All the Routes, Tips, and Choices for a Smooth Journey
If your travels bring you to the bustling terminals of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), and your destination is the vibrant Atlantic City train station, you’re faced with an entertaining journey. In brief, this is a trip that crosses state lines, traverses metropolitan hubs, and offers a surprising number of options for the savvy traveler. Therefore, whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned commuter, this brief guide will lead you through every detail, option, and consideration for making the trip by public transportation.
Understanding Your Route: The Big Picture
First, let’s look at the journey as a whole. Philadelphia International Airport lies southwest of downtown Philadelphia, while Atlantic City is a major resort city on the Atlantic coast of New Jersey. While there are several flights into Atlantic City, in most cases your airfare is likely going to be cheaper to fly into Philadelphia, then travel to Atlantic City. The distance between the two is about 65 miles (105 km), but your public transit journey will involve some segments and transfers. In some detail, your main options include using regional rail, commuter trains, local subway and bus connections, and even coach services.
Option 1: The Classic Route — SEPTA and NJ Transit Trains
The most common way to use public transportation between Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Atlantic City train station is a combination of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) trains.
Step 1: SEPTA Airport Line from PHL to 30th Street Station
After disembarking your flight and collecting your luggage, follow the signs for Ground Transportation and look for the SEPTA Airport Line station. Philadelphia International Airport has dedicated train stations located at each terminal (A, B, C, D, and E/F). Trains run approximately every 30 minutes during most of the day. First of all, you must buy your ticket. You can purchase tickets onboard using cash, at ticket machines, or with a SEPTA Key card if you have one. As for your travel time, the ride from the airport to 30th Street Station is about 20-25 minutes. In addition, the trains are accessible and have space for luggage.
Step 2: Transfer at 30th Street Station
Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station is a regional rail hub, bustling with Amtrak, SEPTA, and NJ Transit services. Once you arrive, you’ll need to transfer to your next connection. First, you should look signs for NJ Transit or Amtrak. Secondly, If you haven’t purchased your NJ Transit ticket in advance, you can do so at the NJ Transit counter, at a kiosk, or via the NJ Transit app on your phone.. Lastly, if you have time, you’ll find food courts, restrooms, and waiting areas.
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Step 3: NJ Transit Atlantic City Line Train
The NJ Transit Atlantic City Line connects Philadelphia to Atlantic City directly, departing from 30th Street Station. Trains typically run every 1-2 hours, but be sure to check the schedule as services can be less frequent on weekends and holidays. As for boarding, the platform for the Atlantic City Line is typically on the lower level. However, you should check the monitors for the latest track assignment. Generally the travel time to Atlantic City from Philadelphai’s 30th Street Station is about 1 hour and 40 minutes. In addition, the trains have restrooms and are generally more spacious than commuter rail. What’s more, there’s room for luggage and bikes.
Step 4: Arrival at Atlantic City Train Station
You’ll disembark at the Atlantic City Rail Terminal, conveniently located adjacent to the Atlantic City Bus Terminal in the heart of downtown. From here, taxis, jitneys, local buses, and even some hotel shuttles can take you to your final destination.
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Option 2: Via Center City and PATCO
If you prefer subway travel, or you want to access a different schedule or station, you have another route via Center City Philadelphia and the PATCO Speedline.
Step 1: From PHL to 30th Street Station (SEPTA Airport Line)
Follow the same initial step as in Option 1, riding the SEPTA Airport Line from the airport to 30th Street Station. Once you are at 30th Street Station, you take PATCO.
Step 2: Getting to PATCO
PATCO (Port Authority Transit Corporation) connects Philadelphia with southern New Jersey, including Lindenwold, where you can transfer to the Atlantic City Line. From 30th Street Station, you have two main ways to reach a PATCO station. First of all, you can take a SEPTA Regional Rail train or Market-Frankford Line subway eastbound to 15th Street/City Hall, then walk underground to 12th/13th Street station for PATCO. As for your second option, you can also take a taxi, rideshare, or local bus, if you prefer not to transfer via subway.
Step 3: PATCO to Lindenwold Station
Once at the PATCO station (typically 13th/Locust), buy your ticket at a vending machine or by using a Freedom Card. Board any eastbound train and ride to the end of the line—Lindenwold. Additionally, your travel time is about 35-40 minutes from Center City to Lindenwold. Lastly, PATCO trains run every 10-20 minutes, and even more frequently during rush hours.
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Step 4: NJ Transit Atlantic City Line from Lindenwold
At Lindenwold, simply follow the signs for NJ Transit. Purchase your Atlantic City Line ticket at the station or via the NJ Transit app. However, the NJ Transit Atlantic City Line from Lendenwold operates less frequently than PATCO. In other words, you should for possible wait times. As for the travel time, it’s about 1 hour from Lindenwold to Atlantic City. Alternatively, you can also take NJ Transit Route 554 from Lindenwold Station to Atlantic City.
Step 5: Arrival at Atlantic City
As with Option 1, you’ll arrive at the Atlantic City Rail Terminal, ready for your next adventure.
Option 3: Intercity Bus Options
If the train schedules don’t suit your needs, or you prefer the comfort of a direct bus, a few transit services connect Philadelphia and Atlantic City. Greyhound-Flix and NJ Transit Bus are your current options.
Step 1: From the Airport to Philadelphia
To catch a long-distance bus, you’ll need to get from the airport to Philadelphia’s Greyhound service or take NJ Transit bus route 551.. However, the Greyhound Station on Filbert Street has closed and no longer in service. Instead, Greyhound uses curbside service in downtown Philadelphia. In order to do this, you can take SEPTA Airport Line to 30th Street Station. After arriving at 30th Street Station, you will find the Greyhound bus stop outside the SEPTA station. In addition to the stop outside 30th Street Station, there are seven other Greyhound bus stops in downtown Philadelphia. Because there is currently no Greyhound Station in Philadelphia, it is recommended that you visit Greyhound’s website for additional information for bus service in Philadelphia.
Step 2: Bus Service to Atlantic City
Greyhound operates three trips daily from Philadelphia to Atlantic City. You can book tickets online through the Greyhound or Flix website or through the free apps. Because there are only three trips to Atlantic City on Greyhound, a better alternative is NJ Transit Route 551. However, you will have to take the Airport Line, then walk a few minutes to transfer to Route 551. While you have a few options, the easiest way to catch Route 551 is to take the Airport Line, then get off at the Suburban Station. From this station, you must then walk to the City Hall SEPTA stop on Market Street. From this stop, you’ll then take L1 route Frankford Transit Center to the 5th and Independence Hall stop. However, you have a slightly longer walk of about 10 minutes to reach Race and 6th Streets. On the other hand, there are several departures of this route from Philadelphia to Atlantic City. Estimated travel time on any bus service is 1.5 to 2 hours, depending upon your traffic conditions.
Step 3: Arrival and Connections
The Atlantic City Bus Terminal is downtown, steps from the train station. From there, continue to your final destination via local bus, jitney, or taxi.
Option 4: Amtrak and Other Regional Train Connections
While Amtrak does not travel directly to Atlantic City, you may find it useful if you have an Amtrak pass or wish to combine train services. For example, from Philadelphia Airport, you can take the SEPTA Airport Line to 30th Street Station. Once at the 30th Street Station, you can then board an Amtrak train to Trenton, New Jersey. From Trenton, you can then transfer to NJ Transit trains bound for Atlantic City. Either way, this is not the most efficient or cost-effective method. However, it can be worthwhile if schedules or ticketing options are more convenient for you.
Detailed Planning: Schedules, Tickets, and Apps
When planning your journey, timing is everything. Here’s how you can make your trip as smooth as possible:
Checking Schedules
Use official websites and apps: SEPTA.org, njtransit.com, patco.net, Greyhound.com. In addition, you can also download apps for real-time schedules and mobile tickets.
Buying Tickets
For the SEPTA Airport Line , tickets are available via machines, at stations, or the SEPTA Key card or even by tapping your credit card. You can find ticket machines near the SEPTA entrance at Philadelphia Airport or right on the platforms. As for NJ Transit, you can buy at stations, via vending machines, or on the NJ Transit app. With regards to PATCO, tickets are available at all stations or with a Freedom Card. Lastly, for buses, you can purchase tickets at online or via mobile apps.
Fares and Transfers
Fares for SEPTA Airport Line are $2 per trip when using a SEPTA Key Card or tapping your credit card or phone app. For cash or paper tickets, it’s $2.50. As for the NJ Transit Atlantic City Line, it’s around $14 to $22. This is dependent upon whether you pay for an adult fare or a discounted fare. For PATCO train service, the fare is $3 to the Lindenwold Station from stations in Philadelphia. Train fare on the NJ Transit line from Lindenwold Station to Atlantic City is about $10 to $16. Lastly, bus fares from Philadelphia to Atlantic City are about $20 to $22, for one-way fare.
Accessibility
All major segments are ADA-accessible, with elevators, ramps, and space for mobility devices. If you have specific accessibility needs, you should contact the transit providers ahead of time.
Luggage and Comfort
All trains and buses allow standard luggage; for larger items, check policies. In addition, restrooms are available on most trains and intercity buses.
FAQs and Pro Tips
- What is the fastest route? Typically, the direct NJ Transit Atlantic City Line from 30th Street Station is the fastest.
- Are there late-night options? Train and bus services taper after midnight. Plan for earlier arrivals, or use rideshares for overnight connections.
- Is Wi-Fi available? Some buses and select trains offer Wi-Fi, but it’s not guaranteed. Have offline entertainment ready.
- Can I buy tickets with cash? Yes, but mobile and card payments are encouraged.
- What if there are delays? Download the relevant transit apps for alerts and updates. Add buffer time to your itinerary.
- Are there dining options at stations? Yes, major stations like 30th Street and Atlantic City Terminal offer food courts, convenience stores, and restrooms.
- What about safety? All routes are generally safe, especially during the day. Stick to busy, well-lit areas at night, and keep your belongings secure.
Sample Itineraries
Itinerary A: Fastest Train Route
Board SEPTA Airport Line at your terminal. It takes about 25 minutes to the 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. Upon arrival, you will then find and transfer to the NJ Transit Atlantic City Line. Finally, you will arrive in Atlantic City Train Station after a 1 hr 40 minutes trip from Philly. Afterwards, you can walk or take a free AC Jitney, taxi or rideshare to your preferred hotel. You can find more information on the AC Jitney in an upcoming section,
Itinerary B: PATCO Adventure
Firstly, take the SEPTA Airport Line to 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. From the 30th Street Station, you will then transfer to the Market-Frankford subway to 13th Street. Next, at the 13th Street Station, you will then board PATCO Speedline to Lindenwold Station. Then, after deboarding at Lindenwold, you must then transfer to the NJ Transit Atlantic City Line. Lastly, you arrive in Atlantic City. As you can see, this requires a more challenging trip, with two transfers to get to Atlantic City. However, due to the frequency of PATCO departures, it might be a good alternative to the first itinerary.
Itinerary C: Bus & Local Transit
- Take SEPTA Airport Line or bus to Center City.
- Board Greyhound or NJ Transit Bus 551.
- Arrive in Atlantic City Bus Terminal.
- Walk to train station if needed.
Local Connections in Atlantic City
The train and bus terminals are both centrally located. From either, you can hope on an Atlantic City Jitney (minibus shuttle) to reach the boardwalk, casinos, or hotels. If you are arriving at the Atlantic City Train Station, the AC Jitney provides complimentary service to all Atlantic City casinos. For further information, you can visit the Jitney website for routes and respective shuttle stops. As for regular service on the AC Jitney, the cash fare is $3 per person, per ride. In addition, you have the option to purchase sheets of 10 tickets for $22.50 or $7.50 for older riders and riders who have a disability. The Jitney also provides service to other spots along the Jersey Shore. These routes are to Ocean City, Wildwoods and Cape May, respectively. However, these routes are largely seasonal, with only the Cape May route operating after mid-September. However, the Cape May route is free, without any fare or ticket required.
New Jersey Transit
Seven NJ Transit bus routes operate out of the Atlantic City bus station. While the AC Jitney will likely provide you with all the service you need, NJ Transit buses can take you to other areas around Atlantic City. This includes other destinations along the Jersey Shore, including Cape May, Wildwood and Ocean City.
Taxis and Rideshares
- Hire a taxi or rideshare for door-to-door service.
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About The Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com, and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University and is a Bay Area Travel Writers (BATW) member.