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Getting Around Boston
1. By MBTA or "The T"
Boston has a very extensive public transportation system. The
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority or "The T" (their logo is an
encircled "T") operates the system. There are four major lines and they
are color-coded: Green, Red, Orange, and Blue. The Blue line connects the city
center with Logan Airport (about 15 minutes into the city). Central Boston is
geographically small, and the four subway lines intersect there, creating a square around
the "downtown" area.
The standard MBTA fare is $1.25, except for the Green Line D train
surface portion. Most bus lines are $0.90.
Visitor Passes, with
unlimited subway, bus, and limited ferry travel, can be a great deal. A 1 day pass
is $7.50, 3 day pass is $18, and 7 day pass is $35. The "T" has a complete
Fare Listing and
Subway Map available
on line. Within CelebrateBoston, is a Cross-Reference tool of sites/attractions
and MBTA stations.
About the MBTA, the subways generally run North/South or East/West. You should always refer to the roll-signs on the front and sides of the trains to
see their destination if you get confused.
The Green Line has several lines that branch off into different
destinations. B trains run from Boston College to Government Center. C trains
run from Cleveland Circle to Government Center. D trains run from Riverside to
Lechmere. E trains run from Heath Street to Lechmere. Thus, you may need to
change at Government Center or Park Street depending on the direction you are heading. Also please note E trains branch off at Copley Station, so take a B, C, or D trains
if you are heading to Kenmore Square. Just read the rollsigns to avoid getting on the wrong train.
One final note, a lot of local people prefer to park at MBTA parking lots
adjacent to stations in the suburbs, then commute into work. This is
an excellent alternative, but remember these parking lots are often full
during weekday business hours.
2. By Foot
Boston is a walker’s paradise. The city center is quite
small, and there are short walks that can give you a good feel for the city. The
streets of Boston are not laid out in a grid except for the Back Bay. The layout of
the streets date back to when Boston was a peninsula into the inner harbor.
Washington Street dissected the peninsula and streets emanated from its center near the
Old State House. The hills on the peninsula were cut down and were used to fill
areas on the waterfront and eventually fill the Back Bay. Thus, the streets have
little order but are great to walk around on to view the city. The National
Park Service has Boston Maps
available on line in PDF format, including the Freedom Trail
which shows the downtown area. Below are some interesting walks:
From the Green/Blue Lines Government Center Station, exit the station
and walk across City Hall Plaza. Walk to the right of City Hall, down the
stairs, and across Congress Street to Faneuil Hall. Behind Faneuil Hall is the
Marketplace
with restaurants and cart vendors. If you are not too tired, you can keep walking south
and cross Atlantic Avenue to Christopher Columbus Park and the New England Aquarium. Aquarium Station on the Blue Line is a block from the Marriott Hotel if you do not
want to walk back to Government Center Station or State
Street Station.
From the Green/Red Line Park Street Station, exit the station and walk up Tremont
Street toward Government Center. In this very short walk you will pass the
Park Street Church, Granary Burying Ground, and
King’s Chapel with its burying ground. Continue on to Faneuil Hall if time permits.
From Green Line B, C, D train Hynes/ICA Station, exit the station and walk to the right
to Newbury Street. This is a nice walk for several blocks in an upscale shopping
district. There are sidewalk caf?, hair salons, and sandstone architecture.
Please note the intersecting streets are alphabetic, from this end they go Hereford, Gloucester,
Fairfield, Exeter, Dartmouth, Clarendon, Berkeley, and Arlington. If you do not have
time or do not want to walk that far, you can exit Green Line Copley Station, and just walk
down Dartmouth Street to Newbury Street. Newbury Street ends at Arlington
Street at the Public Garden, and you can take a right toward Boylston Street and Arlington Station
is one block up.
Please remember a city is a city, and thus you should always be aware of your
surroundings and safe guard your belongings.
3. By Tourist Trolley
Tourist trolleys are an excellent way to get around the city. Most
allow unlimited boarding, so you can have lunch or shop, and see the city at your own
pace. Tour operators include Beantown Trolley Tours, Old Town Trolleys, Boston Trolley Tours, CityView Luxury Trolleys,
Discover Boston Multilingual Tours, and Duck Tours.
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