Major city · United States
EphrataEphrata, Pennsylvania
Half a day for the Ephrata Cloister, then move on to Lancaster or Lititz. One night if you want a quiet B&B base.
Ephrata is a small borough in Lancaster County best known for the Ephrata Cloister, an 18th-century religious community. The town itself is quiet, with a handful of covered bridges and a B&B scene. Most visitors spend a few hours at the Cloister and then head to Lancaster, Lititz or Intercourse.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold), Jul–Aug (humid)
- Airports
- MDT · PHL
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Ephrata911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ephrata, 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
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- 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.
- AirportMDT Harrisburg International Airport (About 50 min drive; no direct public transport to Ephrata.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- Sit-down mealDinner (sit-down, per person)$18–35
- Street or quick mealLunch (sandwich or salad)$10–15
- BeerBeer (pint)$5–7
- Budget bedMotel double room (Lancaster), a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedB&B double room, a night, per roomUS$180
- High-end bedB&B double room, a night, per roomUS$280
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
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
- MDT Harrisburg International Airport (About 50 min drive; no direct public transport to Ephrata.) · PHL Philadelphia International Airport (About 1.5 h drive; Amtrak from 30th Street Station to Lancaster, then bus or taxi.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest Apr (12 rain days), driest Oct (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ephrata: 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
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
10 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
9 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. Parking is free at the Cloister and on Main Street. No local bus service worth using.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 15 min
Car, about 15 min via US-222
Central Market, Amish farmlands and the Railroad Museum.
Door to door: 10 min
Car, about 10 min via PA-272
Wilbur Chocolate, Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery and a walkable main street.
Door to door: 25 min
Car, about 25 min via PA-741
Strasburg Rail Road and the Toy Train Museum.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Main Street area
Walkable to the Cloister and a few restaurants; most B&Bs are here.
Lancaster city
15 min drive; more hotels, dining and nightlife.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B double room1 × 1 night × US$180 | US$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Ephrata Cloister entry2 × US$10 | US$20 |
| Car rental per day (compact)1 × US$55 | US$55 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$50 |
| Trip total≈ US$273 per person per day, bed included | US$545 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Lunch (sandwich or salad) | $10–15 |
| Dinner (sit-down, per person) | $18–35 |
| Beer (pint) | $5–7 |
| Gasoline (per gallon) | $3.50–4.50 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Cloister is closed Monday and Tuesday; check the official site for seasonal hours.
- No Uber or Lyft coverage is reliable; arrange a taxi in advance from Lancaster.
- Many restaurants close by 8–9 pm; eat early.
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.
EphrataEphrata, Pennsylvania
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi from Lancaster to Ephrata: about $25–35
- Amtrak Philadelphia → Lancaster: about $25–45, 1 h 15 min (check)
English is universal; no language barrier.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
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 Ephrata. 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: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold), Jul–Aug (humid) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Cloister page with verified hours and ticket prices.
- Covered bridge driving route with GPS coordinates.
- B&B booking widget for 1777 Americana Inn.
Sources
Ask about Ephrata
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