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I have experienced my last time caught in traffic to AND from Philadelphia.

Can anyone suggest a good rail line to get downtown (near Kimmel Center)? Coming from Hunterdon County, NJ. I could park anywhere on one of the rail lines such as Doylestown, West Trenton, Warminster, etc. but I don't know anything about any of these lines, or available parking.

Suggestions appreciated.

Hup

Take PATCO; it gets you everywhere you want to go in center city. Go down I-295 and exit at Woodcrest station, exit 31 I believe. Park for free and ride safely, cheap, fast, and multiple times per hour.

Thanks! I will try this.

While I don't know Patco, I have taken Septa from Trenton to Philly city center. Additionally you can take NJ transit from Princeton Junction, Hamilton, or New Brunswick/Edison/Metropark... NJtransit would take you to the trenton station, a quick transfer and you are on your way.

I don't know if that will help.

I was in Philly a few weeks ago, and took a taxi from the convention center to the Amtrak station. We were stuck in traffic for about 20 minutes before the driver said "The traffic is too bad. Please get out and walk."

That was enough for me to realize I never want to drive in that city!

I'm sure Philly is bad, but in reviewing the last 5 or 6 years, Philly is in the top 10 worst traffic cities only a couple of times and then at the bottom of the list. I have heard horror stories about LA, DC and NY. The worst I have personally seen is Orlando in the summer, and they don't have any public transit to speak of.

I heard that everyone who fled Memphis went to Philly.

bloke wrote:' people still live there...??

I guess...? I've lived within 150 miles of Philly all my life, and have been there maybe 3 times? I'm always shocked (and a little embarassed) when I realize it's the 5th largest city in the country! I guess I've missed a lot!

Philly is dysfunctional at best, but is actually getting better recently. Getting around by car, and, especially parking, is a challenge, but no more so than any big city. PATCO is a fine way to get from S Jersey into Center City, dropping one off near everything you want to see.
Scottw

Ben wrote:While I don't know Patco, I have taken Septa from Trenton to Philly city center. Additionally you can take NJ transit from Princeton Junction, Hamilton, or New Brunswick/Edison/Metropark...

How is the parking at these stations?

Hup

It depends on when you want to park. I am most familiar with Pr. Jct, as I leave my car there each night commuting back to NYC. If you want to park weekends (anytime) or after 5:30 weeknights, the daily lot spaces are plentiful. Weekday AM's could be challenging - people are usually circling looking for spots when I leave the station at 7:30 AM, if you need to use a weekday, I'd do it before 7:30.

I have heard that parking at Hamilton is tough, New Brunswick near impossible. I don't know about Edison, but my gut feeling is it is a better situation. Metropark is a huge multi-level structure that may be a sure bet. I suggest calling the parking authority at each station, my experience with the West Windsor (Pr. Jct.) lot has been great - they have given me wonderful advice, and even paid my spot if I was ill that day.

As I said earlier, a short drive south on I-295 to Woodcrest Station Exit 31 gets you easy access, free, safe parking and a short train ride on PATCO. Doesn't get any easier than that!