Transportation from Black Falcon Cruise Terminal into Boston

by Emma

Boston's Black Falcon Cruise Terminal seen from the water (this is where the cruise ships dock)

Boston's CruisePort - doors leading to street and Silver Line bus stop

Silver Line bus near Boston's Black Falcon terminal (sorry my camera fogged up when I took this photo!)

Boston Visitor's Center in Boston Common - my favorite place to pick up a free Boston map!

Question: Is there public transportation available from the cruise ship terminal to town and back? We're hoping to see some of Boston while we're here for our cruise, but we don't want to spend a fortune on cabs. Thanks!

Susan's reply Yes, public transportation from Boston's Black Falcon Cruise Terminal ("CruisePort") to Downtown Boston is convenient, fast, and inexpensive on the Silver Line, part of Boston's subway system.

When you go out the street-side doors of the Cruise Terminal, you'll see a big yellow sign toward your left pointing you toward the Silver Line SL2 stop. One-way tickets are $2, and you'll need to have exact change as you board.

Depending on traffic, the Silver Line will take you to South Station in 10-12 minutes (the SL is above ground for a few blocks, and then underground for the rest of the trip). At South Station, you can connect with the Red Line and easily reach various Downtown points - or you can also easily walk.

If you're not familiar with Boston, I'd recommend taking the Red Line to Park station, which is on Boston Common. The Boston Visitor's Center, also on the Common, is nearby. Go in and go up to the counter to request a free Boston map showing the Freedom Trail. This is an excellent map, one of my own favorites, (but you'll have to ask to get the free one - the ones on the racks all cost a few dollars, and while they're good maps, the free one is equally good) and clearly shows key sites, Freedom Trail points, South Station, and part of the South Boston Waterfront neighborhood where the CruisePort is located.

To get back to your ship, walk or take the T (local name for Boston's subway) back to South Station, and transfer to the SL2 Silver Line. If you take the T from a station, you'll need a Charlie Ticket (T ticket) to board.

Or, if you want to explore some of South Boston Waterfront neighborhood by foot, you can also catch the SL2 at several points along Northern Ave (called Seaport Blvd on some maps).

On both the South Boston Waterfront and Black Falcon Terminal pages, I've included maps near the bottom. The Black Falcon page also has a fairly detailed description about taking the T into town, if you want more details.

Best wishes for a wonderful cruise, and a great day exploring Boston!

Susan

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