The Best (and Cheapest) Ways to Get from NYC to Philly
Trying to get from New York to Philadelphia, but Amtrak ticket prices are looking absurd? I’ve got you covered.
I’ve lived in NYC for over half a decade and have gone to Philly for quick trips a dozen times, whether to visit friends or see a concert.
The trip takes between 1.5 and 3 hours, depending on your method and time of day. I’ve tested just about every option: buses, trains, and combinations that most people overlook.
There are several options besides Amtrak that are cheaper and that you can book last-minute.
Sure, they may be slower and not as comfortable, but they’ll get you there. And they’re easy once you know how they work.
Below, I’ll break down the best affordable ways to get between NYC and Philly. I’ll share my thoughts on their price, convenience, and my real-world experience.
TL;DR – Best Ways to Get from NYC to Philly, Car-Free
Here’s the summary.
| Option | Cost (One Way) | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| NJ Transit + SEPTA Commuter Train | $28.55 | 2.5–3 hrs | Avoiding traffic, last-minute trips, or destinations in Philly served by SEPTA |
| Peter Pan Bus | ~$18–45 | 2–3.5 hrs | Pleasant, direct travel between city centers |
| FlixBus / Greyhound Bus | ~$18–45 | 2–3.5 hrs | Should be your last resort, in my opinion |
| Amtrak | ~$10–100 | 1.5 hrs | Most comfortable. Can be cheap if bought in advance or off-hours |
If you’re focused on saving money, the NJ Transit + SEPTA commuter train combo is unbeatable, but it’s not fast. It also avoids traffic, so it’s best if you’re going at busy traffic hours.
For a mix of price and convenience, Peter Pan is your best bet.
And if you’re after speed and comfort—and don’t mind the splurge or can book in advance—Amtrak is no doubt the best.
Option 1: The Peter Pan Bus (≈ $18–30)
If you’d like a simple, direct, affordable option from New York to Philly, look at Peter Pan Bus options.
It’s a normal coach bus. It’s, clean, straightforward, and (usually) comfortable enough for the 2-3 hour ride.
Buses depart from Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan and arrive in Center City Philadelphia, near 30th Street Station. There are multiple departures every morning, afternoon, and evening, giving you plenty of flexibility to match your schedule.
Tickets usually range from $18 to $30, depending on the time and day. Sometimes they spike beyond that, usually around holidays. Even at its most expensive, it’s not too bad.
I’ve written a full breakdown of what to expect — from boarding to seat comfort — in my Peter Pan Bus Review. But the short version: it’s a solid, no-nonsense choice for budget travelers who want a direct route without the chaos of multiple train transfers.
Total time: About 2–3.5 hours, depending on traffic on I-95.
Pros
- Affordable and direct. No transfers or complicated routing.
- Frequent departures throughout the day.
- Usually pretty cheap
- Usually has Wi-Fi and power outlets (though quality varies).
- Easy to book through the Peter Pan website.
Cons
- Traffic-prone: the I-95 corridor between NYC and Philly can get messy, especially on weekends or Friday afternoons. This is a reality of any bus. It can easily stretch to more than an hour of traffic.
- Comfort varies slightly depending on the bus model and driver, but it’s generally standard coach quality. In my opinion, it’s not as comfy as the trains.
For a cheap, direct, no-transfer ride, Peter Pan is a good bet. It’s not fancy, but it gets the job done.
Option 2: NJ Transit + SEPTA Trains ($28.55)
This is, in my opinion, the savviest and most overlooked option for several reasons.
If you’re coming from New York, you go to Penn Station and take an NJ Transit train bound for Trenton, New Jersey. Then at Trenton Transit Center you transfer to a SEPTA commuter train bound for Philadelphia.
Although it’s the slowest option, I like it for several reasons.
Why I like this option
- First, it’s more comfortable than a bus. It glides smoothly and more likely than not you’ll have plenty of space for yourself.
- Second, the price is the same, no matter the time of day and no matter when you book it. It does cost a bit more if you buy your ticket in cash once you’re on the train.) As of this writing, it’s $19.80 for the NJ Transit ticket and $8.75 for the SEPTA ticket. That’s more than Peter Pan often is, but only by a few bucks.
- Third, you don’t have to deal with traffic. It’s more reliable. If you take a bus, you are at the mercy of horrendous traffic between two big cities. If you take the train, you don’t have to worry about it.
Downsides
- The transfer at Trenton can be long and annoying. It’s not ideal if you have heavy luggage. Trains only leave Trenton for Philly every 30-60 minutes. Plan your trains to minimize this.
- It’s the slowest. Let’s just be clear on that. It’s an hour and 40 minutes from New York to Trenton, then 50 minutes from Trenton to Philly, not including your layover.
- If either system is experiencing delays or service changes, the trip time can inflate, as with any transit combo.
- No wifi, which Amtrak and some buses have. But I’m happy to use a hotspot.
Total time: Plan on about 3 hours, depending on connection timing. Check NJ Transit and SEPTA schedules before you go to minimize wait time in Trenton.
Step-by-step directions
- From New York Penn Station, buy an NJ Transit ticket to Trenton Transit Center (use the NJ Transit app, ticket machines, or station agent).
- Board an NJ Transit train that stops at Trenton (confirm the train’s stops — many Midtown/Newark trains do).
- Arrive at Trenton Transit Center and follow signs to the SEPTA Regional Rail platforms.
- Purchase a SEPTA ticket to 30th Street Station (vending machines or SEPTA app).
- Board the SEPTA train toward Philadelphia and ride to 30th St (or your SEPTA stop).
This option isn’t glamorous, but it’s consistently the cheapest train-based route that still gets you into the city without wrestling I-95 traffic or paying Amtrak prices.
Option 3: Amtrak (Fastest and Most Expensive—But You Can Find Deals | $10–$100)
Amtrak is the obvious, most direct choice between New York City and Philadelphia.
Sometimes it’s also the cheapest. Often it’s the most expensive.
Amtrak prices on the Northeast Corridor have surged thanks to sky-high demand and limited track capacity.
It’s not unusual to see one-way tickets topping $80–$100, even for a trip that’s only about 90 minutes long.
That said, don’t write it off.
If you book early or are willing to travel at off-peak times (think late night or early morning), you can sometimes snag tickets for as little as $10–$24.
I guess my point here is to always check Amtrak. If you’re put off by the prices at the hour you need to go, that’s when you should look at other options.
Even a week in advance, it’s possible to find reasonable fares.
For what you’re paying, you do get some clear perks:
- Speed: Around 1 hour 25 minutes from Penn Station to 30th Street Station. It’s easily the fastest way between the two cities.
- Comfort: Big seats, quiet cars, and no transfers.
- Wi-Fi & Outlets: Work or scroll the whole way without worrying about battery.
- Cafe Car: Grab a snack or coffee mid-ride.
There’s absolutely no doubt it’s the most pleasant optin.
It’s also the best option if you’re traveling with luggage, need Wi-Fi to work, or simply want a smoother experience.
I’ve taken some of these all the way to Pittsburgh, and by booking in advance, it was cheap.
Option 4: Greyhound & FlixBus (~ $18–35)
If you’ve searched for cheap NYC–Philly buses, you’ve definitely seen Greyhound and FlixBus pop up.
They’re technically two brands under the same parent company.
- FlixBus: Often leaves from the Penn Station area or curbside stops nearby.
- Greyhound: Departs from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown.
Other than that, they’re functionally the same: low-cost, intercity buses that cover the same route in roughly the same amount of time.
I’ve ridden each in many places in the country. For more details, check out my full reviews of both:
Typical cost: $18–35 Time: 2–3.5 hours, depending on traffic
Pros
- Frequent departures throughout the day.
- Good prices, and they don’t go up that much if you book last-minute.
- Nationwide network. It can be convenient if you’re continuing beyond Philly.
- It’ll get you there. That’s the best thing I can say about both Flix and Greyhound.
Cons
- Hit-or-miss experience: seats can be cramped, and the bus condition varies wildly.
- Traffic delays are just as bad as with Peter Pan.
- Their customer service, including their drivers, can be very bad. And I blame the company for not really having any customer service standards for their staff.
- Comfort and cleanliness often lag behind competitors. Bathrooms are often out of hand sanitizer, as one example of the difference between Peter Pan and Greyhound or Flix.
Greyhound and FlixBus will get you there. If Peter Pan is available at a similar price, take that instead. It’s almost always cleaner, smoother, and better organized.
Don’t Take a Car from New York to Philly
There are plenty of options without a car.
Check Amtrak. Check the buses. If you’re going last-minute and like trains, take the commuter rails.
That’s all I got. What did I miss? Chime in below in the comments section.
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