Cost: Free

Parking is very limited, so please arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment in order to have time to find parking.

Wheelchair availability: Philadelphia VA Medical Center has wheelchairs available upon arrival for patients who need them to access the building.

Van services for Veterans

DAV vans

Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., individual van schedules vary

We work with Disabled American Veterans and county Veterans Affairs directors to provide transportation for Veterans and authorized caregivers to get to scheduled medical appointments.

Non-DAV van services

Many localities in the region provide other van services to Veterans.

Learn more about DAV and the other van services available in your county

Local transportation services

Philadelphia Transportation

Bus
Train
Subway

Other services

Paratransit service: 800-860-8222

Southern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority

Beneficiary travel

Beneficiary travel benefits include round-trip transportation from your home to the medical center, mileage reimbursement, or special mode transport. 

Find out if you qualify for beneficiary travel benefits

Hours

Lobby entrance: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

General visiting: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. daily

Behavioral health inpatient wards

1:00 pm - 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (with physician's permission)

Medical and Surgical Unites

Monday - Friday: 12:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 

Sat., Sun. and Holidays: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Veterans Community Living Center

9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. daily

Visitor policies

• No more than two visitors at a time
•  Visitors may not bring food or beverages to patients without authorization from unit physicians or nurses
• Children are permitted on patient units when accompanied and closely supervised by an adult. Children are never to be left unattended.

See VA Philadelphia's full visitation policy

Visitors are not permitted to stay overnight in the medical center itself. Here are some other options.

Nearby hotels

When booking, ask for the hospital rate. Many hotels have shuttle service to VA hospitals. Check with the hotel you’re staying at.

• Sheraton Philadelphia University City Hotel
  215-387-8000

• The Inn at Penn
  215-222-0200

• Homewood Suites University City
  215-382-1111 

• AKA University City
  215-372-9000

NOTE: These links are provided for your convenience only. VA Philadelphia Healthcare System does not endorse and is not responsible for the content on the linked web sites.

Visit Philadelphia

The official tourism and promotion agency for Philadelphia has up-to-date listings for area hotels, as well as activities, transportation, restaurants, shops and more.  Visit Philly    

Food and drink

Medical Center Canteen

Serving hot and cold entrees, beverages and desserts.

Building 1
First Floor
Hours
Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET
Closed weekends

Starbucks Coffee Shop

Serving a variety of pastries, light sandwiches and beverages.

First floor
Ambulatory Care Building
main entrance
Hours
Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET
Closed weekend 

Vending machines

Available throughout the medical center for your convenience 24 hours a day.

Retail

The Retail Store 

A full-service retail store with such products as electronics, cosmetics, toiletries, and clothing. Purchases are tax-free.

Building 1, 1st Floor
Hours
Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET
Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET

Veterans have access to traditional library services at Philadelphia:

• Newspapers, books and magazines
• Internet access
• Assistance with researching and reference
• Borrowing books
• Veteran and family consumer health materials

Basement level
Room GC115
Phone: 215-823-5800, ext. 5860
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET

North Building
Third floor
Rooms 3B141 and 3B320
Hours: 24/7

Chaplains

When you’re admitted, you can request or decline visits by a VA chaplain. Our chaplains provide spiritual, pastoral, and emotional care for you and your family, in accordance with your own beliefs and practices. This includes locating clergy or religious leaders in the community for needs that our chaplain staff cannot meet.

Interfaith chapel

The chapel is open to anyone at any time for quiet meditation and reflection. The chapel also hosts regularly scheduled services for many denominations. 

Learn how to request chaplain services during your stay at VA Philadelphia.

Use these maps to help you get around the campus.

• Full Philadelphia campus map