We may earn a commission from links on this page, at no cost to you. Disclosure
The quickest way to get to Salem from Boston is the MBTA Commuter Rail: trains on the Newburyport/Rockport Line leave North Station, take about 30 minutes, and cost $8 one way, or $10 for unlimited weekend travel. From late May to October 31 a ferry also runs from Long Wharf to Salem in 50 to 60 minutes, the MBTA 450 bus is the cheapest and slowest option, and driving takes about half an hour without traffic but runs into Salem's scarce parking, especially in October.
For most visitors the train is the answer. The ferry is the choice if you want the harbor ride to be part of the day, and the car only makes sense outside October or if Salem is one stop on a longer North Shore trip. Guided Salem day trips from Boston are also bookable on Viator.
Boston to Salem compared
| Option | Leaves from | Time | Fare | When it runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commuter Rail | North Station | About 30 minutes | $8 one way; $10 weekend pass | Year-round, with extra weekend trains in October |
| Ferry | Long Wharf, downtown | 50 to 60 minutes | Higher than the train; see the operator | Late May to October 31 |
| MBTA bus 450 | Haymarket station | Longer than the train; traffic-dependent | $1.70 | Year-round |
| Car | Anywhere | About 30 minutes without traffic, 16 miles | Gas and Salem parking | Year-round |
How do you take the train from Boston to Salem?
Go to North Station, which sits under TD Garden and is served by the Orange and Green lines, and board any Newburyport/Rockport Line train; both branches stop at Salem. The MBTA puts the ride at about 30 minutes and the standard one-way fare at $8, or $4 for reduced-fare riders. Buy the ticket on the mTicket app or at a fare machine before you board, because a CharlieCard does not work on the Commuter Rail and neither does tapping a bank card.
On Saturdays, Sundays and select holidays the $10 weekend pass covers unlimited Commuter Rail trips on every line, so a round trip to Salem costs less than two single tickets. Children 11 and under ride the MBTA free. In October the MBTA adds weekend trains for Salem's Haunted Happenings festival, which it says draws nearly half a million people over the month.
Is there a ferry from Boston to Salem?
Yes, but only in season. The Salem Ferry, operated by Boston Harbor City Cruises, runs from late May to October 31, according to the City of Salem. It leaves from Long Wharf in downtown Boston, next to Boston Marriott Long Wharf and a short walk from Aquarium station on the Blue Line, and lands at the Salem Wharf terminal on Blaney Street. Destination Salem puts the crossing at 50 to 60 minutes and says the terminal is within walking distance of downtown, including the House of the Seven Gables.
Reservations are not required, but booking ahead is recommended on October weekends. Both docks have ramps for wheelchairs and strollers. The fare is higher than the train's; check the operator's site for the current price. Our Boston to Salem ferry guide covers the boat in more detail.
Can you take a bus from Boston to Salem?
Yes. MBTA route 450 runs between Salem Depot and Haymarket station or Wonderland, and the standard bus fare is $1.70, the lowest of any option. It is also the slowest, since it travels local roads through the North Shore suburbs. In October the 450 runs express on Fridays and weekends from Essex Street to Salem Depot because of downtown traffic, and on Halloween night the Salem Depot busway closes at 6 p.m.
Should you drive to Salem?
Salem is about 16 miles from downtown Boston, roughly half an hour by car without traffic. Outside October that is a reasonable choice. In October the MBTA warns that parking in Salem is limited, and on October 31 the Salem station garage is closed to traffic from 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. If you drive in the fall, consider parking at a station farther out and taking the train in.
Which way should you choose?
- Day trip, any season: the train. It is quick and cheap, and it avoids Salem's parking problem.
- Summer or early fall, with time to spare: the ferry out and the train back, for a harbor view without paying twice for the boat.
- October: the train, booked around the extra weekend service, or the ferry booked ahead. Avoid driving on weekends.
Once you have the transport sorted, plan the visit with things to do in Salem, our Boston to Salem day-trip guide and other things to do north of Boston.
Sources: MBTA: Salem; MBTA route 450; MBTA fares; City of Salem: ferry service; Destination Salem: Salem Ferry; Salem Ferry schedules and fares. Checked October 1, 2026.