Added on April 11, 2014  The News Wheel  
No Comments

Navigating the US: Getting Around in Boston, Massachusetts

Decrease Font Size Increase Font Size Text Size Print This Page
Getting Around in Boston

Boston Skyline

What’s the best part about Boston? Is it Fenway Park? Freedom Trail? The North End? Tom Brady’s gorgeous hair? Nope. Trick question: it’s all of those things and the ability to end every single word ending in –r with –ah. How’s yah fatha? Have a look at the ways of getting around in Boston; it’s a wicked pissah.

Recommended Modes of Transportation

In Boston, the “T” is your friend. Otherwise known as the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the MBTA has you covered with convenient and inexpensive subways, buses, commuter rails, and boats. For full maps and schedules, check out http://www.mbta.com.
Taxis are also particularly popular in Boston around areas like TD Garden and the Old North Church. All taxis are required by law to use meters, and the cost from Logan International to the heart of Boston will run approximately $25-$30 in one direction.
Once you are within the city limits, you will also have the option of biking around the city. Hubway is a bike-sharing system that has more than 1,000 bikes available at any time to folks in Boston and the surrounding areas. Pricing, usage fees, and station maps are available at www.TheHubway.com.
Finally, there’s good reason that Boston is commonly referred to as “the walking city.” Boston is extremely pedestrian-friendly, and most of the major attractions are within decent walking distance of one another.

Major Highways and Roadways to Know

If you’re entering from the north or south, you’ll be coming in on I-93. If you’re entering from the west, you’ll be taking “The Pike,” otherwise known as I-90. Expect to pay a toll when entering the city from the Mass Pike. There are also tolls at the Ted Williams Tunnel (from the airport) and Tobin Bridge (from the North Shore).

Best Places to Park

WikiTravel strongly recommends $6 all day parking at the Riverside (Grove Street) stop off of I-95. From there, you can take the T wherever you need to go. BostonUSA.com has convenient parking maps outlining the parking areas around Boston, but it is nearly universally recommended that you stow your car somewhere safe and make do with “the walking city’s” superlative public transportation. Keep in mind that parking in Boston is going to cost you a pretty penny, so whatever you can do to avoid bringing your car into the city is recommended.

Airports and Car Rentals

If you’re flying in, you’ll be likely coming into Logan International. You can also land at the T.F. Green Airport in Providence, RI, and take the MBTA commuter rail into Boston, or the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in New Hampshire.

Attractions

When in Boston, be sure to visit:

  • Boston Children’s Museum
  • Museum of Fine Arts
  • Harvard Art Museum
  • MIT Museum
  • Fenway Park
  • Arnold Arboretum
  • Newbury Street
  • Freedom Trail
  • Boston Common and Public Garden
  • Copley Square
  • Sam Adams Brewery

Additional Sources

Have any tips of your own for getting around in Boston? Leave them in the comments below!