The SEPTA Regional Rail connects Philadelphia, PA and West Trenton, US over a 277-mile route operated by SEPTA, calling at 12 stations across 4 states.
Quick Facts
- Operator
- SEPTA
- Service type
- Commuter Rail
- Endpoints
- Philadelphia ↔ West Trenton
- Distance
- 277 mi
- Frequency
- 13 lines with all-day frequency
- Stations
- 12
- States served
- 4 (PA, US, NJ, DE)
- Typical fare range
- $5 – $11
Route guide
The SEPTA Regional Rail is a commuter rail service operated by SEPTA. Trains run 13 lines with all-day frequency over 277 miles of mainline track between William H. Gray III 30th Street Station and West Trenton, calling at 12 intermediate and terminal stations across 4 states. For background reading on the corridor, several archival route histories are available alongside the operator's own marketing pages.
What to watch for: Schuylkill River along the Manayunk/Norristown Line; the historic Main Line through Wynnewood and Bryn Mawr.
History & service notes
SEPTA inherited Pennsylvania Railroad and Reading Railroad commuter routes in 1983 and threaded them into a single integrated network through the Center City Commuter Connection in 1984. Riders interested in pre-Amtrak operating history of the line can consult classic timetable archives for fuller context.
Equipment
Typical consist on the SEPTA Regional Rail includes silverliner IV and V EMUs, push-pull bi-level sets with ACS-64 locomotives. Equipment assignments may vary by departure and season; consult the operator for the most current information.
Stops along the route
Stations are listed in geographical order from Philadelphia to West Trenton. Times and exact stop sequencing depend on the specific train number and direction; refer to the operator's timetable for departures.
- William H. Gray III 30th Street Station — Philadelphia, PA
- Suburban Station — Suburban Station, US
- Jefferson Station — Jefferson Station, US
- Temple University — Temple University, US
- Airport — Airport, US
- Trenton Transit Center — Trenton, NJ
- Paoli — Paoli, PA
- Exton — Exton, PA
- Downingtown — Downingtown, PA
- Newark, DE — Newark, DE
- Joseph R. Biden Jr. Railroad Station — Wilmington, DE
- West Trenton — West Trenton, US
Sample fares & travel times
Approximate one-way fare ranges and travel times for popular city pairs on this route. Fares vary widely by demand, time of booking, and class of service — these figures are reference midpoints suitable for planning, not booking. Click any pair for a fuller trip guide.
| From | To | Distance | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | Suburban Station | 25 mi | 40m | $8 – $13 |
| Suburban Station | Jefferson Station | 25 mi | 40m | $8 – $13 |
| Jefferson Station | Temple University | 25 mi | 40m | $8 – $13 |
| Temple University | Airport | 25 mi | 40m | $8 – $13 |
| Airport | Trenton | 25 mi | 40m | $8 – $13 |
| Trenton | Paoli | 25 mi | 40m | $8 – $13 |
| Paoli | Exton | 25 mi | 40m | $8 – $13 |
| Exton | Downingtown | 25 mi | 40m | $8 – $13 |
| Downingtown | Newark | 25 mi | 40m | $8 – $13 |
| Newark | Wilmington | 25 mi | 40m | $8 – $13 |
| Wilmington | West Trenton | 25 mi | 40m | $8 – $13 |
| Suburban Station | West Trenton | 252 mi | 5h 12m | $8 – $13 |
| Philadelphia | Jefferson Station | 50 mi | 1h 10m | $8 – $13 |
| Jefferson Station | West Trenton | 227 mi | 4h 42m | $8 – $13 |
| Philadelphia | Temple University | 76 mi | 1h 41m | $8 – $13 |
| Temple University | West Trenton | 201 mi | 4h 11m | $8 – $13 |
| Philadelphia | Airport | 101 mi | 2h 11m | $8 – $13 |
| Airport | West Trenton | 176 mi | 3h 41m | $8 – $13 |
Connections & transfers
Major hubs along the route offer cross-platform transfers to other intercity and commuter services. From Philadelphia, riders can change for connecting trains and intercity buses; the same is true at West Trenton. The corridor passes through cities including Philadelphia, Suburban Station, and West Trenton, each with its own onward service map. A useful reference for cross-network connections is the consolidated national rail connection guide, updated each timetable change.
Further Reading on the SEPTA Regional Rail
- Riding the SEPTA Regional Rail: a first-timer's full-route diary
- Best window seats and viewing tips along the line