Getting around Philadelphia from the hotel: transit, walking and taxis

From Hyatt Centric Rittenhouse Square Philadelphia you can walk to many Center City sights (Rittenhouse Square, Walnut Street shopping, museums) and use SEPTA or taxis/rideshares for longer trips. Philadelphia International Airport is a short drive or a 25-minute train ride to Center City via the SEPTA Airport Line (get off at Suburban/Jefferson/30th St.).
In this guide
Where the hotel sits and walking distances
Hyatt Centric Rittenhouse Square Philadelphia is at 1620 Chancellor St in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood, on the corner of 17th and Chancellor. The hotel is in a highly walkable area with streets arranged in a city grid.
Many top Center City attractions are an easy walk from the hotel: Rittenhouse Square and Walnut Street shopping are about 5 minutes on foot, the Franklin Institute is roughly a 15-minute walk, and the Liberty Bell Center is about a 20-minute walk.
- Rittenhouse Square — ~5 minutes on foot
- Walnut Street shopping — ~5 minutes on foot
- Franklin Institute — ~15 minutes on foot
- Liberty Bell Center (Old City) — ~20 minutes on foot
| Place | Typical walk time |
|---|---|
| Rittenhouse Square | 5 minutes |
| Franklin Institute | 15 minutes |
| Liberty Bell Center | 20 minutes |

Getting to and from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
PHL is the primary airport for the city and is roughly a 15–25 minute drive from Center City depending on traffic. The hotel concierge or valet can arrange airport transfers or advise on parking and timing.
A convenient public-transit option is SEPTA's Airport Line: trains run from the airport to 30th Street Station, Suburban Station or Jefferson Station in Center City and take about 25 minutes to reach Center City stations.
- Taxi/rideshare: direct door-to-door, variable time depending on traffic
- SEPTA Airport Line: ~25 minutes to Center City stations (check schedules for frequency)
- Hotel concierge / valet can help with ground transfers
| Option | Notes |
|---|---|
| SEPTA Airport Line | About 25 minutes to Center City stations |
| Taxi / rideshare | Direct; time varies with traffic |
| Hotel-arranged transfer | Ask concierge for options and scheduling |
Using SEPTA and other transit nearby
Center City is served by SEPTA subway, Regional Rail and buses. The hotel is close to downtown subway stops and within easy reach of Regional Rail hubs such as Suburban Station and 30th Street Station.
If you plan to use transit for museums, sports venues or regional travel, check SEPTA schedules and maps for the route you need. Regional Rail and the Market-Frankford/Broad Street lines serve most major destinations and train stations for day trips.
- Nearest subway and trolley stops are within a short walk; Walnut-Locust and 15th St are the closest named stops in the area.
- Regional Rail: 30th Street Station and Suburban Station connect to the Airport Line and Amtrak
- Buses and trolleys can fill gaps — buy SEPTA fares via app or station kiosks
| Transit type | Where it’s useful |
|---|---|
| Subway / Trolley | Short hops inside Center City and to nearby neighborhoods |
| Regional Rail | Airport access and regional day trips (e.g., NY or NJ connections) |
| Bus | Local routes across parts of the city not served by rail |
Taxis, rideshares and car options
Taxis and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are widely available in Center City; the hotel concierge can request a car for you. Taxis are useful for travel when you have luggage or are traveling off-peak when transit frequency is lower.
On-site valet parking is available (ask at check-in for current details). Self-parking is not offered on-site, but staff can direct you to nearby self-parking garages if you rent a car or drive yourself.
- Ask the concierge for taxi or car-arrival instructions and estimated pickup spots
- Valet parking is offered by the hotel; staff can recommend nearby self-park lots
- Rideshare pick-up/drop-off rules can vary by block — concierge can tell you the best curbside spot
| Service | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Hotel Valet | On-site valet parking available; ask for current pricing and in/out privileges |
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | Easy to order via app; pickup location may be curbside nearby |
| Taxi | Can be requested via concierge or hailed on the street |

Walking around Rittenhouse Square and nearby neighborhoods
Rittenhouse Square is a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood with sidewalks, restaurants, shops and parks. The hotel places you within a short stroll of Walnut Street retail, independent cafes, and the park itself.
Maps and a good pair of walking shoes will take you to nearby museum clusters (Museum District, Franklin Institute), the Kimmel Center, and Old City if you want to make a longer walking day of it.
- Rittenhouse Square park — people-watching, benches and seasonal events
- Walnut Street — boutiques and larger retail within a few blocks
- Museum District — walking routes link you to the Franklin Institute and Rodin Museum
| Activity | How to reach from hotel |
|---|---|
| Window shopping on Walnut St | Walk a few blocks east |
| Museum visits (Franklin Institute, Rodin) | Plan for 10–20 minute walks depending on the museum |
| Old City / Liberty Bell | About 20 minutes on foot or a short transit/taxi ride |

Hotel services that help with getting around
The concierge and front desk at Hyatt Centric Rittenhouse Square Philadelphia can help with directions, taxi/rideshare requests, transit advice, and arranging airport transfers. They can also suggest nearby parking garages if you have a car.
If you have luggage or a group, mention your room type when requesting help — for example Room, 1 King Bed; Room, 2 Queen Beds; Suite, Corner; Executive Suite — staff will coordinate appropriate vehicle space or assistance.
- Ask concierge for transit maps, printed directions, and current SEPTA info
- Concierge can arrange taxis, private transfers, and advise on the best pickup points
- Valet staff handle vehicle drop-off and retrieval; verify vehicle-height limits and oversized vehicle policies
| Request | Who to contact at the hotel |
|---|---|
| Airport transfer | Concierge / Front desk |
| Taxi or rideshare assistance | Concierge or Lobby staff |
| Parking directions (self-park nearby) | Valet / Front desk |


