Is Philadelphia Expensive?

Is Philadelphia expensive to visit?

Philadelphia is a popular destination that is also moderately priced. It falls in the middle range of travel cost prices globaly with a daily average travel cost of $188. If we compare it to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It ranks in the top 50% of cities in North America for its travel costs. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as Duck and Raleigh.



Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

How expensive is Philadelphia?

Travelers spend an average of $188 per day when visiting Philadelphia (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. You can stay fairly close to this average if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for Philadelphia here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Philadelphia?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a weekend trip to Philadelphia costs around $565 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $1,130.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Philadelphia?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to Philadelphia will cost around $1,319 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $2,638.

Is it expensive to backpack in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia attracts a few backpackers, but traveling on a budget can be challenging because there are only a small number of hostels found here. The average cost of a dorm bed in a hostel in Philadelphia is $26 per night. The cheapest beds cost about $20 and the most expensive are more than $31 per night. (See hostel prices in Philadelphia here.)

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Philadelphia.

  • $31 for a dorm bed at Apple Hostels of Philadelphia

Are hotels expensive in Philadelphia?

If you're considering hotel prices in Philadelphia, you'll find them to be slightly more budget-friendly in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, a night in a hotel room here will set you back approximately $151. In Philadelphia, there are about 2 five-star hotels with an average nightly rate of $372. For a more affordable option, three-star hotels come in at an average of $161 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical choice at $120 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Philadelphia
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
5 stars 2 $372
4 stars 35 $216
3 stars 112 $161
2 stars 91 $120
1 star 3 $183
No rating 4 $219

4520 Chester Avenue, Philadelphia
Overall Rating 9.6
256 South 16th St, Philadelphia
Overall Rating 9.5

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Philadelphia?

In Philadelphia, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $28 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is less than the country's average of $55.

    • Its Always Sunny Shared Walking Tour of South Philly: $39
    • Old City Philadelphia Private Guided Tour: $250
    • Philadelphia Italian Market Walking Tour: $35
    • Welcome to Philadelphia: Private Half-Day Highlights Walking Tour: $180
    • Philadelphia Architecture: Discover Every American Style on a GPS Audio Tour: $7.55
    • Small-Group Discovering Colonial Philadelphia Public Walking Tour: $40
    • Small-Group Public Walking Tour Exploring Philadelphia's Gilded Age to Now: $45
    • Philadelphia Movie and Television Sites Private Walking Tour: $70

    Is food expensive in Philadelphia?

    In Philadelphia, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $49 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $58.

    • Bites and Booze: Walking Food Tour in Philadelphia : $65
    • Flavours of Philadelphia: Private Reading Market 2.5-hr Food Tour: $260
    • Chef-Led Taste of the Italian Market Food Tour: $90
    • Philadelphia's Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
    • Best of Philadelphia Food Tour-Small Group Walking Tour: $59
    • Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $65

    Is transportation expensive in Philadelphia?

    The prices of local transportation in Philadelphia can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $28 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $46. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

    More for Philadelphia

    If you're planning a trip to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, check out these other informative travel guides.



    We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



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