Major city · United States
Atlantic CityAtlantic City, New Jersey
Give it 2 nights: one for the Boardwalk and beach, one for a show or the casinos. Skip if you want quiet — this is a resort strip, not a town.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, heat, higher room rates)
- Airports
- ACY · PHL
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Atlantic City is a 6.4 km Boardwalk resort on Absecon Island, about an hour from Philadelphia by car or NJ Transit train. Casinos and shows anchor the north end; the free beach and the piers run the length of the boards. Two nights covers it; a third only pays off if you are here for a concert or a casino weekend.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Atlantic City, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyThe Boardwalk and casino areas are busy and patrolled; the blocks immediately inland are less so after dark.
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckACY Atlantic City International (About 15 km west of the city; limited scheduled service — check current routes before booking.).ACY Atlantic City International (About 9.3 mi west of the city; limited scheduled service — check current routes before booking.).
- Getting aroundWalk the Boardwalk — it is the main street for visitors.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealCasino buffet or mid-range dinner$25–55
- Street or quick mealSub sandwich (White House Sub Shop)$10–16
- BeerBeer: casino bar / boardwalk stand$8–14 / $6–10
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi within city limitsup to $13 for five passengers
- Museum or sight ticketAbsecon Lighthouse entry$7 adults, $5 ages 4–12 (check)
- Budget bedHostel or budget motel bed, a night, per personUS$45
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$200
- High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$380
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$180 · High US$350
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ACY Atlantic City International (About 15 km west of the city; limited scheduled service — check current routes before booking.) · PHL Philadelphia International (About 100 km west; far more flights. SEPTA to 30th Street, then NJ Transit Atlantic City Rail Line.)ACY Atlantic City International (About 9.3 mi west of the city; limited scheduled service — check current routes before booking.) · PHL Philadelphia International (About 62 mi west; far more flights. SEPTA to 30th Street, then NJ Transit Atlantic City Rail Line.)
Weather and climate
Atlantic City: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C43°F
−3°C27°F
10 rd
Feb
7°C45°F
−2°C28°F
9 rd
Mar
11°C52°F
2°C36°F
10 rd
Apr
16°C61°F
7°C45°F
10 rd
May
21°C70°F
12°C54°F
10 rd
Jun
26°C79°F
17°C63°F
9 rd
Jul
29°C84°F
20°C68°F
9 rd
Aug
29°C84°F
20°C68°F
9 rd
Sep
25°C77°F
16°C61°F
8 rd
Oct
19°C66°F
10°C50°F
8 rd
Nov
13°C55°F
5°C41°F
9 rd
Dec
8°C46°F
0°C32°F
10 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the Boardwalk — it is the main street for visitors. The Atlantic City Jitney minibus runs 24 h along Pacific Avenue and to the Marina District, $2.25 flat. Taxis are metered with a city maximum of $13 for up to five passengers. Bikes are allowed on the Boardwalk only 6:30–10:00 in summer.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Margate (Lucy the Elephant)
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Jitney or taxi south along Atlantic Avenue, about 15 min
1881 elephant-shaped building; 30-minute interior tours.
Ventnor City
goDoor to door: 20–40 min on foot
Walk or bike south on the Boardwalk
Quieter beach and a calmer boardwalk stretch.
Brigantine
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Car or taxi over the Brigantine Bridge, about 10 min
Beach and wildlife refuge; no casinos.
Somers Point
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
Car via the expressway, about 20 min
Bayside restaurants; best with a car.
Hammonton
goDoor to door: About 1 h
NJ Transit Atlantic City Rail Line, about 35 min
Wine and blueberry farms; a half-day change of scene.
Egg Harbor City
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
NJ Transit Atlantic City Rail Line, about 25 min
Small town stop; only worth it for a specific event.
Mays Landing
cautionDoor to door: About 40 min
Car via the expressway, about 25 min
Hamilton Mall and lakefront; needs a car.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Boardwalk (north end)
Casino hotels, shows and the beach at the door; loudest and priciest.
Marina District
Borgata, Harrah's and Golden Nugget; quieter, 10–15 min by jitney from the Boardwalk.
Inland / Absecon
Cheaper motels and chain hotels along the expressway; you will need a car or taxi.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $90–150 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–280 excl. bed
- High
- $280+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 2 nights × US$200 | US$400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$180 | US$720 |
| NJ Transit from Philadelphia, one way2 × US$13 · check | US$25 |
| Jitney ride2 × US$2 | US$5 |
| Taxi within city limits (max)1 × US$13 · up to five passengers, tip extra | US$13 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$25 | US$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$121 |
| Trip total≈ US$334 per person per day, bed included | US$1,334 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Boardwalk slice of pizza | $4–7 |
| Sub sandwich (White House Sub Shop) | $10–16 |
| Casino buffet or mid-range dinner | $25–55 |
| Beer: casino bar / boardwalk stand | $8–14 / $6–10 |
| Jitney ride | $2.25 |
| Taxi within city limits | up to $13 for five passengers |
| Absecon Lighthouse entry | $7 adults, $5 ages 4–12 (check) |
| Atlantic City Aquarium entry | $8 adults, $5 ages 4–12 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Casino floors are 21+; bring photo ID.
- Parking at casino garages is expensive — check for free lots on the north end.
- The beach is free, but swimming is only safe where lifeguards are posted; check seasonal hours.
- Some blocks inland from the Boardwalk are rough after dark — stay on lit, busy streets.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Atlantic CityAtlantic City, New Jersey
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Atlantic City; consulates-general are in New York and Philadelphia. Check your country's list before travelling.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- NJ Transit Philadelphia → Atlantic City: about $12.70 one way, about 1 h 30 min (check)
- Jitney along Pacific Avenue: $2.25 flat, 24 h
- Taxi within city limits: up to $13 for up to five passengers, tip extra
Say or show
- Where is the Boardwalk? — Where is the Boardwalk?
- One jitney ride, please — One jitney ride, please
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the taxi stand? — Where is the taxi stand?
- Is the beach free? — Is the beach free?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Atlantic City. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, heat, higher room rates) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for ACY and PHL: last train and jitney times field-checked, taxi fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Boardwalk north, Steel Pier and the beach, the Marina District, the outlets and Noyes Arts Garage.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Absecon Lighthouse, Atlantic City Aquarium, Boardwalk Hall) and eat pages with last orders.
- Storm and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.