Boston Transportation

Getting to Boston and getting around Boston are both critical parts of any visit to the city. There are plenty of options to get there and navigate the area. You can come by car, bus, train or plane and drive, walk, take a taxi, or use the comprehensive public transportation.

Getting to Boston

Getting to Boston is easy, and you have a variety of options to choose from. People travel to the city by car, air, bus, and train. You can travel by expressway from anywhere in the continental United States if you prefer to have your own car to get around Boston once you arrive. Depending on where you live, it's easy to combine a road trip to Boston with stops at other tourist destinations along your route.

Otherwise, if you're looking for a budgetary way to get to the city but don't want to put the mileage on your car, Greyhound offers bus service to Boston from many major cities in the United States. Amtrak also has several routes that will take you to Boston by rail. If you choose one of these options, you can either rent a vehicle when you arrive in Boston or rely on walking, cabs, and the city's comprehensive public transportation system.

Logan International Airport is centrally located within the city if you prefer to fly. Flying is a popular way of getting to Boston from within the United States and international locations, since airlines from around the world service the Logan airport. You can rent a vehicle once you arrive at the airport or take a shuttle, taxi, or boat into the city.

Getting Around Boston

There are many options for getting around Boston once you settle into your hotel, although some are less expensive and more convenient than others. For example, driving your own vehicle or using a rental car is can convenient because you can travel where you want to go whenever you want to do it. However, you must deal with traffic and will likely have to pay for parking at the major tourist sites and shopping districts. If you drive, be prepared to feed a parking meter or pay to park in a commercial lot or parking garage.

Taxis are a convenient alternative. Like a car, you can use them whenever you wish, and they take you right to your destination. However, the fares quickly add up so you'll spend a lot of money if you depend on cabs as your main transportation method.

Boston has an excellent public transportation system that includes buses and trains going through all the city's neighborhoods on convenient schedules, as well as a subway. You can rely on this system as your main way of getting around Boston if you don't have access to a vehicle. If you have a personal or rental car, you can drive it and park it at the train stations and head to your final destination by rail if you're going somewhere where parking is a challenge, like Fenway Park on the day of a game.

You can walk to many destinations if you choose a hotel in a central part of Boston. For example, if your main agenda includes visiting historic sights, book a property near the Freedom Trail and explore it on foot. Most popular Boston neighborhoods have plenty of dining and shopping so you won't have to look too far to pick up some souvenirs or have a good meal. Some upper-end hotels even loan out bicycles to their guests to get around the city.

You may spot a bicycle cab, called a pedi-cab, on one of your walks. These vehicles are for hire, and although there are no established fares, it's customary to tip your driver an appropriate amount based on the length of your trip. Pedi-cabs can be used to get to a specific place, although obviously their range is limited since they are human powered, or simply for leisurely sightseeing.

Book a Boston Hotel today!