Major city · United States
MediaMedia, Pennsylvania
Give Media one night, or a half-day on the way to Philadelphia: State Street, the courthouse and the Route 101 trolley are the whole town.
Media is the county seat of Delaware County, 12 miles west of Philadelphia, and the last suburb in the US with a trolley running down its main street. It is a compact, walkable borough of about 6,000 people: the courthouse, State Street's restaurants and the Route 101 trolley are within 15 minutes on foot. Most travellers see it in an afternoon or use it as a cheaper, quieter base for Philadelphia.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (humid), Jan–Feb (ice on pavements)
- Airport
- PHL
- Nights
- 1
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.
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Media911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Media Borough Police (non-emergency)610-565-6656
- Poison control1-800-222-1222
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 Media, 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
- SafetyA safe, quiet suburban borough; the real risks are icy pavements in winter, exact-change fares on SEPTA…
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 · 610-565-6656 Media Borough Police (non-emergency) · 1-800-222-1222 Poison control
- 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.
- AirportPHL Philadelphia International Airport (About 16 km (9.9 mi) / 10 miles away; SEPTA bus routes 110, 109 and 37 reach Media…PHL Philadelphia International Airport (About 9.9 mi (16 km) / 10 miles away; SEPTA bus routes 110, 109 and 37 reach Media…
- Getting aroundOn foot: the borough is compact with good pavements and a car is unnecessary for the centre.
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 mealSit-down dinner, mid-range, before drinks and tax$18–35
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$10–16
- BeerDraught beer in a State Street bar$6–9
- Metro or bus rideSEPTA trolley or bus single ride$2.50 cash$2.00 with SEPTA Key (check)
- Budget bedHostel or budget motel bed, a night, per personUS$45
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomUS$160
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomUS$240
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$130 · High US$220
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
- PHL Philadelphia International Airport (About 16 km (9.9 mi) / 10 miles away; SEPTA bus routes 110, 109 and 37 reach Media, or take the train to 69th Street and change.)PHL Philadelphia International Airport (About 9.9 mi (16 km) / 10 miles away; SEPTA bus routes 110, 109 and 37 reach Media, or take the train to 69th Street and change.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C) low), wettest Apr (11 rain days), driest Sep (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Media: 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
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
10 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
9 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°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
On foot: the borough is compact with good pavements and a car is unnecessary for the centre. SEPTA Route 101 trolley runs along State Street to 69th Street Transportation Center; SEPTA Media/Elwyn regional rail connects to Center City Philadelphia, but weekend service is roughly hourly. Buses 110 and 118 run along Baltimore Avenue. Parking is on most side streets plus garages near the State Street business district.
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: About 45–55 min
SEPTA Media/Elwyn regional rail from Media station to Center City
The obvious day trip; weekend trains run roughly hourly.
Swarthmore
goDoor to door: About 20 min
SEPTA Media/Elwyn line one stop east, then a short walk
Small college town with a wooded campus and a good reason to stretch the trip.
Chadds Ford
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Car via US-1 and PA-52, about 13 km (8.1 mi)Car via US-1 and PA-52, about 8.1 mi (13 km)
Brandywine Valley museums and wineries; a car is needed.
Glen Mills
cautionDoor to door: About 15 min
Car via US-1 and PA-322
Mostly shopping and offices; only worth it if you are already driving.
Chester
skipDoor to door: About 25 min by car
Car via I-476 and I-95, or regional rail with a change
Little for a short visit; the riverfront is the only draw.
Lansdowne
cautionDoor to door: About 15 min
Car via Baltimore Avenue and Lansdowne Avenue
A small borough with a farmers market and a historic theatre; pair it with a Philadelphia day.
Tinicum Township
skipDoor to door: About 20 min
Car via I-95
Airport and industrial land; no reason to go unless you are flying.
Marple
skipDoor to door: About 15 min
Car via PA-3 and Springfield Road
Residential township; nothing to plan around.
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.
State Street / downtown
Walk to restaurants, the trolley and the courthouse; the only area worth booking for a short stay.
Baltimore Avenue corridor
Bus 110 and 118 run through; cheaper motels, a longer walk to the centre.
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
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–170 excl. bed
- High
- $170+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 1 night × US$160 | US$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| SEPTA regional rail, Media to Philadelphia, both ways2 × US$13 · check | US$26 |
| Route 101 trolley single ride2 × US$3 · check | US$5 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$49 |
| Trip total≈ US$270 per person per day, bed included | US$540 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax is added at the till and flights are excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Diner breakfast | $10–16 |
| Bagel with spread | $3–6 |
| Casual lunch (sandwich, soup or pizza slice) | $10–18 |
| Sit-down dinner, mid-range, before drinks and tax | $18–35 |
| Draught beer in a State Street bar | $6–9 |
| SEPTA trolley or bus single ride | $2.50 cash / $2.00 with SEPTA Key (check) |
| SEPTA regional rail, Media to Center City Philadelphia | about $6.50 each way (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Weekend regional-rail trains run about once an hour: check the last train before a late dinner.
- Trolley and bus fares are exact-change or SEPTA Key only; drivers do not give change.
- Dining Under the Stars closes State Street on Wednesday evenings in summer: drive around, not through.
- Suburban pavements are lit but quiet after about 22:00; walk the main streets.Suburban pavements are lit but quiet after about 10:00 PM; walk the main streets.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Media Borough Police (non-emergency)
- 610-565-6656
- Poison control
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
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MediaMedia, Pennsylvania
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Media Borough Police (non-emergency)610-565-6656
- Poison control1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No embassies in Media; consulates-general are in Philadelphia and embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- PHL airport to Media by bus: SEPTA routes 110, 109 or 37, about $2.50 cash (check)
- Media to Philadelphia, regional rail: about $6.50 each way, 45–55 min (check)
- Route 101 trolley, State Street to 69th Street: $2.50 cash or $2.00 with SEPTA Key (check)
Say or show
- Where is the trolley stop? — Where is the trolley stop?
- One ticket to Philadelphia, please — One ticket to Philadelphia, please
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is this seat taken? — Is this seat taken?
- The check, please — The check, please
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
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 Media. 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 (humid), Jan–Feb (ice on pavements) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 8 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PHL: last SEPTA connections field-checked, taxi and rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: State Street, the courthouse block, and the trolley line to 69th Street.
- Place pages with verified hours (Delaware County Institute of Science, Media Theatre) and eat pages with last orders.
- Dining Under the Stars and 2nd Saturday fixtures so summer and shoulder-season arrivals can go green.