Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Whether flying, driving, riding, or sailing, Philadelphians have access to more travel opportunities than ever. With 2026 bringing an influx of visitors for monumental events, increasing the means of getting to our city has also taken priority.
The Philadelphia International Airport has brought in international visitors and flown Philadelphians to global destinations for 86 years. New nonstop routes went live this year, linking Philadelphia to more cities around the world.
PHL hosted a cultural celebration in May to mark the first flights to Prague and Budapest, complete with musical performances and traditional food provided by those from the Hungarian and Czech communities. This event dove into the cultures that are now more easily accessible for Philadelphia travelers to experience. The Airport also emphasizes the importance of these global connections by sponsoring GPA events that promote heritage recognition, and its Chief Strategy Officer Cassie Schmid sits on GPA’s Board of Directors.
Within the same month, Center City welcomed visitors to the new Greyhound bus terminal on 10th and Filbert Streets. Having sat vacant since 2023, the newly renovated Philadelphia Parking Authority Transportation Center will now allow bus riders to arrive or wait in comfort and safety. Greyhound provides connecting rides to popular destinations like New York City, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta.
Vacations along the coast are also within reach. The Port of Philadelphia added a new cruise ship terminal, inviting cruise-goers to ship out of Philadelphia for the first time in 15 years. The first cruise ship left PhilaPort in April 2026, opening up the possibility for seafaring and access to regions such as New England, Quebec, and the Bahamas through Norwegian Cruise Line.
PhilaPort Board Chairman Michael Pearson shared that they are “proud to bring cruising back to Philadelphia in a way that benefits our workforce, our tourism industry, and our local economy.” The development of the city’s tourism and transportation systems also sparks greater cultural exchange, with more people gaining access to travel opportunities that bring Philadelphia closer to the rest of the world.
Amtrak has been a longstanding transportation option that brings visitors to William H. Gray 30th Street Station, which has been undergoing renovations for the last few years. Updates will preserve the original structure, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, while enriching experiences for travelers by adding new shops and outdoor space. Though the project will not be completed until 2028, the interior is now without its construction materials, and visitors can once again witness the grandeur of the space as it welcomes them to our city.
Culture and history are for everyone to experience. With more modes of transportation available, our city can host more visitors and enable more locals to get global experiences. By being more physically connected to other places, Philadelphia can grow our relationship with them too, enriching our understanding of other cultures and bringing the world here.
https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/entertainment/the-scene/norwegian-cruis…
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/filbert-street-greyhound-termin…
https://www.greyhound.com/bus/philadelphia-pa/philadelphia
https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/american-airlines-new-flight…
https://media.amtrak.com/2025/04/amtrak-continues-progress-on-philadelp…
https://www.phl.org/newsroom/BUD_PRA_PHL
