Swarthmore College is a college in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, founded in 1864. For a campus visit, register in advance; from the Waterfront Inn, it is about a 13-minute drive.
- Location: Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
- Campus visit: Register in advance through the college’s visit-registration form
- By rail: SEPTA Regional Rail serves Swarthmore Station in downtown Swarthmore
- By car: Take I-476 to Exit 3, then follow Route 320 South
Planning a campus visit
Register in advance for a Swarthmore College campus visit, then use the directions and parking information the college sends after registration.
Start with the college’s visit-registration form to select a visit date. If your chosen date is full, the college encourages you to register for a self-guided tour instead. The visit page may change, so check the official site before you go.
Swarthmore is in the borough of the same name, where the college and downtown are both easy to connect with a rail journey. SEPTA describes the town center as steps from the train station, making it practical to include a walk through downtown around a visit.
Campus access and visitor policies
Register before your visit to receive campus directions and parking information from Swarthmore College.
After you register, the college provides the details for reaching campus and parking. Use those instructions for your visit rather than relying on older parking guidance, which may not reflect current arrangements.
For a group visit, check the college’s current guidance before making plans. Group visits have separate request arrangements, and availability depends on the academic calendar and staff and guide availability.
How do you get to Swarthmore from Essington?
You can drive to Swarthmore from Essington or take SEPTA Regional Rail to Swarthmore Station.
For the borough’s driving route, take I-476 to Exit 3 for Baltimore Pike toward Springfield and Swarthmore. Turn right onto Route 320 South and continue into Swarthmore.
By train, SEPTA’s Media/Wawa Regional Rail line serves Swarthmore Station in downtown Swarthmore. The agency also identifies bus Route 109 as a transit option. Check SEPTA’s official information before setting out for current service details.
Ridley Park station is another rail point in the area; the guide to train connections from Ridley Park covers that stop.
Getting around the campus area
Swarthmore Station is in downtown Swarthmore, and the town center is steps from the station.
If you arrive by rail, you can start in downtown and then make your way to campus. For a campus visit, follow the directions sent after registration, since they include the college’s visitor parking information.
For a car journey, follow the borough’s Route 320 directions into Swarthmore, then use the college’s instructions for the final campus approach. This keeps the town’s general driving route separate from the visit-specific parking guidance. Deshong Park is another area landmark; what to know about trails and visiting Deshong Park can help you plan that stop.
FAQs
Where is Swarthmore College?
Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. SEPTA describes it as founded in 1864.
Should you register before visiting campus?
Yes. The college encourages prospective visitors to register in advance. If a date is full, it encourages visitors to register for a self-guided tour.
Can you reach Swarthmore by train?
Yes. SEPTA’s Media/Wawa Regional Rail line serves Swarthmore Station in downtown Swarthmore. Bus Route 109 is another transit option.
What driving route leads into Swarthmore?
Take I-476 to Exit 3 for Baltimore Pike, turn right onto Route 320 South, and follow Route 320 South into Swarthmore.