Visiting Philadelphia on a Budget

One reason Philadelphia is often called New York City’s sixth borough is the wave of former New Yorkers moving in search of a more affordable and manageable life.

This trend gained momentum during the pandemic. Although housing prices in Philly are increasing, they still compare favorably to other East Coast cities, making it a budget-friendly spot for travelers.

While a good part of your budget should go towards Philadelphia's fantastic museums, there are ways to save. Exploring the city’s stunning historic neighborhoods is free, and the diverse restaurant scene offers options for all price ranges, eliminating the need for a personal vehicle.

Should you fly into Philadelphia or Newark?

Just 14 miles from Center City, Philadelphia International Airport is incredibly convenient. However, the number of available routes has decreased, and flights might require an extra connection and can be pricey.

Flying into Newark International Airport, located 80 miles north in New Jersey, can be a more budget-friendly choice, particularly for international flights. Just remember to consider the cost of getting to Philadelphia (via rental car, Uber, or NJ Transit) to make sure the savings are worthwhile.

Think about taking the train instead of flying

Philadelphia boasts good train connections, so it's wise to check for any discounted tickets ahead of your trip. Amtrak and SEPTA’s New Jersey transit trains arrive at Philadelphia’s magnificent, historic 30th Street Station in West Philly. Multiple bus routes serve the station, and taxis and ride-sharing services are typically affordable.

Use buses or bikes for getting around

You can't go wrong with the value offered by the hop-on-hop-off Philly Phlash Bus Loop, which takes you from the Zoo to Reading Terminal Market to Old City and Eastern State Penitentiary (just $5 for a 1-day pass and $9 for a 2-day pass). Philadelphia’s bike-sharing program, Indego, is also fantastic for navigating the city’s flat streets on a budget.

If you plan to explore beyond the compact city center, consider purchasing a SEPTA travel card, known as 'the SEPTA Key,' which is valid for buses and the subway ($2 per ride, $2.50 without a key card). Buses are particularly user-friendly, but take their schedules with a grain of salt. The subway has only two lines and is useful for longer trips along its north-south and east-west routes, although it can feel unsafe at night.

Plan your museum visits strategically to save money

The city’s premier art venues, the Barnes Foundation and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, offer free admission on the first Sunday of every month, and the museum also has a pay-what-you-wish option on Friday evenings.

The garden at the Rodin Museum is free to visit and provides a charming spot to rest during a stroll along Benjamin Franklin Parkway (some small galleries inside operate on a pay-what-you-wish basis). The new Calder Gardens museum, dedicated to the works of Alexander Calder, is set to open across the street in late 2024; be sure to check for admission fees and discounts.

If you plan on visiting multiple cultural sites, consider getting the City Pass, which offers significant savings for multiple attractions, including the Franklin Institute and the zoo, both of which are great for kids (prices are $54 for adults and $42 for children for three attractions; $82 for adults and $62 for children for five attractions). The Go City pass offers a 3-day all-inclusive experience for $104 for adults and $69 for children.

Maximize your value at sporting events

Unlike most professional sports stadiums, Citizens Bank Park, home to the Phillies MLB team, allows you to bring your own food (snacks, sandwiches, etc.) and non-alcoholic drinks (in sealed plastic bottles). This can save you a significant amount compared to the high prices at stadium food vendors.

Tickets can be quite expensive, especially for Eagles and Sixers games, with playoff prices being outrageous. In comparison, tickets for the city’s increasingly popular pro soccer team, the Union, playing at Subaru Park south of the airport, are generally more affordable.

Looking for budget-friendly sports? Remember, Philadelphia is a college town, home to institutions like the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel, and Temple, along with several well-regarded smaller liberal arts colleges located just north of the city. The Palestra at Penn, which was one of the largest stadiums in the U.S. when it opened in 1927, is a great venue to catch a women's or men's college basketball game.

On brisk fall Saturdays, attending football games at Penn’s Franklin Field is a fantastic experience. A long-standing tradition sees Penn students throwing bread or toast onto the field, which has been in practice since the 1970s, though it’s increasingly seen as wasteful due to food insecurity and the rising cost of living.

During spring and fall weekends, head to the scenic Boathouse Row along Kelly Drive for top-notch (and free) high school and college rowing events.

Timing is crucial when it comes to finding accommodations.

Steer clear of Taylor Swift concert dates—that's a must-follow rule nationwide. Additionally, if possible, avoid weekends for graduations, homecomings, and other major events, such as the World Cup soccer matches set to take place here in 2026.

You might find great deals on summer weekends when everyone heads down the shore. For the most affordable overnight stay, consider dorm beds at the Apple Hostel in Old City.

Enjoy delicious meals for less at markets and food trucks

Philadelphia boasts numerous restaurants worth a bit of a splurge, but there are also many affordable options. Halal carts, specializing in gyros and chicken shawarma, are scattered throughout the city and offer fantastic, budget-friendly meals. Similarly, food trucks on Penn's Campus in West Philly are a great choice.

A highlight of South Philly, the Italian Market is your go-to for quality produce and budget-friendly meals. Vendors along 9th St. from Christian St. to Federal St. offer delicious Italian sandwiches and pizza, while casual Mexican restaurants are concentrated south of Washington on 9th. Nearby, Little Saigon is famous for its Vietnamese eateries, with Ba Le Bakery and Nam Phuong serving up tasty, affordable banh mi and noodles.

Philadelphia's Chinatown is one of the largest in the country, featuring a diverse array of Asian cuisine, from soup dumplings and dim sum to ramen and Peking duck. Many options are excellent value, including all-you-can-eat hotpots if you have the appetite for it.

Another essential stop in Philly, the Reading Terminal Market, offers great deals on meals. Notable mentions include Beiler's Amish Bakery for apple fritters or sticky buns, Pearl’s Oyster Bar for the city’s best oyster stew, Tommy DiNic's for hearty meat sandwiches, and Kamal’s Middle Eastern Specialties for refreshing juices.

The city is filled with affordable happy hours featuring good food. Notable spots include Graffiti Bar in Midtown Village and Mission Taqueria in Center City West. The dive bar Tattooed Mom on South St. has food specials from Monday to Thursday, daily happy hours, and free events and entertainment several nights a week.

Design your own free historical tour

Waiting in line to view the Liberty Bell, encased in glass, is a must for first-time visitors—and it's free! Independence Hall and Congress Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed, are also free to visit. Stroll down charming Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest continuously inhabited street in the U.S., then head to Carpenter’s Hall, which hosted the first Continental Congress in 1744, and the U.S. Mint.

Scattered throughout the city center are other 18th-century buildings, including the neo-classical First Bank of the United States, which was completed in 1797 when Philadelphia served as the U.S. capital and was the first federal building.

As you walk through Society Hill and, to a lesser extent, Queen Village, you'll encounter historical markers indicating significant firsts, such as the Pennsylvania Hospital and the starting point for the Mason-Dixon surveying expedition. City Hall, which was once the tallest building in the world, is impressive to see (entry is free, although tours require payment).

Discover more about the key figures in Philadelphia's history

As one of the oldest cities in the U.S., Philadelphia is home to several historically significant cemeteries. You can visit Benjamin Franklin’s grave, among others, at Christ Church Burial Ground in Old City, the oldest in the nation.

The historic Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church in Queen Village is a hidden treasure. Dating back to circa 1700, it's the oldest standing brick building in Philadelphia and the oldest church in Pennsylvania. St. Peter’s Church’s burial grounds in Society Hill also have roots in colonial times.

Laurel Hill Cemetery, situated along the Schuylkill River, showcases some of the finest examples of Victorian funerary art in the country. Notable figures such as Gene Kelly and beloved Phillies announcer Harry Kalas are interred here, with Kalas’s grave marked by two stadium seats and a large microphone. Among the oldest graves is that of a soldier who served at Custer’s Last Stand.

Admission is free, and they host various interesting events at minimal costs. You can park in the lot across from the main entrance on Ridge or drive into the cemetery and park wherever you prefer. The drive along the river to get there is particularly scenic.

Make the most of the great outdoors

Philadelphia’s public art mural program is one of the most ambitious in the nation, with massive murals easily spotted throughout the city. Be sure to check out the beautiful mosaic Tiffany “Dream Garden” located in the Curtis Center in Old City.

For the cost of a cocktail, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city from the rooftop Bok Bar in South Philly. On the Delaware waterfront, participate in free yoga sessions at Race St. Pier and explore free art exhibitions and fairs at Cherry St. Pier, located a bit further north. Families in Philadelphia often visit Three Sisters Park in the summer, where children can play in the beautifully landscaped water feature.

Discover the city by walking

Central Philadelphia lacks extensive green spaces, but it's dotted with squares like Rittenhouse Square and Washington Square, along with pocket parks and two riverfronts: the Schuylkill River and the Delaware River. Both sides of the Schuylkill feature well-designed walking and cycling paths known as Schuylkill Banks, easily accessible from Schuylkill River Park in Fitler Square, one of the city's more upscale areas.

In search of more greenery? The beautiful Wissahickon Valley Park, located just nine miles north of City Hall, boasts over 50 miles of hiking trails. You’ll be amazed by the size and grandeur of the surrounding trees, especially considering your proximity to the city.

Daily expenses

• Hostel room: $35-45

• Basic room for two: $130-200

• Self-catering apartment (including Airbnb): $110-180

• SEPTA: $2.50 per ride ($2 with a key card)

• Americano: $0

• Cheesesteak: $12–$15

• Dinner for two: $45-100

• Craft beer: $8

Estimated Average Daily Cost (including three meals, accommodation, and a small budget for activities): $75-300