Transportation

Jump to a specific section to learn more about transportation options for:

Families from more than 80 zip codes throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs attend Germantown Friends School. There are many transportation options, and we’re committed to offering reliable, safe, and convenient options for travel to and from our Main Campus in Germantown.

For our Early Childhood Center City campus at The Curtis Center (601 Walnut Street), most families live and/or work within close proximity and opt to drive or walk their child(ren) to school. Once students move up to Kindergarten on our Main Campus, our Center City campus location additionally serves as a shuttle stop for families who opt to use private transportation.

Please reach out to our Transportation Department with any questions. We’re here to help and look forward to talking with you!

A person dressed in a tiger mascot costume reaches out to hug a student.

Plan Your Route

Free School District Buses (Grades 1-6)

Students who live more than 1.5 miles from GFS qualify for free bus service through the School District of Philadelphia. There are currently five routes that serve GFS. The GFS Transportation Department will forward the names of all enrolled families to the School District, who will notify families in late August with route details.

Please Note:

Only Grades 1-6 are eligible for School District bus service.
The district may offer an optional Flat Rate program for families who opt out of traditional bus service; check the district’s website for current eligibility.

Public Transportation (Grades 7-12)

Students who live more than 1.5 miles from GFS qualify for a free yearly SEPTA Fare Card (valid on all SEPTA transit, including Regional Rail), which are issued to students at the Front Desk in the Main Building at the start of the school year. For students who ride Regional Rail, GFS operates a free shuttle service from Wayne Junction Station in the morning and to Queen Lane Station in the afternoon.

Local Bus Stops:

Route 23 – Germantown Avenue & Coulter Street
Routes H & XH – Greene & Coulter Streets

Regional Rail Shuttle:

Morning: Wayne Junction → GFS
Afternoon: GFS → Queen Lane Station

Suburban Residents

Students in grades K-12 living within 10 miles of GFS are typically eligible for free transportation provided by their local school district. The GFS Transportation Department will share the names of all enrolled students with each suburban school district, and the districts will create the routes and schedules and notify families directly in late August.

Participating Districts Include:

Private Transportation

GFS partners with Philly Trans to offer fee-based private transportation for all students (Early Childhood through Grade 12) who live within the following zones. Families living outside the mapped service areas are welcome to meet within the service area to use these routes.

Option 1: Door-to-Door Service — Chestnut Hill / Mt. Airy / Blue Bell
Option 2: Art Museum / Fairmount / Center City Routes

Option 1: Door-to-Door Service — Chestnut Hill / Mt. Airy / Blue Bell

Option 2: Art Museum / Fairmount / Center City Routes

These routes serve centrally located stops (no door-to-door service) to ensure efficient travel times.

2026-27 Rates:

One-way: $3,000
Round-trip: $5,000
Per Athletic Season/Club Session (One-Way PM): $1,100

Neighborhood Routes Include:

Art Museum/Fairmount
Center City
Northern Liberties/Fishtown (no late service for after-school programs or sports)

After-School Departures (limited stops):

4:15 p.m.: Middle School sports
4:30 p.m.: ASPire & Clubs for EC/Lower School

Direct Service from the Curtis Center to GFS Main Campus (Kindergarten only):

One way: $1,250
Round trip: $2,500

Carpooling

Many families coordinate carpools. Our school directory lists families by zip code, and the Parents Association can help connect those interested in ride-sharing.

A woman leans forward to talk to a student in the passenger's seat of a parked car.

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