30th Street Station
Rail Station
University City, Philadelphia
Has a stamp of approval from visitPA and Visit Philly
"Beautiful station and easy to get in and put of."(6 Tips)
"FREE red cap service!"(5 Tips)
"Old Nelson near the Septa tracks has kombucha"(4 Tips)
"high ceilings of 30th Street"(3 Tips)
319 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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- beautiful station
- architecture
- scenic views
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Even if you're running late, when you run in the front door by the taxis, the trains are at the bottom of the stairs and signs are really clear. Know your train name, number & destination!
Daniel WolfAugust 7, 2014If you have some time to kill, head out to the Porch. It's a plaza just outside the station facing Market Street. Great views of the skyline, nice seating options, and free events. Food trucks too.Upvoted 1 week ago
visitPANovember 3, 2011Great place to people watch, grab a cup of joe, buy your sweetie some posies or drink in the grandeur, architecture & art pieces. Don’t forget to check out the outside plaza, The Patio.Upvoted 2 days ago
Good food selections, never too crowded, orderly. Awesome Amtrak lounge.
Upvoted Mar 12
If you are traveling from a zone outside the city and passing through Center City to another zone outside the city, ask about a "tunnel" ticket. It's a LOT cheaper than 2 separate zone fares ($9.50)
Idus DavisSeptember 15, 2017Beautiful interior. Check out the monument to the members of the Pennsylvania Railroad who gave their lives in WWII.
Milkhouse (grilled cheese and some of the best ice cream I've ever had), and Beck's Cajun Cafe are both AWESOME commuter food.
Clean, well managed. Easy to find where you needed to go
Serving Amtrak, NJT's AC Line, and SEPTA Regional Rail, this gorgeous hub is always busy. Nearby access to local universities and Center City West make this station a popular choice.
jessiApril 2, 2012If you have a long wait, hit up the Bridgewater Pub. Excellent import/craft beer selection. Never heard of them? Tell the bartenders what you like and get a great recommendation.
Jon MooreMay 28, 2018Just beautiful! Love the old style departure board, statue and great selection of food 🚂
RCFebruary 13, 2015Tip: if you needs train seats together with your family or friends, get the Red Cap luggage to take you down early before the rest of the people board. Costs a few bucks but worth it.
BLT ArchitectsOctober 19, 2011Check out the bridge between 30th Street Station and the Cira Center. The colors were chosen to blend the grays of the offices with the golds of the train station. www.BLTa.com- Nothing better than seeing the high ceilings of 30th Street as you ride up the escalators from the Amtrak berths to let you know you're home.
- The last of the Pennsylvania Railroad’s grand stations is a masterful mix of Neoclassical and Art Deco architecture. It’s also very efficiently designed. Waiting for your train is a joy here.
Really well-organized and wide open. Take a lap around the food court before deciding. Plenty of extra seating away from all the tracks and near the food.
If you have a long break before your next train, relax outside on "the porch" facing Market Street. During summer, catch shows or people watch. During winter, head to Bridgewater's Pub. Free wifi.
Step outside the nation's third-busiest train station and enjoy your coffee, along with great views of the city, on The Porch. 30th Street Station's outdoor area offers seating and seasonal events.
Less if a tip, more of a plea. Please add more bike docks. It's a constant competition every morning.
The main hall is reminiscent of historic train travel--beautiful interior
Well located with easy access to Center City and West Philly. Good selection of food options.
Ryan NovakAugust 13, 2019Extremely beautiful compared to other train stations. A lot of character to it.
- There’s not a great system for passengers lining up so expect to navigate around large lines when a train is boarding. I think that’s every station though.
Andrew CAugust 19, 2019It is so funny how stations are abbreviated, like wtf is ZFV?! Anyway, the station is functional and spacious and beautiful (compared to NYC)... not too many food options inside tho!!
Awesome train station. Clean, not overcrowded and has deli and bar.- If you have a lot of luggage or just want to avoid long boarding lines take advantage of the FREE red cap service! They carry your bags, take you to the platform early, and help secure you a seat!
Nothing like a train ride to ease your trouble mind! Relax, sit back, and let the view take you to wherever!
Get here early if you plan on going to the Amtrak ticket window, there's often a long line especially on weekends- 2nd busiest train station in the Amtrak system. Cosi is the best food option in the station.
Jason BJune 13, 2023My favorite, if not the station in the system I’m most familiar with. Being I used to live up the street and around the corner from it.
Use the Amtrak App on your iPhone or Android to pull up your ticket and to avoid waiting in line to pick it up. They'll scan your ticket on your phone now!
Amtrak...best customer service evah! Helped me with a lost ticket and with 5 mins before departure on a Friday rush hour...still made my train to Lancaster! Well done.
If you have a layover and feel a little famished, explore beyond the Jersey Mikes, Cosi, and Saxby's, theres some good food back there.
Check out the amazing bas relief sculpture near the bathroom!
Simona OzomováOctober 7, 2016Beautiful piece of architecture, take your time to see it before your train is due!
On a nice summer night waiting for the train on the outside platform, the view from the building is beautiful and peaceful
Being the first person in line for your train doesn't matter since they let you down to the track before the trains show up
Old Nelson by the regional rail lines has awesome breakfast and a good variety of other things no matter what time of day it is.
Go to the center of the main hall and rock the smooth floor surface with some wild head spin dance moves. Be sure to leave a hat aside for tips.
The women’s toilets are bad, though not the worst I’ve seen. You may not have access to toilet paper, but there mostly clean. Some graffiti present.
PaddyJuly 23, 2016Handy Amtrak/SEPTA hub in Philly. Discount bus lines operate from just outside 30th St station.
The Transit NavigatorAugust 15, 2011While it's known for being a central transit hub, the station also doubles as a great food eatery with wonderful architecture.
I hope they never replace the information board. Love the sound of it!
Katherine WootenSeptember 16, 2014Beautiful train station. It makes me wish that trains were a more common way to travel.
ChevroletSeptember 20, 2010One of the most distinct architectural landmarks in the city, it opened in 1933 with a number of innovative features: pneumatic tube system, an intercom and even roof space to land a small plane.
At least you can appreciate the great architecture while you wait for your train.
Spacious, has a food court, access to many points via train
Beautiful art deco interior with lots of light...and the bathrooms are pretty decent.
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- Mon–Sun
- 24 Hours
(800) 872-7245
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