Travel tips · Philadelphia · United States
Philadelphia travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: 颐园居, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Philadelphians are direct, proud of their neighbourhoods and fiercely loyal to their sports teams, the Eagles above all. The city is famous for its blunt humour, and a 'jawn' can mean almost anything. Rowhouse neighbourhoods keep a strong local identity, from Italian South Philly to Puerto Rican Fairhill and Vietnamese and Mexican businesses along Washington Avenue and the Italian Market.
Key facts
- Language
- English
- Currency
- USD
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Things to know
- Order cheesesteaks quickly and clearly at busy windows: cheese type first, then 'wit' or 'witout' onions.
- Sports talk is a safe icebreaker, but tread carefully if you are wearing a rival team's colours on game day.
- On SEPTA, let passengers off before boarding and keep bags off seats.
- Elfreth's Alley and Society Hill are residential; keep noise down and do not sit on doorsteps.
- Stand on the right and walk on the left on escalators at busy stations.
- Book Independence Hall ahead: Entry is free but by timed ticket for much of the year; reserve online in advance or collect same-day tickets at the Independence Visitor Center early.
- Book Eastern State Penitentiary ahead: The autumn Halloween Nights event sells out on weekends; book well ahead if you want it.
- Book Barnes Foundation ahead: Entry is by timed ticket; book online, especially for weekends.
- Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Elfreth's Alley, Boathouse Row and the Rocky Steps cost nothing.
Tipping
Tip 18–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, $1–$2 per drink at a counter, 15–20% for taxis and ride-hailing, and a few dollars per bag for hotel porters.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Wit / witout | With or without fried onions (cheesesteak order) |
| Jawn | All-purpose word for a thing, place or event |
| Down the shore | Going to the New Jersey beaches |
| Wooder | Local pronunciation of 'water' |
What to wear
Casual dress is fine almost everywhere; bring comfortable shoes for brick pavements and cobbles, and a warm coat with a hat from December to February.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Phone and internet
- Free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, public libraries and at the airport; US prepaid SIMs and eSIMs are easy to buy.
- Time zone
- America/New York
The main visitor areas are busy and generally comfortable, but car break-ins are common, so leave nothing visible in parked cars. Late at night, stick to well-lit streets and take a ride-hail rather than waiting at quiet subway stations, especially on the northern Market–Frankford Line.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check United States's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Philadelphia?
Tip 18–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, $1–$2 per drink at a counter, 15–20% for taxis and ride-hailing, and a few dollars per bag for hotel porters.
+Can you drink the tap water in Philadelphia?
Tap water is safe to drink.
+What plugs are used in Philadelphia?
Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Philadelphia?
English.