Philly PHLASH, Philadelphia: Hours, Address, Philly PHLASH Reviews: 4.5/5
Philly PHLASH
Philly PHLASH
4.5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
The Philly PHLASH® Downtown Loop is a visitor-friendly public transit service managed by the Independence Visitor Center Corporation. The PHLASH provides access to stops located near must-see attractions, from Penn's Landing on the Delaware River Waterfront to the Please Touch Museum in Fairmount Park. At just $2 per ride, $5 for a One-Day Pass, or $9 for a Two-Day Pass (Online Exclusive Deal), it's the most affordable way to get around. Children 4 & under, senior citizens, and SEPTA Pass holders always ride free.
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Top ways to experience Philly PHLASH and nearby attractions
The area
Neighborhood: City Center East
How to get there
- 5th St • 2 min walk
- 8th St • 4 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,875 within 3 miles
Morimoto
999
0.2 mi$$$$ • Japanese • Seafood • International
Buddakan
1,219
0.2 mi$$$$ • Chinese • International • Asian
Talula's Garden
1,443
0.3 mi$$$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
High Street Philadelphia
336
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Fork
663
0.2 mi$$$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Red Owl Tavern
1,096
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Vegetarian Friendly
Sonny's Famous Steaks
1,419
0.3 mi$ • Quick Bites • American • Fast Food
Amada
1,233
0.3 mi$$$$ • Spanish • Catalan • Vegetarian Friendly
LaScala's
367
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Terakawa Ramen
192
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Japanese • Asian • Soups
Attractions
396 within 6 miles
The President's House
61
65 ftSpeciality Museums • Historic Sites
Historic Philadelphia-Once Upon a Nation Storytelling Benches
99
111 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
90
112 ftArchitectural Buildings • Educational sites
Independence Mall
507
510 ftNeighborhoods • Historic Walking Areas
Independence Visitor Center
2,437
364 ftVisitor Centers
Liberty Bell Center
4,794
408 ftHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
1,115
0.1 miSpeciality Museums • Educational sites
Independence Hall
9,022
0.1 miHistoric Sites • Government Buildings
Philadelphia History Museum
99
438 ftSpeciality Museums
Robert Morris Statue
4
399 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
631 reviews
Excellent
395
Very good
136
Average
47
Poor
16
Terrible
37
Stacy H
Tampa, FL51 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
I wish more cities had budget friendly transportation that went to all of the popular sites. For $5 a day you can hop on and off this bus as much as you like. The bus was clean and easy to use. The only drawback was that they claim to come every 15 minutes and sometimes it was more. But in their defense the double decker (more expensive) hop on/hop off bus wasn’t doing any better. Probably staffing shortages like everywhere else.
Written July 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ryan M
New York10 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
Very good value. $5 for the whole day and takes you to most of the main attractions. The drivers were very professional. My only complaint is the hours that it runs (10am to 6pm). I felt like it had to start my day late and had to end it early bc of that. But their main competitor I would say is the big bus, which in my past experience costs about $30 a day for the same exact service. The buses are air conditioned and will arrive at each stop every 15 mins, and they are almost on the dot with their rounds. 100% way to go if your staying near the bus route to get around
Written June 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
superbee361
Patchogue, NY101 contributions
Jun 2022
Best value in town to see many attractions not serviced by mass transit or are too far to walk. The ticket to ride is $5 per person for unlimited or $2 per ride. Get an early start on the first bus leaving from Independence Hall Visitors center (also where you buy the tickets) at 10 AM. Last pick up/drop off is a little after 6 PM. The bus is clean and efficient. It takes you to all the places you want to see - Philly Museum of Art, Rocky Statue, State Penitentiary, Franklin Institute and the Touch Please Museum.
Written June 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
LibertyStreet
Milford, MI148 contributions
Dec 2019
Phlash makes a loop from Old City up and around the museum parkway (see discoverable.com) with transfers to the zoo and Please Touch Museum. Seniors and preschoolers free. Buy all day $5 pass online or have 2 dollar bills in your pocket for a single ride (Pay on bus. Exact change needed. Just hop on if you are a senior— driver may ask for ID.) Supposed to arrive at their stops every fifteen minutes. Often yes; occasionally no. (Ended up grabbing a Lyft one day after we stood at stop for 45 minutes, but usually the buses are on time.) Look for their distinctive purple symbol on lamp posts and on their buses.
Check website for reduced parking fees but be aware—you need a PAPER copy of your pass at the garage.
Check website for reduced parking fees but be aware—you need a PAPER copy of your pass at the garage.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Gypsy9
USA26 contributions
Jun 2021
The purple Phlash bus is easy to find (look for the distinctive purple buses and purple banners along the route ). It runs approximately every 15 minutes on a loop (Google "Philly Phlash route map"), and is air-conditioned. My husband and I are over 65 (and from out-of-state), and all we had to do was hold up our driver's licenses when getting on the bus and saying to the driver that we understood that people over 65 ride free, and we were waived onto the bus with no problems. The route is a great way to orient yourself to Philadelphia, and stops at a lot of major attractions. The drivers were very friendly, and the bus stops for a few minutes at the eastern end of the loop (Penn's Landing), where the driver told the passengers they had time use the restrooms there before the bus started the loop back.
Written June 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Paulette G
Georgetown, TX8 contributions
Jun 2021
Wish we took it sooner! Philadelphia is a great walking city but it can be a bit tiring for seniors. Found this bus the last day and it's route hits all the attractions. Plus...senior ride for free. Driver was friendly, bus was clean and...another Plus...it was air conditioned.
Written July 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Carol M
East Chicago, IN46 contributions
May 2021
What a deal. $2 for a ride $5 for the day. Bus runs every 15 minutes they are air conditioned and hit all the spots. We only used it once but would highly recommend it. We walked an average of 5 miles a day, this bus would have been a better choice. We didn’t see cabs in this city maybe one or two over our 5 day visit.
Written May 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
bobber84mn
Little Falls, MN132 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
Very convenient and easy to use. We parked near independence visitor center. Was able to hop on bus. Missed the next stop because we didn’t realize you have to let the driver know you are getting off. Was able to see many things around philly.
Written June 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Tony S
Afton, NY74 contributions
Aug 2013
I discovered the PHLASH trolley this past Wednesday while visiting Philly with my son. It stopped very conviently close to my hotel on Penn's Landing. The price of $2.00 was an unbelievable bargain. The drivers that I encountered were extremely courteous and knowledgeable of the area. It was much better than driving through the crazy city traffic myself, trying to find parking and paying a ridiculous amount to do so, and better than walking in the hot weather. This is the way to go. I wished they continued past 6:00 pm, but all in all terrific. There were many convent stops along the way to get on and off at. The driver also called out the stops and points of interest. I can't say enough good about PHLASH......
Written August 23, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
RedCarnationReady
NYC449 contributions
Jul 2013
We loved the Philly Phlash, and were so happy that indeed, the buses came 'round frequently. I loved the air conditioned trolleys, and nice safe drivers...we really "did the town" thanks to Phlash. We loved visiting the Rodin Museum and Garden, the Philadelphia Art Museum and wanna say "Thanks Phlash!!!!"
Written July 14, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Bought a 2-day consecutive eticket for Phlash for this weekend, don’t know how to use it now, do I have to print it out? Don’t have a printer.
lightweight136
Levittown, NY82 contributions
You can print or show on phone
Jan B
FESTUS
What age is considered Senior?
stephenmac
Cochranville, PA129 contributions
This from the website:
“FREE Rides: At just $2 per ride or $5 for an all-day pass, the PHLASH is the most affordable way to travel around the city for everyone. But for many, the PHLASH is completely free! Among the groups who can always ride PHLASH for free: SEPTA Pass and Key card holders, seniors 65 and older; and children 4 and under.May 29, 2019”
Tara A
Beltsville, MD10 contributions
Where can I buy a physical all day passes for my family? We don't have wifi on our phones and they are old phones and battery life is short so I need an actual pass. It said online buy at visitor center locations but there was no indication where these visitor centers are. Anyone with information that could help would be greatly appreciated.
The Philly visitor center is by the Liberty Bell.
redtamato
Lititz, PA65 contributions
What is the nearest stop to 30th st. station and what would be the best way to get there?
Clive W
Orpington1,699 contributions
Hi,
It depends whereabouts on 30th street you are. Probably the closest is stop 14 at the intersection of 20th and Market Streets. About 10-15 minutes walk. But whether this is the best stop depends where you want to go. Check out the website for further details.
girlsweekend14
Chicago, IL3 contributions
Can I buy philly phlash passes for other people?
I bought one and my name appears as "Attendee"
Could other people use this pass or do they have
to buy their own?
Noplacelikehome445
Pensacola, FL102 contributions
Yes you can. I bought 2, one for me and one for my daughter and it was fine. Have fun!
What ID do I need to ride the Philly PHLASH free?
jcheing
Coconut Creek, FL82 contributions
No ID needed, but it's always good to have and carry your ID for any situation.
Sharon A
3 contributions
Hi, is there any stops near the Sheraton university hotel?
Lester L
Seattle, WA192 contributions
If this is the Sheraton on the West side of the Schuylkill River by Drexel University, there is no Philly Phlash stop close by. The nearest stops would be at the Philadelphia Museum of Art or Logan Square in front of the Ben Franklin Institute. You can go to their web site and click Plan Your Trip, then Maps and Directions, scroll down past city map to the route map. Hope this helps and have a fun trip.
nesmavil
Buenos Aires, Argentina1 contribution
Is the Phlash working on March 2019?
Rosemary C
Port Chester, NY98 contributions
2019! I am not sure, you can go on their website and get more details.
Frequently Asked Questions about Philly PHLASH
- Philly PHLASH is open:
- Fri - Sun 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Hotels near Philly PHLASH:
- (0.14 mi) Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia
- (0.12 mi) Mint House at The Ledger - Philadelphia
- (0.19 mi) Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel
- (0.30 mi) Morris House Hotel
- (0.30 mi) Independence Park Hotel, BW Premier Collection
- Restaurants near Philly PHLASH:
- (0.01 mi) La Colombe
- (0.01 mi) John'S
- (0.04 mi) Independence Beer Garden
- (0.12 mi) LaScala's
- (0.13 mi) Red Owl Tavern