How to get from the PHL airport to Chinatown to take the APEX Bus (Philadelphia: buses)

[uclabruins]

I need to go down to DC from philly. I am flying in from the west coast. I was wondering if anyone had any idea of how I could get from the airport to the bush station quickly.

[maf763]

From the airport, take the train (R1) to Market East in CC, which is within a block or two of the bus station.

Have fun at the inauguration.

[CHIP72]

Yeah, the SEPTA R1 runs every 30 minutes between the airport and Center City Philadelphia. At Market East Station, use the 11th and Filbert exit; the Philadelphia stop for most Chinatown buses is literally across Filbert Street from there. (FWIW, the Greyhound station is also nearby, at 10th and Filbert.)

[FindingZen]

IMO either Greyhound, Trailways or their no-frills cousins like Boltbus would be a better investment than APEX or any of the Chinese buses, especially for someone handling luggage from a plane. From my personal experience, the drivers forgo a "safety first" mentality as they speed down the highway at 90MPH before often stopping to fill up at a gas station, the interaction with the surly staff improves somewhat if you are fluent in Chinese and it's a first come, first serve policy for their infrequent buses. Not that the Greyhound crew are "shiny, happy people" themselves... but at least there is an positive difference in service and options along with the difference in cost.

Of course, I'd still wish you well if you chose APEX. Just remember: you (don't) get what you (don't) pay for.

[orrmobl]

I was going to say you can take the R1 to Market East, cross over to 10th and Filbert and catch a Greyhound.

OR

Take the R1 to 30th street, take the R2 back out to Wilmington and catch a Greyhound there..would be cheaper most likely...

[solibs]

best bet is to take the R1 like everyone else said . . . but I hope you're arriving early and/or you're ready to pony up for amtrak b/c those buses are gonna be sold out.

[newmarlig]

Tone - Bolt doesn't go from Philly to DC. As far as being Greyhound's "no frills cousin," actually Bolt is much roomier and more comfortable than Greyhound.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by newmarlig

Tone - Bolt doesn't go from Philly to DC. As far as being Greyhound's "no frills cousin," actually Bolt is much roomier and more comfortable than Greyhound.

Oh I see. Thanks for the education on both counts, newmarlig.

[solibs]

unfortunately megabus also travels only from Philly to NYC. It's a shame that the NYC<->Philly route is completely saturated with some 6 bus lines and regional rail that all offer departures every hour or less and meanwhile the only way to get to DC or Baltimore is on 2 bus lines that only offer a few round trips a day. If the going to DC was easier i'd certainly go to visit friends more often.

[CHIP72]

I definitely hope the parent companies of Megabus and/or BoltBus consider starting Philadelphia-Baltimore-Washington service because I think there's a market there. I agree that it stinks that the only current alternatives are Amtrak (expensive) and Greyhound (trips take too long due to stops in Wilmington, plus Baltimore bus station locations are inconvenient).