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Where to stay in Philadelphia

Philadelphia's main areas sit in a compact, walkable grid between the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. Stay in Old City for Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell; in Center City for Reading Terminal Market, the convention centre and the best transport; around Rittenhouse Square for elegant streets, shops and restaurants; by Logan Square for the Art Museum, the Barnes and the Franklin Institute; or in University City for Penn, Drexel and 30th Street Station. The airport is about 25 minutes from Center City on the SEPTA Airport Line, and most visitors get around on foot or by subway.

Find your area, then your hotel

Tap one of our picks, or any area, to see its hotels on the map, what it costs, where we'd book and how long it takes to get around.

In short: our pick for each kind of trip. Tap one to see why.

Should you stay in

Old City?

Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell & colonial streets

What a night costs

Budget
$160
Mid-range
$215
Luxury
$320

2nd cheapest of 5 areas, about $145 a night less than University City.

Where we'd book

The verdict

America's most historic square mile, with Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, cobbled streets, galleries and bars, close to the Delaware River waterfront.

  • Stay here if
  • First-time visitors
  • History lovers
  • Families
  • Look elsewhere if
  • You want quiet weekend nights
  • You want to be near the Art Museum
  • You want big modern hotels

Minutes to the sights

  • Elfreth's Alley6 minwalk
  • Museum of the American Revolution6 minwalk
  • Liberty Bell Center10 minwalk
  • City Hall10 min
  • Reading Terminal Market11 min
  • National Constitution Center12 minwalk

Stations and airports

15 min to City Hall. The Market-Frankford Line stops at 2nd Street and 5th Street/Independence Hall, and Penn's Landing is a short walk east.

  • From Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)train, metro L141 min
Read the full Old City guide →

Typical rates for a double outside peak events, not live prices. Updated Oct 2026 · How we rate areas · Minutes planned with the Transitous (MOTIS on published GTFS timetables and OpenStreetMap) for a weekday, including walking and waiting · Booking through our links costs you nothing extra and may earn us a commission. Learn more

Philadelphia questions

What is the best area to stay in Philadelphia for first-timers?

Old City puts the big sights within easy reach and is 15 minutes from City Hall. Center City East and Rittenhouse Square are good alternatives.

Which area of Philadelphia has the cheapest hotels?

Center City East and Old City, with budget hotels from around $130 and mid-range around $180–$215 a night.

Where should families stay in Philadelphia?

University City has the best mix of parks, calm streets and sights for kids. Logan Square & Museum District and Old City are good alternatives.

Where is the best nightlife in Philadelphia?

Rittenhouse Square has the most bars, restaurants and late nights. Old City are good alternatives.