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BOSTON_GETTING_AROUND
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| Boston: Getting Around (and Round, and...) |
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Boston basically still uses old animal trails and 17th century roads, now paved and carefully laid out in a higgily piggily fashion. Scores of one-way streets change names, and even direction, with little or no warning. Signage is terrible. It’s as if the streets were arranged to confuse some kind of invisible enemy.
Roads that read North later indicate you’re traveling South, street names are more of a suggestion than a rule, really, and most locals cannot tell you how to get anywhere since that would include describing ancient landmarks and subtle changes in road surface.
The town’s drivers, perhaps driven insane by this, tend to be on the angry and aggressive side. So, please, have mercy on yourself and loved ones and just park the thing and walk or take the easier-than-you-think mass transit. Unless you have a motorcycle.
Arriving by Plane
Logan International Airport (800-23-LOGAN)
Boston Logan International Airport is located in East Boston a few miles from downtown. All major U.S. carriers serve Boston Logan, as well as most international carriers.
Massport shuttle buses provide connections to subway, water transit, and parking, for free. The MBTA Blue Line works, too, especially if you’re not carrying a lot of bags. For the bus to Airport station, look for the blue and white Massport shuttle bus with the electronic sign that reads, “Subway,” or “Route 22.” At press time, subway fare is $2, 30 cents less with the discount “Charliecard.” Exact change is not needed but a watch is. The last Blue Line train leaves Airport Station about 12:30 a.m.
The Train
Our lovable national railroad system, Amtrak, arrives at Boston’s South Station, on a fairly regular basis. From there, the Red and Silver MBTA subway lines branch out from there.
All trains to South Station also stop at Back Bay Station, which is much smaller, but more convenient to Back Bay, Beacon Hill and the South End. Boston's North and South stations, about a mile apart, are not connected. To get from one to the other, take the Red Line subway at South Station and switch to the Orange Line to North Station. You could always take a cab, but the subway (known as the “T”) is less painful on the pocket.
By Auto Machine
Got a map, bub? Boston is a the hub of New England and most major roads lead to it. However, we always prefer the blue highways (back roads), whenever possible. Just depends how much time you have.
Things will slow down, of course, as you approach the city, only getting worse when you actually get in the city. No worries, though, just park and walk or take the cheap and easy subway lines.
By Boat
The city runs ferries between Long Wharf and terminals in Hull, Quincy and Charlestown, as well as Rowe's Wharf and the Airport.
The Black Falcon Cruise Terminal (617-330-1500) is home to the cruise ship crowd. The Silver Line bus serves the port.
By Bus
Boston Deluxe, 917-662-7552. Connects Boston with NYC and Hartford, CT
Fung Wah Transportation, 617-338-8308. Connects Boston’s Chinatown with New York City’s Chinatown. What could be cooler than that for a wild night of noodles and dim sum.
Greyhound Bus Lines, 617-526-1800. Goes everywhere. Makes you feel like you’re in an Alfred Hitchcock movie.
Peter Pan Bus Lines, 800-343-9999. Serves many cities. |
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BOSTON_ROADTRIPS
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Click on a trip below to adopt the trip. You can change the dates, add your preferences, or even rearrange the items in the Trip Plan, then plot the trip and save it as your own.
Road trips around Boston
BOSTON - FAMILY
Museums, trails, tea parties; Discover Boston as a family.
For details see article on: 
BOSTON - ART/CULTURE
You’ll have a whole new appreciation for the art/culture that Boston displays!
BOSTON - HISTORICAL
From New England’s ghost tour to historical monuments - take this trip into the past!
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