Holiday travel tips for Philadelphia airports, train stations, buses and roads

Planes taking off from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).Read moreELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Staff Photographer

It’s that time of year when some people visit their loved ones for the holidays. If you are traveling from Philadelphia, please be aware that we are expecting even more crowds this year.

Automotive services and advocacy group AAA reports that one in three Americans will travel more than 50 miles from home this winter holiday season, bringing the total to 115 million. are doing. That’s not back to pre-pandemic levels of about 120 million in 2019, but it’s higher than in 2019, the busiest year on record for holiday travel, according to AAA. , expressways are expected to become more congested.

Those flying through Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) can expect additional delays. Heather Redfern, the airport’s communications manager, said 14 per cent more people will be using the airport this year than last year. From Thursday, December 21st until Wednesday, January 4th, more than 1 million passengers are expected to arrive and depart.

According to airport officials, the busiest days at PHL Airport are December 26, December 27, and December 22, in order, with the number of travelers expected to exceed 80,000 on each day. The least traveled days are expected to be Christmas Day, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

During this period, drivers will be stuck in traffic for several days. According to traffic analysis company INRIX, the busiest days for road traffic will be Saturday, December 23rd and Thursday, December 28th. Traffic will continue to increase on Saturday, December 30th.

Knowing this year will be even busier is half the battle. Now’s the time to prepare with these expert travel tips.

Terminal D at Philadelphia International Airport in 2021 Read more TOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer

As always, plan ahead and arrive early. Airport officials recommend arriving at least two hours before the scheduled boarding time for domestic flights. For international flights, he should arrive 3 hours early.

You can track the status of your flight using Flight Aware (flightaware.com). However, we also recommend downloading your airline’s mobile app and signing up for text message and email alerts.

Need parking? PHL garages and lots are available to all passengers. Visit phl.org/parking/garages for onsite parking information. Departing passengers can also use offsite parking lots that offer shuttle service. Visit phl.org/parking/offsite-parking for offsite parking options.

Pro tip: If you don’t need a car to get to and from the airport, check out SEPTA’s Airport Line for regional rail.

Those dropping off or picking up travelers should enter through the arrivals ramp and follow the signs to the cell phone hold area, rather than pulling to the side of the roadway or access ramp.

Things to do while at PHL Airport

Check out 140 airport restaurants and shops at philamarketplace.com. You can pre-order food from select kiosks through OrderAtPHL.com and pick it up without waiting in line. PHL will be offering free gift wrapping on items purchased at the airport from 7am to 9pm daily until December 24th. You can also receive a free pair of Philadelphia-themed socks with any purchase of $75 or more. There are 20 art exhibits on display inside the terminal, including locally shot films and a piece celebrating his 50th anniversary with Philadelphia International Records, “Jawn 6 — It’s a Philly Thing.”

Be prepared to go through the TSA security check upon arrival. All of TSA’s screening regulations can be found at tsa.gov/travel/security-screening and the MyTSA app. Before you pack your bags, check out TSA’s searchable “What can I bring?” Tools at tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring.

If you want the fastest way through the TSA, sign up for TSA PreCheck. The service allows passengers to use reserved security lines and doesn’t require them to remove their shoes, belts or light jackets before going through the detector. PreCheck is only available to U.S. citizens and green card holders. It costs $78 for five years, but approval can take anywhere from three to 60 days.

All liquids, aerosols, and gels must be less than 3.4 ounces and packed in a 1-quart clear plastic bag. Anything larger must be placed in checked baggage, with the exception of medications.

If you need assistance with security screening, please contact TSA in advance at tsa.gov/contact-center/form/cares.

What’s new this year: Remember the pre-’90s when you could see non-passengers to the gate? That was banned after 9/11. The airport has now launched Wingmate: The PHL Guest Pass, which allows non-ticketed passengers to access the terminal and assist family and friends at the departure or arrival gate. For more information, visit phl.org/wingmate.

A traveler passes through a TSA security checkpoint at Philadelphia International Airport in 2021.Read more JOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer

If you need privacy to feed your child, check out these options:

Terminals B and C: Nursing rooms are located within the food court with sofa chairs, side tables, electrical outlets, mirrors, and sinks.

There are nursing pods called Mamaba in terminals A-West, B, C, E, and F. These 4-by-8-foot capsules come equipped with benches, folding tables, and electrical outlets. An app (downloaded from mamava.com/mobile-app) is required to lock and unlock the door.

Terminals A-East and B: If you need a milking space, you can use the Minute Suite private room for 30 minutes free of charge. Additional time can cost between $48 and $175.

There are eight car rental services at the airport. Both offer complimentary shuttles between baggage claim and rental properties located in Zone 2 of Arrival Road.

SEPTA offers regional rail service from Center City to Philadelphia on the Airport Line. Read moreAlejandro A. Alvarez/Staff Photographer

SEPTA (septa.org) will operate on a modified schedule on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve: Subways (subways, elevated trains, and trolleys), buses, and local rail will operate on Sunday schedules.

Christmas Day: Subways and buses will operate on a Sunday schedule. All local rail lines will operate on a special Christmas schedule. Please refer to the special regional railway Christmas schedule for your route.

Local rail passengers attending the Eagles and New York Giants game on Christmas Day will be affected by this special schedule. After the game, all rides from his NRG station on the Broad Street Line will be free. The free rides, organized by Unibet, will start at half-time and run for his two hours after the match, or until the last scheduled train.

Check system status for alerts or detours. For the latest news, call Customer Service at 215-580-7800 or follow us @ SEPTA.Septa.

Rooms at 30th Street Station. Amtrak officials predict Christmas and New Year’s are not the busiest times for trains. Historically, Amtrak is busiest around Thanksgiving.Learn moreElizabeth Robertson/File Photo

Amtrak officials predict Christmas and New Year’s are not the busiest times for trains. Historically, Amtrak is crowded during Thanksgiving, but not during the Christmas holiday. An Amtrak spokesperson said passenger numbers may increase during that period, but “not at the same rate as during peak travel times such as summer or Thanksgiving.”

However, officials advise passengers to download Amtrak’s mobile app and arrive 45 minutes before departure.

According to INRIX, roads are expected to be congested during the 10-day winter holiday travel period this year. The good news is that Christmas Eve and Christmas Day tend to be the least traffic days.

Best days to travel by car: December 23rd, December 28th, December 30th.

“Nationwide, drivers could experience up to 20% longer travel times this holiday season,” said Bob Picheux, transportation analyst at INRIX. “On major subways, drivers can experience delays nearly twice as long as they normally would. Avoid peak commute times, use transit apps, local DOT notifications, 511 service, and plan for holiday travel.” Minimize the stress of traffic jams.

Pro tip: The best time to drive is before lunch or after 7pm

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