£405+ Cheap flights to Philadelphia

City overview

There is so much to do and see in Philadelphia that it’s hard to know where to start. For most visitors to Philadelphia, it’s best to start at the beginning. After all, this is where the “Declaration of Independence” and the Constitution were written and signed, thus signalling the beginning of American freedom and civil liberties.

Today, travellers to Philadelphia gear up for a whirlwind history lesson. Sure, there’s the Liberty Bell, the signing of the Constitution and Independence Place, but if you look closely you’ll find that history runs deep within the city limits. Pay close attention to the hotels – look closely and you’ll see a combination of old Philadelphia combined with the new world. Philadelphia is packed full of cobblestone streets, grand halls and historic homes.

Movie lovers can run up the stairs of the Capitol building – just like Sylvester Stallone in Rocky – and then stand in line for cheese steak at one of the city’s famous stands. Sports lovers book flights to Philadelphia to cheer on the Eagles, the Phillies, the Flyers and the 76ers.

If you have a day spare then take a flights across to Newark and see the Thomas Edison National Historical Park, flight times are around 30min while a drive will get you there in 2hrs. 

Philadelphia climate

Icy cold winters and extremely humid summers make spring and autumn the best time to take flights to Philadelphia. If you can handle the crowds, Philadelphia goes wild every 4th of July (Independence Day) with fireworks and city-wide celebrations.

Getting around Philadelphia

A quick and easy way to get around the city centre is the Phlash, Philadelphia’s gas-engine trolley. It’s a convenient way to get to Independence Visitor Centre, Penn’s Landing and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The trolley runs every day and can be boarded every 12 minutes at very affordable rates. It also provides direct connections to rail lines.

Getting from the Airport to the City

The main airport for travellers taking flights to Philadelphia is Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). There is a shuttle available from the airport and transfer time is about 30 minutes. Car rental companies operate at the airport as well as limousine service.

What is good to know if travelling to Philadelphia?

• National Park Service rangers invite you to the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site which commemorates Poe’s mysterious death on October 7, 1849. A series of special programs leading up to Halloween explore the famous author’s themes of madness, revenge, premature burial and death.
• Located across from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall in Independence National Historical Park, the Independence Visitor Centre provides a free orientation to the culture, history, shopping and dining throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.
• Plan a visit to the National Constitution Centre where you can explore the Interactive Constitution, a clause-by-clause explanation of the Constitution, providing easy access to basic constitutional facts and interpretation, and searchable by key words and Supreme Court cases.
• Be sure to visit the Philadelphia Stock Exchange (PHLX) which is the oldest stock exchange in the United States.
• Celebrating more than 100 years of Gilbert and Sullivan and located in Philadelphia, the Savoy Company is the oldest amateur theatre company in the world dedicated solely to the production of the works of Gilbert and Sullivan.

Philadelphia airport overview

Philadelphia International Airport is the largest airport in Pennsylvania and an international hub for US Airways. It’s also the main gateway to Philadelphia and Pennsylvania generally.

Philadelphia itself, affectionately known as Philly, is often referred to as “the Birthplace of America”. With a rich and varied history, it’s the fifth-largest city in the US, and has a metropolitan area spanning 12 counties. As a result the atmosphere, architecture and demographic varies quite widely depending on which area you travel to, from up-market art and design centres and historic quarters to working-class areas and quiet, leafy suburbs.

The airport is one of the busiest in the world. It has seven terminals, two of which are international terminals, and more than 160 shops and eateries. The immigration counters are notorious for being understaffed and poorly organised and long queues are common, so if you’re catching a connecting flight, make sure you arrive well in advance.