As the holiday season ramps up, travel hubs in Philadelphia are bustling with people eager to spend time with family and friends. Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station and Philadelphia International Airport were both packed with travelers on Sunday evening, making it clear that the Christmas rush has begun.
“It’s busy and cold here on the East Coast, but we are trying to stay warm,” said Avin Ramratnam, a traveler navigating the crowds.
For some, the journey was smoother than others. “It takes about three and a half hours sometimes to get back home. Traveling by train via Amtrak is so quick and easy,” said Courtney Thomas. However, Ramratnam’s trip was far from seamless. A delay due to downed overhead wires caused Amtrak to suspend service temporarily between New York and Philadelphia on Sunday morning. “We were supposed to be probably home around now,” said Kiran Ramratnam.
Despite the delays, travelers remained positive. “The station will remain busy for the next few days, but I think braving the crowds is worth it to see my family,” Thomas added.
Philadelphia International Airport is also preparing for an influx of passengers. A spokesperson for PHL Airport anticipates around 300,000 travelers to pass through in the coming days leading up to Christmas.
Travelers like Richard Walczak, who flew in from Portland, Oregon, were excited about their reunion. “I’m incredibly excited to see my friends. I haven’t seen them in five years,” Walczak shared. He and his friends will be celebrating Christmas together for the first time, with plans to bake cookies, wrap presents, and watch movies.
For many, the best Christmas gift is simply spending time with loved ones, no matter how busy the journey may be.
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