Boston Public Transportation

Tips and strategies for getting around Boston

Getting around Boston on public transportation saves time, stress, and money.  If you're planning a visit to the city, you'll appreciate that public transportation here is cheap and convenient. 

Boston's public transportation options include the subway (usually called the "T"), bus, commuter rail, and ferries.  The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) manages all of them.  

Other transportation options include water taxis, land taxis, rental cars, Hubway (Boston's bike-sharing system), as well as bringing your own car.  Keep in mind that driving a car in Boston involves challenges . . . navigating Boston's narrow streets, paying for parking garages, and avoiding jaywalking pedestrians, to name just a few.   

This page points you to everything you need to know about getting around Boston: public transportation, Hubway locations, rental car strategies, ferry choices, parking options, and more, including where to find luggage storage in Boston during a layover. 

This page even tells you about buses from Boston to New York, and if you're really adventurous, everything you need to know about RV parking near Boston (and nearby public transportation).

Finally, if you have questions about getting around Boston - or want to see what others have asked (and what we've answered) - check out our Q&A section near the bottom of the page.

Boston public transportation options

Subway - The Boston subway is the public transportation option used by most visitors to the city.  You easily reach almost all of the city's biggest attractions by T, including Fenway Park and TD Garden. 

Hubway - Boston's bike sharing program is the city's newest form of public transportion - and at least during summer months, it's one of the most popular.  Find out how to use Hubway if you're visiting Boston for a short time, how much it costs, and why it will benefit you.  Then, get ready to swipe your card and ride!

Boston-Provincetown Ferry - Convenient and frequent Boston to Provincetown ferry service, as well as ferry service to Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, mean that the Cape and the Islands are just a short ride away.

Commuter Rail- The 11 lines of the MBTA Commuter Rail provide transportation to suburbs and nearby cities such as Providence, RI.  If you're visiting Boston, take the Commuter Rail to Concord and explore historical sites, or to Salem where you can visit the Witch Museum and Peabody Essex Museum.  "The Patriot Train" is the easiest way to reach Gillette Stadium from Boston for a Patriots game.

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Boston Ferry Service - Boston public transportation originated back in 1631, when the Massachusetts Colony granted a charter for a family-run ferry service between Boston and Charlestown - the first in North America.  Today, the Boston ferry provides Inner Harbor service between Boston's Long Wharf and Charlestown plus 3 Commuter Boat routes.

Bus - Almost 200 MBTA bus lines provide transportation between T stations as well as to parts of the city and nearby suburbs with few or no T lines.  If you're a Boston tourist or visitor, check out the Silver Line bus service to Logan Airport, and to the Institute of Contemporary Art.  Cruise ship passengers will appreciate the convenient bus service to and from the Black Falcon Cruise terminal.

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Luggage Storage

Luggage storage presents challenges when you have a 1-day layover in Boston - what you don't want to do is transport your luggage around with you, but neither Logan or the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal have storage lockers.
- Best luggage storage near Boston Logan Airport
- Boston luggage lockers near Black Falcon Cruise Terminal

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Taxis - Land and Water

Water taxis are even more fun.  On-call Boston water taxis carry passengers back and forth between Logan Airport and Downtown Waterfront locations as well as numerous other Inner Harbor docks. Not to be confused with the scheduled Inner Harbor ferries,

Boston taxis provide service around the city and nearby towns and cities, and between Logan Airport and the city. 

Driving and parking in Boston

Driving in Boston  - If you're planning a visit to Boston and wondering if you should bring your car, first consider the inconveniences of navigating narrow, winding city streets filled with jaywalking pedestrians.  The local culture of ignoring traffic signals adds to the hazards.  If you absolutely need to operate a car here, check out these Boston driving tips.

Parking in Boston - Parking in Boston is always a challenge.  Metered parking can be hard to find and some parking garages can cost a small fortune.  Try these tips. 

Quick links to parking information:
Boston parking garages in Fenway 
Boston parking garages near North End attractions 
Boston Common Garage
Boston parking garages near Theatre District and Chinatown

Boston car rentals- If you're flying into Boston, of course you can rent a car at the airport.  But unless you need a car every day during your visit, another strategy to consider is renting a car for just the days or hours when you need it.  Car rental companies specializing in short-term rentals are convenient to the major hotel locations.  Read my Boston rental car tips.

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Boston map

City maps - Whether you use Boston public transportation or some other means of getting around the city on your own, you'll need a map.  One of the best maps showing streets and major attractions is available free at Boston Visitor Information Centers.  You can also buy maps, as well as Boston travel books that include maps.  Check out my recommendations for best options.

Transportation beyond Boston

Boston - New York bus service - Thanks to the large numbers of students, business travelers, and leisure travelers between Boston and New York, bus companies offer ultra-competitive rates and service options ranging from luxury to no-frills.  And don't forget about Amtrac / Acela as well as cheap flights to New York's airports.  Boston - New York bus information

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The Patriot Train - Getting from Boston to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough isn't always easy.  Find out how to take the Patriot Train for New England Patriots games . . . plus other options for getting to the stadium when the train isn't running.  More about getting to Gillette Stadium from Boston

RV parking near Boston

Planning to visit Boston in your RV? - Massachusetts has several picturesque RV parks and campgrounds, including 3 close to Boston.  FInd out which ones are near Boston public transportation on the commuter rail.  At these RV camps, you get the best of both worlds - picturesque New England scenery, plus a convenient way to get to the city.  Massachusetts RV Parks and Campgrounds near Boston

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Any Questions about Getting Around Boston?

If you're wondering how to get from one place to another, if you should rent a car, where you can go on a water taxi, or anything else about getting around Boston, ask, and I'll do my best to answer.

First, though, check out what others have asked - I might have already answered "your" question for someone else.

When asking your question, please fill out the whole form, including lines for name and location that say "optional."

After you send your question, you'll see a page that thanks you and asks you to set notification options. I highly recommend that you check the first 2 boxes so you'll be notified when I reply - otherwise, you'll have no way of knowing other than checking the website periodically. When you see my reply, please let me know if it was helpful!

Thanks for getting in touch, and enjoy your visit to Boston!

Susan

Questions about Getting Around Boston from Others

Here's what others have asked: