Philadelphia Airport: Luggage Carts Availability And Accessibility

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is a large airport with seven terminals and 120 boarding gates. The airport offers a variety of services and facilities to travellers, including luggage carts, which can be useful for those with a lot of baggage. The airport also provides luggage storage services, which can be booked online. In addition, there are several off-site hotels near the airport that provide a free airport shuttle service, such as the Embassy Suites by Hilton and the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham.

Smarte Carts are available at some locations for $2

If you're travelling with a lot of luggage, you may be wondering if Philadelphia International Airport provides luggage carts to help you transport your bags. The good news is that Smarte Carts are available at some locations within the airport. These carts can be especially useful when navigating the baggage claim area, which is a little more spread out than the check-in area.

The Smarte Carts are available for a small fee of $2. This fee allows you to use the cart to move your luggage more easily between different areas of the airport, such as the check-in, baggage claim, and transportation areas. With seven terminals and 120 boarding gates, Philadelphia International Airport covers a large area, so a luggage cart can be a helpful option if you have multiple bags or heavy items.

In addition to Smarte Carts, Philadelphia International Airport offers a range of other services and facilities to assist travellers. These include an airport information centre, ATMs, a check-cashing facility, duty-free shops, food and beverage outlets, shops, a hospitality program, language assistance, luggage storage, mail services, a children's play area, restrooms, shoeshine stands, and telephones, including telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD phones).

When navigating Philadelphia International Airport, it's important to follow the exit, transportation, and baggage claim signs for your specific terminal. These signs will direct you to the appropriate areas, including the parking garage and the separate building for baggage claim. Additionally, if you need to spend the night near the airport, there are several hotels nearby, such as the Philadelphia Airport Marriott, which is connected to Terminal B via a pedestrian bridge.

Baggage claim is in a separate building

At Philadelphia International Airport, baggage claim is located within the terminal buildings. However, the airport has a somewhat complex layout, with multiple terminals serving different airlines and types of flights. Some terminals are connected, while others are separate buildings, requiring passengers to take a shuttle bus or train to get between them.

Terminals A-West and A-East are connected and share a baggage claim area on level 1. Terminals B and C are also connected and share a baggage claim area, with two concourses, B and C. Terminals D and E are separate buildings but are connected by a bridge to the parking garage and the SEPTA train station. Each terminal has its own ticketing area and baggage claim on level 1. Terminal F is a separate building with its own baggage claim facility, which has undergone recent expansion and enhancements to improve traveller flow and safety.

It is worth noting that while check-in desks are usually close together, the baggage claim areas are more spread out. This means that, depending on your arrival terminal, you may need to walk some distance or take a shuttle bus to reach the correct baggage claim area. Smarte Carts are available at some locations to assist with luggage, but they cost around $2.

If you are meeting someone at the airport, you can wait in the areas just before the security checkpoints or in the baggage claim areas. However, only those with a PHL Wingmate Pass can meet arriving passengers at the gate. If you are picking someone up by car, vehicles are permitted to pull up curbside for active loading and unloading, and there is also a Cell Phone Waiting Lot with free parking just off I-95 and Route 291.

Off-site hotels with free airport shuttles include the Embassy Suites by Hilton and Microtel Inn & Suites

Philadelphia International Airport provides Smarte Carts at some locations for about $2. However, in most terminals, check-in is close by, so you may not need one. If you have a lot of luggage, these carts may be useful at baggage claim, which is more spread out.

If you are staying in a hotel near the airport, there are a few options that offer a free airport shuttle service. Off-site hotels with free airport shuttles include the Embassy Suites by Hilton and Microtel Inn & Suites. The Embassy Suites by Hilton is located a mile from the airport, and the free shuttle can be arranged prior to arrival. The hotel also offers a free made-to-order breakfast and a complimentary evening reception. The Microtel Inn & Suites Philadelphia Airport is located 1.1 miles from the airport and provides a complimentary continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and a 24-hour airport shuttle.

Other hotels near Philadelphia International Airport that offer a free airport shuttle include the Doubletree by Hilton Philadelphia Airport, Residence Inn by Marriott Philadelphia Airport, and Delta Hotels by Marriott Philadelphia Airport. These hotels are located adjacent to or within a few miles of the airport, providing convenient access for travellers.

Luggage storage is available near the airport

Philadelphia International Airport does not provide luggage storage facilities. However, there are several luggage storage options near the airport.

LuggageHero offers luggage storage in countless places, including Philadelphia. LuggageHero stores are located near Airport Terminals C & D. They offer both hourly and daily rates, with a flat rate starting at $1.20 per hour and $3.10 per bag per day. LuggageHero also provides multi-day storage options, with a lower daily rate for long-term storage.

Bounce also provides luggage storage options near Philadelphia Airport, with prices starting at $4.10 per day. They partner with local businesses that have secure spaces to store luggage for travellers. The Bounce website and app can be used to find convenient storage locations based on the number of bags and the required storage duration.

In addition to these options, Smarte Carts are available at some locations in the airport for around $2. However, if you don't have a large amount of luggage, you may not need a cart, as the check-in areas are usually quite close to the entrances.

The airport has seven terminals

The Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is located just seven miles southwest of downtown Philadelphia. It consists of seven terminals: A-East, A-West, B, C, D, E, and F. The terminals are connected in a line, allowing passengers to walk from one end to the other. This unique layout separates departures and arrivals, with departures in the main terminal and baggage claim across the road. This design promotes a smooth flow of passenger traffic. Terminal A-West is the primary international terminal, with 13 gates on level 2 and arrivals and baggage claim shared with Terminal A-East on levels 3 and 1, respectively. A-West offers two security checkpoints and a variety of shops and restaurants. Terminal A-East has its own ticketing area, a bridge to parking garage A, and a SEPTA train station. It has 12 gates and shares arrival facilities and baggage claim with A-West, with one security checkpoint above ticketing. Both terminals cater to international and domestic flights.

American Airlines is the sole occupant of Terminals B and C, which share a ticketing area, baggage claim, and two concourses. The airline also has a significant presence in Terminal A-East, with a dedicated Admirals Club lounge near gate A4. Philadelphia International Airport features two more Admirals Clubs and a United Club, for a total of 10 lounges. The airport is a major hub for domestic and international travellers, serving as a critical gateway to the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the United States. It offers a wide range of amenities, including restaurants, retail outlets, lounges, spas, and shoe-shine services, as well as business facilities such as meeting rooms and workspaces.

PHL is easily accessible by ground transportation, with options like SEPTA buses and trains, rental cars, and ride-shares. It is also committed to providing high-quality travel experiences and enhancing the traveller's journey through its amenities and services. The airport is just a short distance from notable locations, including Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania, and offers convenient hotel accommodations in the area, such as Sonesta Select Philadelphia Airport and Aloft Philadelphia Airport, both of which provide complimentary shuttle services.

Frequently asked questions