Boston is becoming a popular destination. The city welcomes travelers from across the world every year. All thanks to its climate, world-class attractions, unique architecture and rich history. The best way to get around in Boston is the public transit system that is managed by the Massachusetts Bay Transport Authority. There are plenty of ways of getting in and around Boston. Read on to know about the different means of transport in Boston:
Image by Steven James via http://www.panoramio.com/photo/53723060
Getting to Boston by Plane
Image by Paolo Vaghi via http://www.panoramio.com/photo/4334867The main gateway to Boston and New England is the
Boston Logan International Airport. The airport is approx 3 miles from downtown across the harbor. It is in East Boston. There is a multitude of flights every day to Logan International Airport. Some of the airlines that serve this airport are: Delta, American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada, British Airways, and more. The Boston Logan International Airport has 5 terminals, A, B, C and E. A, B, and C are domestic terminals and E is an international terminal.
Getting To and From Airport
Public transportation
The MassPort, or
Massachusetts Port Authority runs the Boston Lagan Airport and manages the ground transportation. The airport is connected with the
MBTA Blue Line airport station. Free buses run from each terminal.
The MBTA Blue and Silver Line buses run to and from airport. The Silver Line is a low-floor bus that has a halt at every terminal for about 10-15 minutes. This line is free from Logan and runs to South Station, thus connecting to the Red Line service. To travel to and from Blue Line airport station, take a free Massport shuttle.
Private transportation
You can get to and from Airport via taxi or cab. Just getting into a taxi/cab at the airport may cost you $10.10, i.e. charge: $7.50 plus the initial fare of $2.50. The fare to downtown is between $20 and $35.
Some of the shuttle services are:
Other Airports in Boston
Getting to Boston by Car
You can get into Boston through the following three major routes:
Interstate-90 from the West; known as the Massachusetts Turnpike
Interstate-95 from the South and North
Interstate-93 from the South and North
Journey hours
From New York to Boston: 4 1/2 hours
Chicago to Boston: 21 hours
Washington, D.C. to Boston: 8-9 hours
Getting to Boston by Train
Image via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SouthStation.agr.JPG
Amtrak home serves Boston. Amtrak has 2 stops in Boston:
North Station: This station in below the TD Garden sports center (Causeway Street). Trains from north side of Boston end here. MBTA Green and Orange lines serve here.
Back Bay Station: This station is in the Back Bay (145 Dartmouth St.). Trains from south and west Boston stop here and then move onto the South Station. Orange Line subway serves this station.
South Station: This station is close to financial district (700 Atlantic Ave., Summer St.) Red Line and Silver Line, except SL5 serve this station.
The Amtrak routes that serve Boston are as follows: Acela Express that operates between Boston, New York, Washington D.C, Philadelphia and Baltimore; Lake Shore Limited that operates from Chicago to Boston every day; Downeaster operates from Brunswick to Boston; and Northeast Regional runs from Virginia to Boston daily.
Getting to Boston by Bus
There are many bus services operating in Boston, serving Boston South Station as well as Boston Logan International Airport.
By subway and local bus: The
MBTA provides an online trip planner that tells you the means of getting to Boston by train, subway or local bus.
By regional bus: Peter Pan bus and
Greyhound stop at the South Station. Many regional bus companies operate from Boston to New York city, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Cape Cod, and Rhode Island.
Getting to Boston by Cruise Ship/Boat
Cruise ships/boat comes at the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal. The terminal is 1 mile from the South Station. There are plenty of cabs available at the terminal. The Silver Line SL2 stops at the Dry Dock Avenue bus stop.
Address:1 Black Falcon Ave., South Boston
Phone:617/330-1500
Getting Around in Boston
The best and easiest way to get around in the city is by walking. Another most effective means of travel around in Boston is the “T” subway system.
Getting Around in Boston on Foot
On Foot is the best way to get around in Boston. Boston is nicknamed as a “Walking city”. All the major attractions, historic sites, charming streets and shops are within walking distance from Boston’s downtown.
Getting Around by Public Transportation- The “T”
Image by Adam E. Moreira via Wikimedia Commons
The Massachusetts Bay Transport Authority, the
“T” (MBTA) manages the public transportation system in Boston. The “T” started in 1897 and is the oldest in America. The MBTA has color-coded subway lines and commuter rail lines, trolleys, bus routes, ferries and boat services. Daily and weekly passes are available. Get an electronic CharlieCard which offers you discounts or decrease fare or free travel; or you can even get a Charlie Ticket from the dispensing machine available at all the stations. There is 1-day and 7-day LinkPass also available. You can take it from a standard machine of $12.00 and $19.00. This pass covers unlimited travel on the local buses and subway.
By Subway & Trolley
Image by MamaGeek via Wikimedia Commons
Get around in Boston by subways and trolleys. They are faster means of transport. The subway system is composed of Red, Blue, Orange and Green lines.
The subway trains run on weekdays from 5:30 am-2:30 am; and on weekends, from 6:30 am-12:00 am. The cost for a single bus ride or subway ride on the T is $2.50, and if you’ve CharlieCard, it will cost you only $2 per ride.
By Bus
The MBTA operates buses and trolleys in and around Boston. The bus service is cheaper. The local bus fare and Silver Line routes SL4 and SL5 are $1.25, provided you have a CharlieCard. CharlieTicket holders have to pay $1.50.
**The Silver Line is a bus rapid transit line with routes SL1, SL2, SL4 and SL5. Routes SL1 and SL2 are part of the subway system; leave from the South Station and offer free transfer to the Red Line service. Routes SL$4 and SL5 are part of the bus system.
Travelling Around in Boston by Taxis
In Boston, there are plenty of taxis. Hail the taxi on the streets or book in advance. Some of the reliable taxi service companies in Boston are- Bay State Taxi Service, Star Taxi, Metro Cab, and more. The fare begins at $2.60 for the first one-seventh mile, plus an extra $0.40 for each extra one-seventh mile. Passengers have to pay the toll fee as well, if traveling from Logan Airport to the city. Also, you can hire a cab to get around the city. There are many cab services available in Boston. Some of the cabs/taxi companies operating in Boston are:
Cambridge Taxi Cab
Address: Cambridge, MA, United States
Phone: 1 617-649-7000
Somerville Taxi Cab
Address: Cambridge, MA, United States
Phone: 1 617-649-7500
Logan Airport Taxi Service
Address: Somerville, MA, United States
Phone: 1 617-201-7886
Independent Taxi Operator's Association
Address: 223 Albany St, Boston, MA 02118, United States
Phone: 1 617-268-1313
Metro Cab
Address: 120 Braintree St, Allston, MA 02134, United States
Phone: 1 617-782-5500
Boston Cab Association
Address: 72 Kilmarnock Street, Boston - 02215, MA, US
Phone: 1 617-536-5010
Milton Cab
Address: 39 Colonial Rd, Milton, MA 02186, United States
Phone: 1 617-698-9800
Top Cab
Address: 281 Lee Burbank Highway, Revere, MA 02151, US
Phone: 617-536-5100
Getting Around in Boston by Water Taxi
Image by Chris Wood via Wikimedia Commons
Water taxis operate every day. The stops are along the Boston Harbor and Logan Airport. These are expensive with one-way fare starting at $10.The companies offering water taxi service in Boston are
Getting Around the City by Car
You can rent a car. There are many car hire companies in operating in Boston. Some of them are:
Budget
Avis
Address: 375 William F McClellan Hwy, Boston, MA 02128, United States
Thrifty Car Rental
Address: 100 Tomahawk Dr, East Boston, MA 02128, United States
Phone: 1 877-283-0898
Hertz
Address: 39 Dalton St, Boston, MA 02199, United States
Phone: 1 617-338-1506
Alamo
Address: 270 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02110, United States
Phone: 1 888-826-6893
National Car Rental
Address: 270 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02110, United States
Phone: 1 888-826-6890
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Address: 1 Congress St, Boston, MA 02114, United States
Phone: 1 617-723-8077
A Map Guide on Getting In and Around Boston City
