Local Tip
Arriving on an international flight? CXI's desk in Terminal A-West, beside Duty Free near Gate A14, opens 07:00 to 21:30 every day. In Center City, phone TD Bank's exchange centre at 1726 Walnut Street before going.
Where to change money in Philadelphia
Walk-in bureaux are scarce in Philadelphia. CXI's Fashion District shop on Market Street has closed permanently, leaving its two airport counters, and the one Center City option we found is a bank's exchange centre.
- TD Bank Foreign Exchange Center, 1726 Walnut Street A TD exchange centre keeping up to 15 currencies for same-day exchange. TD's currency page says US visitors can swap foreign banknotes (not coins) for dollars, but buying currency in a branch needs a TD account and the service is pitched at customers, so ring 215-546-1655 first.
- CXI, PHL Terminal A-West On the international concourse next to Duty Free, just before Gate A14; open 07:00 to 21:30 daily according to CXI's branch page.
- CXI, PHL A/B Connector CXI's second airport counter, between the American Airlines credit union and Minute Suites. The Travelers Aid volunteer desk's guide lists shorter hours, 12:00 to 20:00.
Changing money at the airport
Both currency desks at Philadelphia International are CXI agent counters: Terminal A-West opened in December 2023 and the A/B Connector in March 2025. CXI's airport desks hold the common currencies, can supply more than 80 others if you reserve online or by phone, and will buy back unspent foreign notes for dollars.
The airport lists 17 Bank of America ATMs before and after security, including one near Hudson News in the A-West international arrivals hall.
ATMs and cards in Philadelphia
Away from the airport, a machine owned by a bank other than your own may add a charge on top of your UK bank's fee. Before relying on tap-to-pay for SEPTA, check your card: only Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express work at the validators. If a terminal or ATM proposes sterling, refuse and pay in dollars; MoneySavingExpert says your own card's conversion generally works out better.
Paying for transport in Philadelphia
SEPTA's Airport Line runs every 30 minutes from the terminals to 30th Street, Suburban and Jefferson stations. Tapping a contactless card or SEPTA Key costs $8.75 to Center City, against $11.00 if you pay on board; tap in at the airport and out at your stop, or you are charged the top fare. Buses and the Metro cost $2.90 a ride by tap, with up to two free transfers within two hours on the same card, and since 8 May 2026 a single tap can cover fares for a group of up to five. Medallion taxis charge a flat $32 between the airport and the Center City zone, plus $1 for each additional passenger over 12 on trips from the airport (Parking Authority rate since 6 February 2023).
Good to know
- Cash is protected by city law: Chapter 9-1132 of the Philadelphia Code generally bars businesses that sell goods or services to consumers from turning it away, so dollar notes remain a dependable fallback if a card is declined.
- Sales tax here is 8% in total, as Philadelphia adds 2% to Pennsylvania's 6%, but most clothing and groceries that are not ready to eat are exempt from the state tax.
Key Areas in Philadelphia
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Exchange bureaux, banks and cash machines, as mapped by OpenStreetMap. The map loads only when you ask for it.
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Philadelphia travel money FAQ
Where is the best place to exchange money in Philadelphia?
In Center City, TD Bank's Foreign Exchange Center at 1726 Walnut Street is the walk-in option we found; call first, as TD aims the service mainly at its own customers. At the airport, CXI has counters in Terminal A-West and the A/B Connector. A fee-free card used at a bank ATM is often cheaper than either.
Is there a currency exchange at Philadelphia Airport?
Yes. CXI's counter in Terminal A-West, beside Duty Free near Gate A14, opens 07:00 to 21:30 daily, and a second CXI desk in the A/B Connector keeps shorter hours. The airport also has 17 Bank of America ATMs.
How much is the train from Philadelphia Airport to Center City?
SEPTA's Airport Line costs $8.75 to Center City stations if you tap a contactless card or SEPTA Key, or $11.00 on board, with trains every 30 minutes. Tap out on arrival, and use Visa, Mastercard, Discover or Amex, as other networks are not accepted.
Checked October 2026. Fees, fares and opening times change, so check locally before relying on them. Sources: Philadelphia International Airport (phl.org) · SEPTA · Currency Exchange International (CXI) · TD Bank · Philadelphia Parking Authority · City of Philadelphia
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