Getting around · Boston · United States
Getting around Boston
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ingfbruno, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Central Boston is compact and best explored on foot, with the MBTA's subway (the T) covering longer hops on the Red, Orange, Blue and Green lines, the Silver Line bus rapid transit to the Seaport and airport, and commuter trains and ferries for day trips. No.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Metro
- Airports
- BOS, PVD, MHT
- Need a car?
- No
- Travel pass
- MBTA 1-day and 7-day passes
Ways to get around
Metro
The T's four subway lines meet downtown at Park Street, Downtown Crossing, Government Center and State; the Green Line's branches serve Back Bay, Fenway and the museums.
Tap a contactless bank card or phone at the faregate, or load a reusable CharlieCard.
Walking
The Freedom Trail, North End, Beacon Hill, Back Bay and the waterfront are all within about a 30-minute walk of each other.
Bus
The Silver Line connects South Station with the Seaport and Logan Airport, and MBTA buses cover the gaps between subway lines.
Ferry
MBTA ferries link Long Wharf with the Charlestown Navy Yard and the South Shore, while seasonal fast ferries run to Provincetown and Salem.
The short Charlestown ferry costs about the same as a subway ride and gives a fine view of the harbour.
Cycling
Bluebikes bike-share has docks across Boston and Cambridge, and the paths along both banks of the Charles River are flat and traffic-free.
Train
MBTA commuter rail leaves from North Station for Salem, Rockport and Concord and from South Station for Plymouth and Providence.
Ride-hailing
Taxis and ride-hailing apps are useful late at night and for the airport, but downtown traffic and one-way streets make short rides slow at rush hour.
Tickets and passes
MBTA 1-day and 7-day passes
Unlimited subway and local bus rides for one or seven days; worthwhile if you ride several times a day.
From the airport
Logan Airport is about 5 km from downtown. The Silver Line SL1 bus runs from the terminals to South Station in about 20–30 minutes and is free from the airport. A free shuttle links the terminals with Airport station on the Blue Line, about 10 minutes from downtown, and water taxis cross the harbour to the waterfront.
Do you need a car?
No. Driving in central Boston is slow and confusing and parking is expensive. Hire a car only for Cape Cod beyond Provincetown, Newport or the New England countryside.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Salem | About 30 minutes by train | Commuter rail from North Station; seasonal ferry from Long Wharf |
| Lexington and Concord | About 40 minutes by car | Car, or commuter rail from North Station to Concord |
| Provincetown, Cape Cod | About 1 hour 30 minutes by fast ferry (seasonal) | Seasonal fast ferry from the Boston waterfront |
| Plymouth | About 1 hour by car | Car, or commuter rail from South Station plus a local bus |
| Newport, Rhode Island | About 1 hour 30 minutes by car | Car or bus |
| Rockport and Cape Ann | About 1 hour 10 minutes by train | Commuter rail from North Station to Rockport |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Boston?
No. Driving in central Boston is slow and confusing and parking is expensive. Hire a car only for Cape Cod beyond Provincetown, Newport or the New England countryside.
+How do you get from the airport to Boston?
Logan Airport is about 5 km from downtown. The Silver Line SL1 bus runs from the terminals to South Station in about 20–30 minutes and is free from the airport. A free shuttle links the terminals with Airport station on the Blue Line, about 10 minutes from downtown, and water taxis cross the harbour to the waterfront.
+What is the best way to get around Boston?
Metro: The T's four subway lines meet downtown at Park Street, Downtown Crossing, Government Center and State; the Green Line's branches serve Back Bay, Fenway and the museums.