The Paoli/Thorndale Line commute favors the inner stations: of the six towns this site covers, Wynnewood's typical run to Suburban Station is 29 minutes and Haverford's is 33, on SEPTA's timetable effective October 18, 2026. Wayne's two 31-minute morning trains beat anything from Bryn Mawr, but its typical ride is 47, so choose Wayne only if the 7:13 or 7:53 fits your day. Gladwyne has no station on the line, and for the whole map of towns, see the Main Line overview.
You're choosing a Main Line town or a house with a train commute to Center City in mind, and you want scheduled minutes by station instead of a timetable to decode.
Paoli/Thorndale Line commute times by Main Line town
Pick Wynnewood or Haverford if you ride at varying hours, and pick Wayne only if you can commit to one of two specific trains. Times below are scheduled weekday minutes to Suburban Station, with Zillow's typical home value for each town's ZIP alongside them.
| Town | Typical inbound | Fastest inbound | Zone | Zillow typical value, Sept 2026 (ZIP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wynnewood | 29 | 28 | 2 | $819,197 (19096) |
| Haverford | 33 | 32 | 2 | $1,167,168 (19041) |
| Bryn Mawr | 36 | 33 | 3 | $923,610 (19010) |
| Villanova | 41 | 37 | 3 | $1,611,051 (19085) |
| Wayne | 47 | 31 | 3 | $833,507 (19087) |
| Gladwyne | No station on this line | $1,625,035 (19035) |
Train time doesn't price these towns. Gladwyne, the highest value, has no station, and Wynnewood, with the shortest ride, has the lowest value of the six. So don't pay a premium for a commute you could get for less two stops down the line. SEPTA changes schedules quarterly, and these are scheduled minutes, not measured arrivals.
Main Line commute by town
Only Wayne has a wide gap between its best and its everyday train. For tax and value, read the Main Line town comparison.
Wynnewood station commute
Wynnewood is the shortest ride of the six at 29 minutes typical, 34 to Jefferson. The station is at 67 E. Wynnewood Rd., and it has 30 inbound trains a day. Its fastest train saves you just one minute, so you don't need to plan your morning around one departure.
Haverford station commute
Haverford runs 33 minutes typical from 43 Haverford Station Rd., in Zone 2 like Wynnewood. Seven trains reach Suburban between 7:00 and 9:30 AM. It's four minutes longer than Wynnewood, and the ZIP's typical value is $347,971 higher.
Bryn Mawr to Philadelphia by train
Bryn Mawr to Center City takes 36 minutes typical and never less than 33 inbound. It's the first Zone 3 stop heading out, at 54 N. Bryn Mawr Ave. Its fastest trip home is 19 minutes, and the catch is two rush-hour trains that skip it.
Villanova to Philadelphia by train
Villanova to Philadelphia is 41 minutes typical, from 308 N. Spring Mill Rd. The ZIP covers 6.23 square miles, so measure your trip to the station first.
Wayne to Philadelphia by train
Wayne to Philadelphia is 47 minutes typical and 31 on two trains. Trains 9582 and 9586 leave at 7:13 and 7:53 and reach Suburban at 7:44 and 8:24, skipping St. Davids through Overbrook. Miss them and you're 11 minutes behind Bryn Mawr's typical ride. Wayne also has the most service of the six, with 33 inbound trains and 9 in the morning window.
Gladwyne commute with no station
The timetable lists no Gladwyne station, so your commute starts with a drive. A routing estimate from the village library to Suburban Station is 11.5 miles and about 20 minutes with no traffic, and that free-flow figure is the best case. Test it at your own hour.
What are the stops on the Paoli/Thorndale Line?
From the city out, the Main Line stops are Overbrook, Merion, Narberth, Wynnewood, Ardmore, Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Rosemont, Villanova, Radnor, St. Davids, Wayne, Strafford, Devon, Berwyn, Daylesford and Paoli, and the line continues west to Thorndale. All times are scheduled weekday inbound minutes to Suburban Station, from the SEPTA timetable effective October 18, 2026.
| Station | Zone | Fastest | Typical | Slowest | Typical to Jefferson | Inbound trains a day | Reach Suburban 7:00 to 9:30 AM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overbrook | 1 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 27 | 31 | 7 |
| Merion | 2 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 7 |
| Narberth | 2 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 32 | 30 | 7 |
| Wynnewood | 2 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 34 | 30 | 7 |
| Ardmore | 2 | 30 | 31 | 33 | 36 | 30 | 7 |
| Haverford | 2 | 32 | 33 | 35 | 38 | 30 | 7 |
| Bryn Mawr | 3 | 33 | 36 | 38 | 41 | 31 | 7 |
| Rosemont | 3 | 35 | 39 | 41 | 44 | 31 | 7 |
| Villanova | 3 | 37 | 41 | 44 | 46 | 31 | 7 |
| Radnor | 3 | 39 | 43 | 46 | 48 | 31 | 7 |
| St. Davids | 3 | 41 | 45 | 49 | 50 | 31 | 7 |
| Wayne | 3 | 31 | 47 | 51 | 52 | 33 | 9 |
| Strafford | 3 | 34 | 49 | 53 | 54 | 32 | 8 |
| Devon | 3 | 37 | 51.5 | 56 | 56.5 | 32 | 8 |
| Berwyn | 3 | 40 | 53.5 | 58 | 58.5 | 32 | 8 |
| Daylesford | 3 | 43 | 55.5 | 61 | 60.5 | 32 | 8 |
| Paoli | 4 | 46 | 58.5 | 64 | 63.5 | 32 | 8 |
Jefferson is five minutes past Suburban on the typical train from every station.
Commute from the inner Main Line stations
From Overbrook to Ardmore, your fastest and typical trains differ by a minute at most, so any train works.
Overbrook station commute
Overbrook is the shortest ride at 22 minutes and the only Zone 1 stop in this table. The two 31-minute Wayne trains pass it without stopping.
Merion station commute
Merion is 25 minutes typical. Its ZIP, 19066 Merion Station, is Zillow's $1,111,342, so it's the one inner ZIP here with a typical value above $1M.
Narberth station commute
Narberth is 27 minutes typical, in Zone 2. The ZIP's typical value is $842,614, close to Wynnewood's, for a ride two minutes shorter.
Ardmore station commute
Ardmore is 31 minutes typical from 39 Station Ave., and it's an Amtrak Keystone stop. Its ZIP is $525,655, the lowest of the ZIPs named on this page.
Commute from Rosemont, Radnor and St. Davids
These three stops get no fast morning train, and their fastest beats the typical one by four minutes at each.
Rosemont station commute
Rosemont is 39 minutes typical, in Zone 3. It mails as 19010 with Bryn Mawr, so check its parcel for the township, using the Main Line ZIP code table.
Radnor station commute
Radnor is 43 minutes typical and 39 at best. It's also a stop on the 4:29 and 6:01 PM evening departures.
St. Davids station commute
St. Davids is 45 minutes typical and 41 at best, because the fast Wayne trains skip it. Driving one stop out for Wayne's 7:13 or 7:53 takes 14 minutes off the typical train time, before you count the extra drive.
Commute from Strafford to Paoli
Past Wayne, best and typical trains differ by 12.5 to 15 minutes, and 8 trains reach Suburban from 7:00 to 9:30 AM, one more than the middle of the line.
Strafford station commute
Strafford is 49 minutes typical and 34 at best, the fastest morning trip from any stop beyond Wayne.
Devon station commute
Devon is about 52 minutes typical and 37 at best. Its fastest outbound trip is 30 minutes, 7 less than its fastest inbound.
Berwyn station commute
Berwyn is about 54 minutes typical and 40 at best. Its ZIP, 19312, is Zillow's $1,000,034, against $866,627 in Devon's 19333.
Daylesford station commute
Daylesford is about 56 minutes typical and 43 at best, and the slowest scheduled train takes 61.
Paoli station commute
Paoli is about an hour on the typical train, 58.5 minutes, and 46 at best. Outbound, its fastest is 41. The slowest takes 64.
Evening commute on the Paoli/Thorndale Line
Rush-hour trains favor the outer stations and leave Bryn Mawr and Villanova off two departures.
| From Suburban Station to | Fastest outbound | Typical outbound |
|---|---|---|
| Bryn Mawr | 19 | 28 |
| Villanova | 23 | 33 |
| Wayne | 24 | 39 |
| Devon | 30 | Check the timetable |
| Paoli | 41 | 52 |
5:08 and 5:33 PM Paoli/Thorndale Line departures
These two skip Overbrook, Bryn Mawr, Villanova and Radnor, then stop at Wayne, Devon and Paoli. Wayne gains at the peak; Bryn Mawr and Villanova lose those two trains.
4:29 and 6:01 PM Paoli/Thorndale Line departures
These two also skip Overbrook, and they do stop at Bryn Mawr, Villanova, Radnor, Wayne, Devon and Paoli.
First and last Paoli/Thorndale Line trains
From Wayne, the first weekday inbound train is 5:02 AM and the last is 11:04 PM. The last outbound train from Suburban leaves at 11:59 PM.
Are they shutting down the Paoli/Thorndale Line?
The line is running: SEPTA has a timetable effective October 18, 2026, with 30 or more inbound weekday trains at each station in the table above. A SEPTA FY2026 budget summary from 2025 did list it to be abandoned as of January 2026. This page can't confirm how the funding was settled, so read SEPTA's service notices before you make a decision that depends on the line.
A shorter-term change is already in the timetable. The Inquirer reported that the October 18 schedule reflects Amtrak work through November 21 and moves inbound arrivals at 30th Street about five minutes earlier, so recheck your train after that date.
How much does the Paoli/Thorndale Line commute cost?
Your cost depends on your zone: Overbrook is Zone 1, Merion to Haverford are Zone 2, Bryn Mawr to Daylesford are Zone 3 and Paoli is Zone 4. This page doesn't print a fare because SEPTA revises them, so read the current ticket and monthly pass prices on SEPTA's fare page. The move from Zone 2 to Zone 3 falls between Haverford and Bryn Mawr, which is worth checking if you're comparing those two. Ask SEPTA about parking at your station too. For a full budget, see the Main Line cost of living breakdown.
Amtrak and the Main Line commute
Yes, Amtrak stops on the Main Line: Keystone Service serves Ardmore, where Amtrak and SEPTA marked the end of station rebuilding in April 2026, with elevators, ramps and high-level platforms. Check Amtrak's Keystone schedule for New York trip times. If regular Amtrak trips matter to you, test Ardmore's station before you settle on a town farther out.
Door-to-desk Main Line commute worksheet
Work out these four numbers before you make an offer on a house.
- Time the trip from the front door to the platform at your hour.
- Choose your train in the timetable, and use its own minutes rather than the fastest figure.
- Add the walk from Suburban to your desk, or add five minutes for Jefferson.
- Check the ride home on the train you'd really take, since 5:08 and 5:33 PM skip Bryn Mawr and Villanova.
On a Haverford house, for example, a 10-minute trip to the platform, a 33-minute ride and a 7-minute walk add up to 50 minutes. Reid can pull recent sales near the station you settle on, and you can name that station when you start a private search for Main Line homes.
Main Line commute FAQs
What are the stops on the Paoli/Thorndale Line?
Going out from the city, the stops are Overbrook, Merion, Narberth, Wynnewood, Ardmore, Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Rosemont, Villanova, Radnor, St. Davids, Wayne, Strafford, Devon, Berwyn, Daylesford and Paoli. The line continues west of Paoli to Thorndale. Inbound trains run through Suburban Station to Jefferson. SEPTA's October 18, 2026 timetable lists every departure.
Does the Paoli/Thorndale Line still run?
Yes. SEPTA published a timetable effective October 18, 2026, with 30 or more inbound weekday trains at every station from Overbrook to Paoli. A 2025 SEPTA budget summary had listed the line to be abandoned in January 2026, and it's still running on this timetable.
How much does the Paoli/Thorndale Line cost?
The fare depends on your zone. Overbrook is Zone 1, Merion through Haverford are Zone 2, Bryn Mawr through Daylesford are Zone 3 and Paoli is Zone 4. This page doesn't quote one; current single-ride and monthly pass prices are on SEPTA's fare page.
How long is the train from Wayne to Philadelphia?
It's typically 47 minutes to Suburban Station and 52 to Jefferson on SEPTA's October 2026 timetable. Two weekday morning trains take 31 minutes, leaving Wayne at 7:13 and 7:53 and skipping St. Davids through Overbrook. The slowest scheduled run takes 51. Going home, the fastest trip from Suburban is 24 minutes and the typical trip is 39.
How long is the train from Bryn Mawr to Center City?
Bryn Mawr to Suburban Station is typically 36 minutes, and 41 to Jefferson, on SEPTA's timetable effective October 18, 2026. The fastest inbound train takes 33 and the slowest 38. Going home, the fastest trip is 19 minutes and the typical trip is 28, though the 5:08 and 5:33 PM departures don't stop at Bryn Mawr.
Does Amtrak stop on the Main Line?
Yes, at Ardmore, which Amtrak says is served by Keystone Service. Its rebuilt station has elevators, ramps and high-level platforms, with completion marked in April 2026. Check Amtrak's Keystone schedule for times, including any trip to New York. Ardmore is also a SEPTA stop, with a typical 31-minute ride to Suburban.
Which Main Line town has the shortest train to Center City?
Of the six towns this site covers, Wynnewood has the shortest typical run at 29 minutes to Suburban Station, followed by Haverford at 33. On the wider line, Overbrook is 22, Merion is 25 and Narberth is 27. Gladwyne has no station on the Paoli/Thorndale Line, so a trip from there starts with a drive.
Sources
Reviewed by Reid Rosenthal
Reid reviewed this page for accuracy on November 5, 2026. Figures come from the sources listed above. Our research process.
Reid Rosenthal is a luxury real estate agent on the Philadelphia Main Line and an Associate Broker who leads The Rosenthal Group at BHHS Fox & Roach, Realtors. RealTrends Verified ranks the team #4 in Philadelphia by sales volume, with $131.59 million across 179 sales in 2025.
- $131.59MTeam sales in 2025, RealTrends Verified
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