Right at the foot of Swarthmore’s campus lies the Swarthmore SEPTA Regional Rail station, a small hub that connects us to the greater Philadelphia area. This station is frequented by many Swatties who utilize their free SEPTA passes to explore the city, visit friends in other places, and go shopping or grab something to eat in a new place. As someone from an area where the only way to get around was driving, SEPTA is truly magical to me, and I am always thrilled to board the train and let it take me to a new destination.
The first time I ever used my SEPTA pass, I was going into the city with my friends for an event celebrating the start of the new school year for students all over the area. We waited at the platform then boarded the train, which was already bustling with other students on their way into the city for this event. We took our seats, and then went along for the ride.
That first trip on a SEPTA train was incredible. The novelty of being able to just board a train that would take me right to where I wanted to go was exhilarating. Watching the suburbs race by out the window and then slowly transition into the towering skyline of the city of Philadelphia still never ceases to amaze me, and the novelty has yet to wear off for me. My friends and I all enjoy hopping on the train and heading into Philly for some weekend adventures, and the ride itself still continues to be one of my favorite parts of every trip.
The SEPTA stations in the city are also incredible, and are yet another thing I can’t get enough of. The beautiful art-deco William H. Gray Station and the sprawling underground Suburban and Jefferson stations still amaze me every time I set foot in them. These bustling transport hubs are always so lively, and I still find it amazing that all of this is somehow underneath the city of Philadelphia!
While SEPTA is excellent for getting into Philly, that’s not the only thing it’s good for. You can also take the train the other way into the nearby town of Media, which is packed with restaurants and shops and even has a Trader Joe’s! You can also use the SEPTA buses to get virtually anywhere in the area, from the shopping mall just up the road from the college to going from place to place in the city.
SEPTA is an amazing way to get around and explore everything the Philly area has to offer. Whether you want to go explore the city, skip town to go shopping, or just get to the mall, SEPTA can help you get around anywhere. Being able to go anywhere in the city with a train or bus ride has enhanced my experience at Swarthmore in a profound way, allowing me to explore this sprawling cultural hub and create memories with friends.
