Travel Guide: Taking Septa To The Airport

how to take septa to airport

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) provides transportation services to Philadelphia International Airport. SEPTA's Airport Line runs between the airport and Center City, with trains departing every 30 minutes during the week and every hour on weekends and holidays. The cost of a single ride ranges from $4 to $9, depending on the payment method and station. SEPTA also offers the option of purchasing a SEPTA Key Card, which can be loaded with daily, weekly, or monthly passes, as well as funds for single rides. This card can be purchased online or at stations and sales offices for $4.95, with the cost being refunded to the card upon registration.

Characteristics Values
Transport Options Train, Bus, Metro, Paratransit
Transport Authority Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)
Payment Methods Cash, Credit Card, Debit Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, SEPTA Key Card
Ticket Types Single Ride, Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Anywhere FleX, Senior Fare, Paratransit
Ticket Costs $4.00-$11.00 (varies by ticket type and payment method)
Ticket Purchase Locations SEPTA Sales Offices, Station Fare Kiosks, Online, SEPTA App, Retailers
Free Transfers Up to 2 transfers within 2 hours for SEPTA Key Card or Contactless payment users
Travel Wallet Funds can be loaded onto SEPTA Key Card for future use
Multi-Rider Up to 5 passengers can travel together using a single SEPTA Key Card

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Travel costs and payment methods

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) offers a range of payment methods and travel costs for its services. Here is an overview of the payment methods and costs associated with taking SEPTA to the airport:

Payment Methods:

  • SEPTA Key Card: The SEPTA Key Card is a reloadable, contactless chip card that offers a seamless travel experience. You can load daily, weekly, or monthly passes and/or store funds in the Travel Wallet function. The card is valid for up to four years from the date of purchase.
  • Fare Kiosks: You can load and reload your passes and travel wallet funds at Fare Kiosks located at SEPTA stations.
  • Online: Visit septakey.org to manage your SEPTA Key Card. You can load/reload fares, set up an auto-load account, review your trip history, and report a lost or stolen card.
  • SEPTA App: The official SEPTA mobile app allows you to manage your Key Card on your mobile device. You can load/reload fares, access trip history, and more.
  • Credit and Debit Cards: SEPTA accepts major credit and debit cards, including contactless payments, for bus, trolley, and subway services. Regional rail will accept credit card payments starting in 2024.
  • Phone Apps: You can use smartphone apps like Apple Pay and Google Pay to pay for your fare.

Travel Costs:

  • Fares for Regional Rail vary based on trip details, including zones, day of the week, time of day, and payment method.
  • Weekend fares are charged all day on Saturdays, Sundays, and major SEPTA holidays, such as New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, etc.
  • Local trip rates apply when boarding and exiting from stations outside Center City on one line without travelling through Center City stations.
  • Extended trip rates are charged when boarding and exiting from stations outside Center City and passing through Center City stations, including trips with train changes at a Center City station.
  • Senior citizens aged 65 and older ride for free with a valid SEPTA Senior Fare Card on Regional Rail within Pennsylvania. For travel to/from stations in New Jersey or Delaware, the cost is 50% of the weekday fare.
  • TransPass+ is valid for travel to/from Center City Philadelphia and Zone 1/Airport during weekends and major holidays.

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Travel times and frequency

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) provides transport services to and from Philadelphia International Airport. The Airport Line is served by trains that run between the airport and Center City every 30 minutes during the week and every hour on weekends and major holidays. The first train from the airport to Center City is at 5:08 am, and the last train is at 11:48 pm. The first train from Center City to the airport is at 4:50 am, and the last train is at 11:30 pm. The total travel time between the airport and Center City is approximately 25 minutes.

The SEPTA Key card is a reloadable, contactless chip card that can be used for travel on the Airport Line. It costs $4.95 to purchase, but this fee is credited back to the card when you register it online. The SEPTA Key card can be loaded with passes or funds stored in the Travel Wallet function, which can be used for single-ride fares. The cost of a single ride on the Airport Line is $4 with a SEPTA Key card or $6 without one.

Weekly Passes include up to 56 trips and are valid from 12:01 am on Monday until 2 am the following Monday. Monthly Passes include up to 240 trips and are valid from the first day of the month until 2 am on the first day of the following month. In addition to the SEPTA Key card, weekly and monthly passes can also be purchased as Anywhere FleX Passes, which can be added to a Key card and activated upon the first tap.

For seniors with a valid Senior Fare Card, travel to or from stations in New Jersey or Delaware costs 50% of the regular weekday fare. SEPTA Access provides paratransit services to individuals with disabilities and senior citizens. A one-way trip within the service region for registered paratransit customers costs $4.25, with an additional $0.75 charge for trips over three miles into an adjacent county or more than 10 miles.

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Purchasing tickets

When taking SEPTA to the airport, there are several options for purchasing tickets. The method that suits you best will depend on how many trips you plan to make and whether you are travelling with others.

Single-Ride Tickets

Single-ride tickets, also known as Quick Trip Tickets, can be purchased at a kiosk at the airport terminal station for $6.75. These kiosks accept credit, debit, Apple, Google, and Samsung Pay, as well as cash. You can also buy Quick Trip Tickets on board the train for $8.00, where conductors accept the same range of payment methods.

SEPTA Key Card

If you plan on taking multiple trips on SEPTA, it may be more convenient and cost-effective to purchase a SEPTA Key Card. This card can be loaded with funds or passes for single rides on all modes of SEPTA transport, including the Airport Line. The card itself costs $4.95, but this fee is credited back to your card upon registration. You can load your card at Fare Kiosks, online at septakey.org, or via the SEPTA App. Cards can be purchased from SEPTA Sales Offices, Station Fare Kiosks, or from retailers in the service area.

Multi-Rider Option

If you are travelling with a group of up to five people, you can take advantage of the Multi-Rider option. This allows you to pay for all travellers with a single SEPTA Key Card. To activate this option, call (855) 567-3782 or visit www.septakey.org.

Senior and Disability Fares

Seniors with a valid Senior Fare Card and individuals with disabilities can benefit from reduced fares. Registered paratransit customers, for example, pay $4.25 for a one-way trip within the service region, with an additional charge for trips over three miles into an adjacent county or over 10 miles in total.

Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Passes

SEPTA Key Cards can also be loaded with daily, weekly, or monthly passes. Weekly passes are valid from 12:01 am Monday until 2 am the following Monday and include up to 56 trips. Monthly passes are valid from the first day of the month until 2 am on the first day of the next month and include up to 240 trips.

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Using a SEPTA Key Card

If you plan on taking multiple SEPTA trips, it is beneficial to purchase a SEPTA Key Card. The card costs $4.95, but when you register it at septakey.org, the card's cost is refunded to your card's Travel Wallet. This card can be purchased from SEPTA Sales Offices, Station Fare Kiosks, or retailers located throughout the service area. Cards must be registered within 30 days of purchase.

The SEPTA Key Card can be loaded with Daily, Weekly, or Monthly Passes, and/or funds stored in the Travel Wallet function of the card. Weekly Passes include up to 56 trips and are sold from Wednesday of the prior week through Tuesday of the current week. Monthly Passes include up to 240 trips and are sold starting on the 20th day of the prior month through the 10th day of the valid month. You can load and reload your Passes and Travel Wallet funds at Fare Kiosks, online at septakey.org, or by using the SEPTA App.

When using the Key Card on Regional Rail, remember to tap at the validator on the platform or turnstiles before boarding the train and after exiting the train to ensure you are charged the correct fare. Conductors on board Regional Rail will also check key cards with their handheld devices.

Additionally, riders using a SEPTA Key Card can make up to two transfers for free within two hours of their first tap.

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Transfers and connections

When travelling to or from the airport using SEPTA, there are several transfer options available to you, depending on your starting point or desired destination.

Firstly, if you are travelling by train, you can take the train directly from the airport to Jefferson Station in Center City. Jefferson Station offers direct access to the convention centre. Trains run between the airport and Center City every 30 minutes during the week and every hour on weekends and major holidays. You can purchase a Quick Trip Ticket for $6.75 at a kiosk at the airport terminal station. These kiosks accept credit, debit, Apple, Google, and Samsung Pay, as well as cash. Alternatively, you can pay $8 on board the train to the conductor, who accepts the same payment methods. Remember to retain your ticket after showing it to the conductor, as you will need to swipe it at the turnstiles to exit Jefferson Station.

Secondly, if you are travelling by bus or metro, you can make use of the SEPTA Key card. This card can be loaded with daily, weekly, or monthly passes, as well as funds stored in the Travel Wallet function. With the SEPTA Key card, you can transfer between SEPTA Bus and Metro services at stations, stops, and transit centres throughout the region. SEPTA Key cardholders can make up to two transfers for free within two hours of their first tap. The card costs $4.95 but is credited back to your card upon registration. You can purchase the card from SEPTA Sales Offices, Station Fare Kiosks, or authorised retailers.

Additionally, if you are travelling with a group of up to five people, you can use the Multi-Rider feature on the SEPTA Key Card. This allows your group to pay with a single SEPTA Key Card. To activate this feature, simply call (855) 567-3782 or visit www.septakey.org.

Frequently asked questions

Travel rates on the Airport Line from Philadelphia International Airport are based on the station you are travelling to and your payment method. The same rates apply to reverse trips out to the airport. For example, a SEPTA Key card is $4, Contactless is $4, Quick Trip is $4, and On-board is $6.

You can pay for your trip to the airport by purchasing a single-ride ticket at a kiosk at the airport terminal station. Kiosks accept credit, debit, Apple, Google, and Samsung Pay, and cash. You can also pay on board the train to the conductor, but the price of a Quick Trip Ticket on board the train is $2 more expensive. Conductors accept debit, credit, and cash for on-board purchases, as well as Apple, Google, and Samsung Pay.

Trains run between the airport and Center City every 30 minutes during the week and every hour on the weekend and major holidays.

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