Last updated: October 24, 2026 · By Ronen, Stay Near The Venue
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is at 3401 Civic Center Boulevard in University City, West Philadelphia, beside the University of Pennsylvania campus. If your child is having treatment there, a short, predictable trip between your bed and the bedside matters a great deal. This guide covers hotels within walking distance, stays that offer a CHOP rate, apartment-style suites with kitchens for longer admissions, Ronald McDonald House and other low-cost lodging, and how parking and SEPTA work on the Philadelphia campus.
Quick answer: To walk to CHOP, stay in University City. The Sheraton Philadelphia University City and The Study at University City are both about 0.5 miles away, and The Inn at Penn is about 0.6 miles on foot. All three appear on CHOP’s own lodging list with a family rate. For a longer stay with a kitchen, look at AKA University City, which runs a free shuttle through University City, or Homewood Suites University City. Families who live 25 miles or more away can ask their care team for a referral to the Ronald McDonald House on Chestnut Street.
Top hotel picks at a glance
| Hotel | Location & highlights | |
|---|---|---|
| Sheraton Philadelphia University City Hotel | 3549 Chestnut St, about 0.5 miles (around 15 minutes on foot) per CHOP. It… | Check price |
| The Study at University City | 20 S. 33rd St at Chestnut St, about 0.5 miles away. It is a… | Check price |
| The Inn at Penn, a Hilton Hotel | 3600 Sansom St, about 0.6 miles on foot. It is on Penn’s campus, close… | Check price |
| AKA University City | about 0.8 miles away, by 30th Street Station. These are furnished suites with full… | Check price |
| Homewood Suites by Hilton University City | 4109 Walnut St, about 1.3 miles away. Every suite has a kitchenette, and there… | Check price |
| 3737 Chestnut | 3737 Chestnut St, which CHOP describes as about 1 mile (around 15 minutes on… | Check price |
| Club Quarters Hotels | about 1.4 miles away in Center City. The studios and suites have kitchens and… | Check price |
| DoubleTree Center City | 237 S. Broad St, about 2.1 miles away. CHOP lists a rate of $119… | Check price |
Prices change daily – tap “Check price” for live rates on your dates.
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Hotel map: live prices near Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Best areas to stay near CHOP
| Area | Distance / walk time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| University City (Chestnut/Sansom/Walnut, 33rd–37th St) | About 0.5–0.8 miles, roughly a 10–15 minute walk | Walking to the bedside, short notice stays |
| West University City (39th–41st St) | About 1–1.3 miles | Ronald McDonald House, Homewood Suites, longer stays |
| Center City (Rittenhouse, Midtown, Broad St) | About 1.5–2.6 miles, a short SEPTA, taxi or rideshare trip | More hotel choice, CHOP-rate chains, restaurants |
| City Avenue / Cherry Hill, NJ | About 7–10 miles by car | Lowest CHOP rates and free parking if you are driving |
Walking distance hotels in University City
- Sheraton Philadelphia University City Hotel – 3549 Chestnut St, about 0.5 miles (around 15 minutes on foot) per CHOP. It is a large, full-service hotel. CHOP lists a family rate from $168 a night and on-site self-parking at $20 a night with in-and-out privileges. A good fit for most families on a first visit.
- The Study at University City – 20 S. 33rd St at Chestnut St, about 0.5 miles away. It is a quieter boutique hotel, and CHOP lists 15% off the selling rate when you ask for the CHOP rate. Parking is valet.
- The Inn at Penn, a Hilton Hotel – 3600 Sansom St, about 0.6 miles on foot. It is on Penn’s campus, close to cafés and the Penn Bookstore, and has a CHOP booking code. Parking is $20 plus tax. CHOP’s published rates for this hotel are dated 2025, so confirm the current price.
Extended stay and kitchen suites (with a shuttle)
- AKA University City – about 0.8 miles away, by 30th Street Station. These are furnished suites with full kitchens, laundry, wheelchair-accessible and hypoallergenic options, and grocery and pharmacy delivery. It is the only CHOP-listed property with a free shuttle through University City, and it offers CHOP daily, weekly and monthly rates. Ideal for long admissions.
- Homewood Suites by Hilton University City – 4109 Walnut St, about 1.3 miles away. Every suite has a kitchenette, and there is a free daily breakfast and an indoor pool for siblings. CHOP lists 15% off rack rates (ask for the CHOP rate) and parking at $42 a night, or $30 for stays of 30+ nights.
- 3737 Chestnut – 3737 Chestnut St, which CHOP describes as about 1 mile (around 15 minutes on foot). The furnished suites have full kitchens and in-suite washer/dryers, the building is pet-friendly, and CHOP lists the promo code CHOP.
- Club Quarters Hotels – about 1.4 miles away in Center City. The studios and suites have kitchens and in-suite laundry. CHOP lists studios at $125 and deluxe studios at $139, with two-bedroom suites at $240 for larger families.
Best value hotels with a CHOP rate
- DoubleTree Center City – 237 S. Broad St, about 2.1 miles away. CHOP lists a rate of $119 plus tax and parking at $35. It is on the Avenue of the Arts, convenient for Center City dining.
- Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia Midtown – 1305 Walnut St, about 1.9 miles away. CHOP lists a $139 rate; call and ask for the CHOP rate.
- Courtyard by Marriott Philadelphia City Avenue – 4100 Presidential Blvd, about 7 miles away by car. CHOP lists a $79 rate, free parking and 47 rooms set aside for CHOP families. This is the best budget pick if you are driving in.
Ronald McDonald House and low-cost family lodging
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philadelphia Region runs the Chestnut Street House at 3925 Chestnut St, the House that serves CHOP. Per its website, the patient must be 21 or younger and the family’s home must be 25 miles or more away. A hospital referral is needed for first-time guests and for families who have not stayed in the past two years. The suggested donation is $25 a night, but payment is not required, and a room request is not a guaranteed reservation. RMHC also runs two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms inside CHOP: one on the Oncology floor and one on the first floor of Seashore House. CHOP’s lodging page also lists Hosts for Hospitals (stays with volunteer host families for $20 per family per night) and Gift of Life Howie’s House for transplant families. Ask your child’s social worker or care manager about referrals.
Getting there, shuttles & parking
- Parking garages: Per CHOP’s parking page, the Buerger Center Garage (Garage B, Driveway B off Civic Center Blvd) is for all CHOP patients. The Main Hospital Garage (Garage A) is for same-day surgery and Emergency Department families only. CHOP does not publish rates online; they vary with the length of stay and are posted in the garages.
- Parent discounts: Parents and legal guardians can get their parking ticket discounted at a clinic check-in desk or at the first-floor welcome desks in the Main Hospital and Buerger Center. They can also validate it there for in-and-out privileges.
- SEPTA Regional Rail: Per CHOP, the Airport, Wilmington/Newark and Media lines stop at Penn Medicine Station, about a block from campus. The Airport line gives a direct, no-car link from PHL.
- Metro and buses: Take the Market-Frankford Line to 34th St, then walk about 10 minutes south or ride the free LUCY shuttle (about 5 minutes). Trolleys stop at 36th St and 37th St stations, a few blocks away. Bus routes 30, 40 and 42 stop at or near the Main Hospital.
- Amtrak: 30th Street Station is about 1 mile from CHOP, with taxis outside.
Tips for CHOP families
- Always mention CHOP or use the hotel’s code when booking. Several properties have negotiated rates that are not shown in ordinary online searches.
- Book refundable rates. Admission and discharge dates often shift.
- For stays of a week or more, a kitchen suite (AKA, Homewood Suites, Club Quarters, 3737 Chestnut) helps with special diets and keeps costs down.
- If you are not driving, choose a hotel you can walk from, or one near the Market-Frankford Line or the Penn Medicine Station rail lines, so you can skip garage fees entirely.
- Ask your social worker early about Ronald McDonald House. Rooms depend on referrals and availability.
FAQ
What is the closest hotel to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia?
The Sheraton Philadelphia University City (3549 Chestnut St) and The Study at University City (20 S. 33rd St) are the closest hotels on CHOP’s lodging list, each about 0.5 miles away. The Inn at Penn is about 0.6 miles on foot.
Does CHOP offer discounted hotel rates for families?
Yes. CHOP’s Philadelphia Campus lodging page lists negotiated rates and booking codes at hotels including the Sheraton University City, The Study, The Inn at Penn, Homewood Suites, DoubleTree Center City and Courtyard City Avenue. Rates and codes change, so confirm with the hotel when you book.
Is there a hotel shuttle to CHOP?
Among the hotels on CHOP’s list, only AKA mentions a complimentary shuttle running through University City. From 34th and Market St, the LUCY shuttle takes about five minutes to the Main Hospital.
How much does parking cost at CHOP?
CHOP does not list garage prices online. Charges depend on how long you park and are posted in the garages. Parents and legal guardians can get discounted parking and in-and-out validation at hospital welcome and check-in desks.
Who can stay at the Ronald McDonald House near CHOP?
Families of patients aged 21 or younger whose home is at least 25 miles away. First-time guests need a hospital referral. The Chestnut Street House is at 3925 Chestnut St, and the suggested donation is $25 a night but is not required.
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We start at the venue and work outward: walking time, shuttle and transit options first, then guest review scores and value for money. Hotels can’t pay to be listed. Some links are affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability change daily, so always check live rates before you book.



