Boston

By bike

Many Boston residents use bicycling as their primary mode of transit all year round, and Boston's small size and relative flatness make biking an appealing way to get around. Boston lacks many amenities for bicyclists, however, as the roads are covered with potholes and frequently absent of designated bicycle lanes or bicycle racks, so visitors wishing to travel by bicycle should have excellent urban riding skills prior to renting a bicycle. Cambridge tends to have more bicycle lanes and racks, though many streets still lack them. Riding on the sidewalk is illegal in the city of Cambridge, and frowned upon in Boston, and being well-lit in the evenings is important both for following regulations and for being safe. Recent efforts by Mayor Thomas Menino promise increased city investment in bicycling as a viable mode of transportation, and the mayor himself has taken up biking around town.

A central transit for bikers in Boston is the Southwest Corridor Bike Path, a major park/bike way placed along a route once slated for a major freeway system. This runs parallel to the T's Orange Line and connects Forest Hills to the Back Bay. This is an excellent means of transit if you intend on staying in Jamaica Plain.

On July 28, 2011, Boston launched New Balance Hubway a bike sharing system with 61 stations and 600 bicycles. The cost is $5/day, $12/3 day pass, and $85 for a yearly membership.

Urban AdvenTours

Offers guided bicycle tours for various skill levels. Also provides bike rentals and bike deliveries.

Navigating the streets of Boston is difficult if you are not familiar with the area. While other American cities have their streets laid out in a grid New York, Chicago, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Phoenix, or along a river, lake, or other geographical feature New Orleans, Cleveland, the modern streets of Boston are a twisty and seemingly incomprehensible maze. Boston in the 1600s was a narrow peninsula surrounded by farmland and distant settlements. Landfill, urban expansion, waves of radical economic change, and new technologies have seen sensible street patterns added on to and collide in less sensible ways. Due to dense development, the older street patterns have largely remained in place without being adapted to their modern surroundings. In this way, Boston is more similar to old European cities than most typical large American cities that were geometrically planned, expanded into unsettled land, or were mainly settled in the late 20th century.

Commuter Rail

Commuter rail (http://www.mbta.com/sched...) in Boston is primarily used for traveling to towns outside of the city. Due to its limited frequency compared to the subway, it is not generally recommended for travel within the city itself. An exception is travel between Back Bay Station and South Station, which is served by 5 commuter rail branches on weekdays and is free one way. Commuter rail fares range from $1.70 to $7.75 one way, although any ticket to or from the city is at least $4.25. Tickets can be bought on board trains, but at a slight surcharge. Passengers can ride for free from Back Bay to South Station, but must buy a ticket for $1.70 to travel from South Station to Back Bay.

Trains heading north of the city leave from North Station, while those heading south or west leave from South Station. Both stations have connections to the subway: North Station is on the Green and Orange Lines, and South Station is on the Red and Silver Lines. The two stations are not directly connected: you cannot board a train north of the city and take it to a point south of the city. Such a journey will require a subway ride in-between train trips to make the connection.

Subway (Or "The T")

The subway is composed of four color-coded rail lines, the Red Line, Orange Line, Green Line, and Blue Line. Short of particular non-touristy spots in the suburbs, the subway can get you anywhere.

The Green Line splits into four branches going west that are known as the B, C, D and E lines from north to south. Going west on the Green Line, the E line branches off at Copley Square station, the other three split at Kenmore Square station. Just after the lines split, these lines all run above ground and become "streetcar" lines.

The B branch is a service to Boston College via Commonwealth Avenue locally referred to and sometimes marked as Comm Ave. It services Boston College and Boston University, along with the neighborhood of Brighton. Many of the stops are dangerously close to the road; some are just painted yellow lines in the middle of Comm Ave and the right of way. Its long distance and frequent grade crossings cause dispatchers to express trains frequently. Make sure to press the stop tape to request your stops, as many drivers wont stop unless they are requested past Boston University or even past Kenmore.

The C branch is a service to Cleavland Circle via Beacon Street. This line is primarily in Brookline, MA. Its right of way is mainly surrounded by local businesses and residential structures.

The D branch is a service to Riverside Station, an inter-model station in Newton, MA, via the Highland Branch. A former street care right of way from the 1800s. The right of way is completely grade separated does not intersect or run along streets making transportation faster, with stops being further apart.

The E branch is a service to VA Medical Center and Heath Street, via Huntington Avenue. This line services The Prudential Center, and Bostons Symphony Hall. Along with many universities along the right of way, including the world famous Longwood Medical Area, which is a commercial and education complex offering some of the most advanced health care in the world, along with research centers. Also the Museum of Fine Arts Boston is accessible via the Museum of Fine Arts stop, sometimes announced as MFA or Museum on the trolley.

The letters are not assigned to coincide with any particular reference to the route of the branch. It is labeled A-E A disbanded, now the 57 bus from north to south. Cleveland Circle C, Reservoir D, and Chestnut Hill Ave B stops are all in walking distance and provide a convenient spot to switch between the lines; however a second fare is required.

The Red Line splits in two directions going south that are known as the Braintree and Ashmont branches, the latter of which connects to a streetcar line to Mattapan. Going south, the Red Line splits at JFK/UMass station.

The Orange Line, the eldest of the rapid transit lines in Boston, is service from Malden, MA to Jamaica Plain. It services the City of Malden, Charlestown, Bunker Hill Community College, North Station, the Haymarket area, the Financial District, Downtown Crossing, New England Medical Center, Roxbury, and Jamaica Plain.

The Blue Line, named as such because it crosses under the Boston Harbor and goes to Revere Beach, is a fromer street car line converted to rapid transit. It services East Boston, the Airport, and Revere.

When Bostonians say that they use the T, they're almost always referring to the subway, though the other modes of mass transit bus, commuter rail, etc. are still technically part of the T. While the MBTA refers to the Silver Line as a rapid transit line BRT or Bus Rapid Transit route it appears on subway maps, most Bostonians consider it part of the bus system.

The subway system is slightly confusing in that directions are often marked "inbound" and "outbound", rather than with a destination. "Inbound" means "into the center of Boston", where all four lines converge at four stops: State Blue and Orange, Park Street Red and Green, Government Center Blue and Green, and Downtown Crossing Orange and Red. "Outbound" means "away from the center of Boston". Once one is in the center, signs generally give the direction "eastbound" or the last stop on the line in that direction "Alewife". All trains are signed with the last stop in the direction they are headed, and this is the best way to know if you are going in the right direction.

Note that most Green Line trains do not go all the way to the end of the line at Lechmere; most turn around either at North Station or Government Center. If you are traveling farther than Government Center, your best bet is to get on the first train that comes, and then wait at the stop where you are forced to leave the train for the next Lechmere or North Station train. Depending where you are, Lechmere trains might not stop there. Only trains coming from the E Branch will proceed to Lechmere, unless otherwise noted.

Subway and light rail service generally does not run between 1 AM and 5AM. The same goes for the commuter rail lines - usually midnight or before. Each line Green, Blue, etc. has a "last train" time, starting at one end of the line and going to the other. Check the schedule in advance if you are going to be out late. Sometimes the last train is delayed due to passenger load or the need to wait for the last connection from another line, so you might get lucky if you are running late. Check with a T employee near the fare gates to see if you've missed the last train or not. A general rule of thumb is to be in the station by midnight to safely catch the last train. A consequence of this is that taxis can be extremely difficult to hail after 2AM when most of the bars close, especially in touristy areas such as Fanueil.

Unlimited-ride subway and bus passes are available from the T. If you're going to be riding a lot around town, these are worth investigating. See the link (http://www.mbta.com/fares...) for complete fare information on passes. Buy a CharlieCard 1 day pass for $9 or a 7 day unlimited pass for $15. The 7-Day LinkPass is valid for 7 days from the date and time of purchase. The LinkPass gives you unlimited travel on Subway, Local Bus, Inner Harbor Ferry, and Commuter Rail Zone 1A. Note that Commuter Rail and boats do not accept CharlieCards, so you must use a CharlieTicket for these services.

The cost of a one-way ride on the MBTA Subway is $2.00 plus FREE subway and local bus transfers if done on a CharlieCard, or $2.50 if done on a Charlie Ticket or paying by cash. This will get you to most destinations. Parking at the Alewife station on the Red line is ample but will cost you $7 no matter when you come and go for each 24 hour period. Riverside Station just off I-95 has plentiful parking for $5.75 all day. Additional suburban parking is available in Quincy, Braintree, and many Commuter Rail stops.

Public Transit

Public transit in Boston is convenient and relatively inexpensive, and can take you directly to almost everything. A single public transit agency serves the Boston Metro area, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority "MBTA", or "the T" for short. The MBTA is the fourth-largest transit system in the U.S. For complete schedules, maps, and other information, see their official website at (http://www.mbta.com).

It is important to note that "Inbound" means toward Park Street or State and "Outbound" means away from Park Street or State.

After decades of using tokens for fare payment, the entire MBTA system was converted in 2007 to an electronic CharlieCard and CharlieTicket system. Dispensing machines at all stations accept cash, credit cards, and debit cards. If you go straight to a dispensing machine, you'll get a paper CharlieTicket with magnetic stripe. If you have time, first ask an attendant at any underground station for a plastic CharlieCard, which is a contactless "smart card". The Card is free and will give you a discount on all subway and bus fares, and it's the only way to get free transfers to and from buses. If you think you'll be boarding the T many times you may wish to purchase a day or week LinkPass Sold at standard machines for $11.00 and $18.00, respectively. Note that these do not allow rapid repeated use at the same station, for a group, for instance. In general, a CharlieCard should be considered a must for its convenience you can leave it in your wallet, decreased fares, and free or discounted transfers. Most passes can be loaded onto a CharlieCard. (http://www.mbta.com/fares...)

Bicycles are sometimes welcome on the MBTA. Bikes are allowed on the Blue, Red, and Orange subway lines except at peak hours, but are not allowed on the Green and Silver lines. Bikes are always allowed on MBTA buses that are equipped with bike racks. The MBTA is currently installing bike racks on many bus routes - check the MBTA website for the latest updates. Bikes are allowed on MBTA boats and ferries at any time. On commuter rail trains, they are allowed anytime except weekday rush hours, as noted on individual train line schedules.

The T consists of several components: subway, bus, water shuttles, and commuter rail.

Full-color system maps are available at major stations; you may need to ask an agent if you would like one. They are extremely useful for locals and travelers getting a bit off the beaten track, because they show all bus, rapid transit, commuter rail, and boat lines. Most of the T maps you will see only show the rapid transit lines, which are identified by color. If you have a color printer, you can even make one yourself by printing the PDF version online. Front (http://mbta.com/uploadedFiles/Schedules_and_Maps/System_Map/MBTA-system_map-front.pdf, back (http://mbta.com/uploadedF...)

Driving

Driving is to be avoided if possible, due to traffic congestion, poor parking options, high driving-associated costs, the complexity of navigation, notoriously aggressive drivers, and difficult-to-follow city rules and signage.

As an alternative in fair weather, walking is usually preferable in terms of ease, cost, and comfort. Boston is known as an excellent walking city, since it is clean, historic, and generally-safe. It also has excellent public transportation (http://www.mbta.com/) available in the metropolitan area and suburbs, to complement foot travel. Most tourist attractions are readily accessible by foot from the "subway" the inter-connected, color-coded subway/trolley and hybrid-electric bus lines of the MBTA. Transfers between lines at connecting stations within the "subway" system are free.

Signage is generally poor, and the names of major streets are usually unmarked when crossing minor streets. There are many one-way streets, which may be difficult to identify when turning. Street names are duplicated in different neighborhoods due to municipal consolidations in the 1800s and early 1900s. Even Bostonians who lived there all their life can easily get lost. Navigating from "square" to "square" major intersections but rarely actually square or really any consistent shape is one navigational technique. Some parts of the city are difficult to reach from other nearby parts, prompting the local expression, "Ya cain't get theyah from hee-ah!" "You can't get there from here!"

Avoid driving at morning or evening rush hour; highways and streets can become quite congested. Peak times vary, depending on relative distance from downtown. Public transit also becomes very crowded during rush hour, and just before and after major sporting events and public celebrations. Baseball games, other major sporting events, and graduations may also cause significant driving congestion.

If you do choose to drive, be prepared to avoid double-parked vehicles or poorly parked vehicles blocking lanes, and be wary of lanes which may suddenly become parking lanes or shift or disappear entirely as you cross intersections. "Left lane must turn" and other traffic directions are often written only on the road itself and therefore may be routinely blocked from sight by other vehicles in heavy traffic, thus last-second lane changes are unavoidable without foreknowledge of the roads. Such changes may be the cause of anger or disputes, so it may be good to wave or request a lane change politely.

When changing lanes, be wary of pedestrians and cyclists, as well as other drivers, since they may cross, split lanes, or even run lights unexpectedly. Massachusetts law requires vehicles to yield to pedestrians, whether or not they're crossing legally. Bicycles are treated as vehicles, and may occupy an entire lane if there is no bike lane. As in any city, be prepared to stop when following a taxi driver, and look for pedestrians to anticipate taxi behavior: taxis will not only stop at fares but also stop at nothing to get to them first. When stopping yourself, use your hazards to clearly indicate that you are stopping as a courtesy to other drivers, many of whom are young students and may be inexperienced with city driving themselves. In terms of the law: if you encounter a rotary, remember that Massachusetts state law gives the right of way to traffic in a rotary, also known as a roundabout in other parts in the world.

Do not pass stopped trolleys on the right; do not try to squeeze past a bus without changing lanes entirely to avoid sharing their lane you should not pass any vehicle while sharing a lane and buses have large blind spots; and be wary that the law may require you to come to a complete stop and wait for the pedestrian to finish crossing entirely. Be careful also not to pass a yellow school bus with red flashing lights as passing before or after may still draw you a citation this rule may be ignored, even by police, if due caution is observed by the driver, but those who ignore it may still draw a serious citation. Finally, since you may cross train tracks in Boston, be aware that they may be particularly slippery and icy, possibly dragging you off course as you cross them if you do not grip the steering wheel firmly.

The only toll road in the area is the Massachusetts Turnpike Interstate I-90, with various prices depending on entrance and exit points. Other tolls include the Ted Williams and Sumner Tunnels, each of which charges $3.50 when coming back from Logan Airport into downtown. The Tobin Bridge on Route 1 headed southbound toward downtown charges $3. Have cash on hand for these roads as checks and credit card are not accepted there. FastLane and E-Z Pass are also accepted.

By taxi

Your current alternative to late-night public transit is a taxi. Taxis can be hailed at any significant street corner, such as Kenmore Square or Copley Square. Expect to spend at least $5 and possibly up to $30 in the immediate surroundings this includes the initial fare, a small tip for the driver, small one-way streets, bad traffic, construction, tolls for bridges, tolls for tunnels, tolls for the Mass Pike, and any wait time. To get further out of Boston, expect to spend much more for example, from the airport to Wellesley, a Boston suburb, would be around $80, which includes the actual driving and tolls along the way. Fun fact, as of summer 2009, Boston has the most expensive taxis of any major American city.

On foot

Boston's downtown core is compact and easily walkable. Most tourist attractions can be visited on foot, although some neighborhoods require rail and/or bus connections. Take note that while jaywalking is technically illegal, the fine is $1 and tickets haven't been issued for decades. However, if you cross against signals just remember to watch out for stray bikes, cars, and some unusual traffic patterns you won't be used to.

The climate is cold from December to April, and the city is the most windy in America. Snow can also be an obstacle.

If it's late at night, or you feel you cannot deal with the cost of a taxi or the wait involved with the MBTA, then Boston is a relatively small, relatively safe city and walking is an option. Just remember to use the same sense you would in any other city.

By bus

Regular bus service the vast majority of buses is usually slower than rapid transit, but is also cheaper and may take you closer to your final destination. Express buses are faster, more expensive, and travel longer distances. CharlieCard users get free transfers and pay $1.50 for regular bus, $3.50 for Inner Express, and $5 for Outer Express check the schedule to know which line is which. Charlie Ticket or cash customers pay $2.00 for regular bus, $4.50 for Inner Express, and $6.50 for Outer Express, with no free transfers.

Note that the Silver Line bus rapid transit line is split into discontinuous segments. Routes SL1 and SL2, departing from South Station, are considered part of the subway system though their vehicles are dual-mode electric/diesel buses and have free underground transfers to the Red Line. Routes SL4 and SL5 are considered part of the bus system, and have the lower local bus fare fare. Although Route SL4 also stops at South Station, it stops outside the station complex, and transfers between SL4 and the other Silver Line routes or the Red Line are only free with a CharlieCard.

Parking

Parking can be expensive, up to $40/day downtown on a weekday, though $20 and $7 deals can be found if you are willing to walk. Most cheap or free street parking is permitted as resident only and requires a special sticker, or is metered and has a 2-hour time limit.

Parallel parking is a necessary skill for street parking. Believe it or not, you can park in a space that is only a few inches larger than your car, if you don't mind scrapes on your bumpers and take advantages of the bounciness of cars' suspensions.

Garages are located at Quincy Market, the Aquarium, the new State Street Financial Center, the Theater District and the Boston Common. There are three levels of parking under the Common. The garage is very clean and its central location makes it a good starting point for a day trip in the city. To get in and out of the garage, there are four pavilions on the Common; each has stairs and an elevator. Once out of the garage, the Park Street and Boylston Street subway stops are only a two or three minute walk away.

As a rule, if you think you may be illegally parked, you probably are. Read the street signs very carefully. Watch for street cleaning, resident-only parking zones, and commercial parking zones - all of which will vary depending on the day and time. Parking meters are enforced heavily throughout the city. Meters in different parts of the city will turn off at different times ie. 8PM downtown or 6PM in many other neighborhoods. A broken meter entitles you to the posted time limit without having to pay.

Water Shuttle

The MBTA runs a number of water shuttles (http://www.mbta.com/sched...), but the most useful for tourists is the shuttle from Long Wharf to Navy Yard (http://www.mbta.com/sched...), which costs $1.70. This provides a convenient connection between the USS Constitution Museum and the area around Faneuil Hall and the New England Aquarium. There's also a shuttle from Long Wharf to Logan Airport, but it runs relatively infrequently, so the Blue Line is your best bet for getting between these two destinations.

There are also non-MBTA public ferries available from several ports, notably the Aquarium and Long Wharf, and a water taxi service on the waterfront.