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Most visitors reach Boston by flying into Logan International Airport, which sits in East Boston a few miles from downtown, or by taking Amtrak to South Station or Back Bay Station. From Logan, the Silver Line SL1 bus runs from the curb at every terminal to South Station and is free from the airport, and the Blue Line, reached by a free airport shuttle, is the rail link into downtown. If you would rather be met and driven, private transfers from Logan can be booked in advance on Viator.
Intercity buses arrive at South Station, and drivers come in on I-90 or I-93, but driving means traffic, tolls, tunnels and paid parking. Here is how each option works and where it leaves you.
Which way is best to get to Boston?
| Coming from | Best option | Arrives at |
|---|---|---|
| Overseas, or most US cities | Fly to Boston Logan | East Boston, then SL1, Blue Line, Logan Express or ferry |
| New York, Philadelphia, Washington | Amtrak Acela or Northeast Regional | Back Bay Station or South Station |
| Maine and New Hampshire | Amtrak Downeaster | North Station, beneath TD Garden |
| The Northeast on a budget | Intercity bus | South Station Bus Terminal |
| Anywhere, with a car you need later | I-90 or I-93 | Your hotel garage |
Flying into Boston Logan
Logan is New England's largest airport and the region's main international gateway, and it sits inside the city itself, across the harbor in East Boston. That keeps the ride into downtown short, and there are five ways to make it.
How to get from Logan Airport to downtown Boston
- Silver Line SL1 bus. Buses stop at the curb at Terminals A, B, C and E and run to South Station, where you can switch to the Red Line, Commuter Rail or Amtrak. Massport states the trip from the airport to downtown is free.
- Blue Line subway. Massport's free on-airport shuttle buses connect the terminals with Airport station. The Blue Line reaches State, for the Orange Line, and Government Center, for the Green Line. The fare is $2.40.
- Logan Express to Back Bay. Buses run every 30 minutes, from Logan 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The ride from Logan is free and the ride to the airport is $3. Stops are at 800 Boylston Street by the Prudential Center and on Dartmouth Street near Copley Place, across from Back Bay Station, which suits Back Bay hotels.
- Ferry. Water transportation runs year-round from the airport's water transportation dock to Long Wharf on the downtown waterfront. Free shuttle route 66 takes you to the dock.
- Taxi or ride app. The most direct option with luggage, though it is subject to tunnel traffic. Our guide to Boston taxi costs covers what to expect.
Arriving from Rhode Island? See how to get from Providence to Logan. If you have time to kill before a flight, here are things to do near Boston airport.
Taking the train to Boston
Amtrak serves three stations in the city. Acela and Northeast Regional trains from Washington, Philadelphia and New York stop at Back Bay Station, near the Prudential Center and Newbury Street, and end at South Station, near Chinatown, the Theatre District and the Financial District. The Lake Shore Limited comes in from the west by way of Albany. The Downeaster from Maine and New Hampshire uses North Station, beneath TD Garden.
Travel times vary by train, so check Amtrak's timetable for your date. For trips from elsewhere in Massachusetts, MBTA Commuter Rail fares run $2.40 to $13.25 one way, depending on the zone. South Station is also the hub for the Red Line and the Silver Line; here is what to do near South Station.
Taking the bus to Boston
Most intercity and interstate buses arrive at the South Station Bus Terminal, built above the train station. It connects you to the Red Line, Commuter Rail, Amtrak, taxis and nearby hotels, and the ticket counters are on the third level.
Driving to Boston
From the west, take the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) east into downtown. From the north, take I-93 South; from Maine, follow I-95 South to I-93 South. From the south, take I-95 North to I-93 North.
The catch is what happens after you arrive. Expect weekday commute traffic, tolls and tunnels, and plan on a hotel or public garage. Garage, lot and meter prices vary by neighborhood, time of day and event schedule, and parking reservation apps let you compare and book ahead. Many visitors leave the car parked for the whole stay and walk or take the T.
Getting around once you are here
Downtown Boston is compact and walkable: the Freedom Trail links 16 historic sites over 2.5 miles. The subway, known as the T, covers the central neighborhoods on the Red, Orange, Blue and Green Lines, and buses fill in much of the rest of the city. A one-way subway ride is $2.40 and a local bus is $1.70, paid with a CharlieCard or contactless payment. On the T, inbound means toward downtown and outbound means away from it.
Coming from overseas? Check what time it is in Boston before you plan your first day, and see the best time to visit Boston.