxi or shuttle, The Marriott Philadelphia Airport hotel is the only hotel on airport property. You can walk to this Marriott via a skywalk at Terminal B or take the hotel shuttle, which is wheelchair accessible. Day rates are available and include access to the hotel fitness center. Avgeeks take note: one of the room categories you can book is “runway view.”
Kids will enjoy many of the art exhibits at PHL, the occasional entertainment and activity programs and visiting with the pups from the Wagging Tails Brigade. For moms, PHL has free lactation pods (Terminal A-West, the B/C Connector Food Court, the D/E Connector and Terminal F).
Nursing mothers may also use a nursing station free of charge for the first 30 minutes at Minutes Suite (A/B Connector). There’s also a nursing suite in the restroom in the B/C Food Court, with more to restroom nursing suites to come.
Traveling can be hectic and overwhelming. PHL has a Quiet Room in the Terminal D/E Connector designed for tranquility and prayer. The best spots at PHL for plane spotting are at the rotunda-shaped ends of Terminals D and E and along the windows of Terminal A-West.
If you’re lucky, you might also be able to relax in one of the 13 rocking chairs between Terminals A-East and B that artists have decorated with yarn, fabric and paint.
PHL’s “Take a Book, Leave a Book” reading area in Terminal A-West, near Gate A14, has fun furniture made from recycled materials and a free library filled with books donated by passengers and airlines.
The reading area is also home to a free short story dispenser. Travelers are invited to push a button to select a print-out of a one, three or five-minute short story.
If you have some extra time at PHL, look for ‘surprise and delight’ features such as the replica of the Liberty Bell made from LEGOs. The bell is in Terminal A-West, between Gates A15 and A16. It’s said that there are 1,1776 LEGOs in the bell, which just happens to match the year the 13 American colonies declared independence from England.
Love dogs? PHL’s Wagging Tails Brigade is a volunteer crew of about 2 dozen dogs and their handlers who walk through the terminals to visit with passengers. Each dog has a personalized trading card, so be sure to ask the handler for a card from your favorite pup.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
IATA Code | PHL |
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Serves | Philadelphia |
Terminals | A, C, D, E, F |
Hub for | Delta, United Airlines, SWISS |