Cheltenham Township sits directly along Philadelphia's northern border in Montgomery County and includes several distinct communities and residential areas. Its location creates a transition between the denser neighborhoods of Northwest and Northeast Philadelphia and the suburban communities farther into Montgomery County.

The township contains numerous parks, historic properties, commercial corridors, and cultural institutions, including the Cheltenham Center for the Arts. SEPTA Regional Rail stations throughout the area provide service toward Center City, while Old York Road, Cheltenham Avenue, and nearby Route 309 connect the township with surrounding communities. Nearby destinations include Jenkintown, Glenside, Elkins Park, and the northern sections of Philadelphia.