30th Street Station
The basics
With its grand columns, soaring ceilings, and art deco windows and light fixtures, 30th Street Station rivals New York’s Grand Central Station with its pomp and grandeur. The third-busiest station in Amtrak’s network and frequented by millions of passengers each year, it is both an important transport destination as well as a landmark dating to 1922 that’s worth visiting for its architecture alone. Many inbound visitors to Philadelphia are likely to pass through its vast concourse, and thanks to its prominent position overlooking the Schuylkill River, it can be viewed on many walks and tours around the city.
Things to know before you go
Station amenities include restaurants, bathrooms, luggage storage, Amtrak Wi-Fi, and vending machines.
30th Street Station is accessible to wheelchair users and offers an accessible waiting room, restrooms, and ticket office.
If you’re waiting for a train, pass the time by seeking out the artworks within the station, including the Angel of the Resurrection sculpture by Walker Hancock and the Spirit of Transportation relief sculpture by Karl Bitter.
How to get there
30th Street Station is a major transit hub served by SEPTA and NJTransit commuter train lines, 11 different Amtrak routes, numerous trolley lines, as well as the Market-Frankford Line of the subway. Megabus services connecting Philadelphia to nearby cities also stop just out front of the station.
Trip ideas
When to get there
30th Street Station is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you’re taking an Amtrak service, it’s recommended to arrive at least 30 minutes before your train’s departure time (or 45 minutes if you plan to check luggage).
30th Street Station neighborhood highlights
Located on the edge of Center City overlooking the Schuylkill River, the 30th Street Station neighborhood includes an array of attractions that you can visit between trips. Head to nearby University City to visit the UPenn and Drexel campuses, explore the Mütter Museum for a dose of medical history, see musical performances at World Café Live, and descend to the Schuylkill River Trail for a waterside ramble.
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- Drexel University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Schuylkill River Trail
- Mütter Museum
- Penn's Landing
- The Franklin Institute Science Museum
- Benjamin Franklin National Memorial
- Rodin Museum
- Barnes Foundation
- Penn Museum
- Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Rocky Statue
- Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
- Rittenhouse Square