How does one purchase and use public transit in Philadelphia for a short stay?

How does one purchase and use public transit in Philadelphia for a short stay? - Young African American woman touching screen of ticket machine in metro station

Philadelphia's public transit system has multiple forms of payment (tokens, passes, contactless cards, and tickets), which is very confusing. Where can one purchase the different forms of payment, what are the advantages/disadvantages of each form of payment, and which makes the most sense for a short stay?

public-transport philadelphia

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How does one purchase and use public transit in Philadelphia for a short stay? - Black man using mobile while commuting by train

How does one purchase and use public transit in Philadelphia for a short stay? - Young African American man using smartphone on train

How does one purchase and use public transit in Philadelphia for a short stay? - Side view of crop unrecognizable female in stylish clothes using credit card while buying metro ticket via electronic machine

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Images: Ono Kosuki, Ketut Subiyanto, Ketut Subiyanto, Ono Kosuki