Overview
Boston's public transit system is operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), locally called "The T". It provides an integrated network of subway, bus, trolley, and ferry services across the city and surrounding region. As a visitor, you can use a single payment method to travel across modes: board a subway line downtown, transfer to a bus, and take a ferry to an outer neighborhood, all within one fare structure. The system is walkable—you can navigate most of downtown on foot—but the T makes it easy to explore further. Fares are paid via CharlieCard (a reusable smartcard), CharlieTicket (a paper card), mTicket (mobile app), or contactless payment; children 11 and under ride free.
The network
Subway
Boston's subway system comprises four color-coded lines serving the city and suburbs:
- Red Line: Runs from Alewife in Cambridge through downtown Boston to Braintree and Quincy in the south. Key stations include Harvard Square, MIT, Downtown Crossing, Park Street, and Adams National Historical Park.
- Orange Line: Runs from Forest Hills in Jamaica Plain northward through Back Bay and downtown to Oak Grove in Malden. Serves Assembly Row, TD Garden, Prudential Center, and Downtown Crossing.
- Green Line: The busiest and most historic line, running from Union Square (Medford-Tufts) through downtown to multiple branches serving Allston, Brighton, Brookline, and Newton. Serves Boston Common, Boston Public Library, Newbury Street, Fenway Park, and the Museum of Fine Arts.
- Blue Line: Serves Bowdoin and Wonderland (Revere), with a critical branch to Logan Airport in East Boston. Key stations include Government Center, State Street, Faneuil Hall, the New England Aquarium, and Airport Station.
- Mattapan Trolley: A historic streetcar service running from Ashmont Station to Mattapan.
Transfer points between lines are straightforward: the Red and Green lines intersect at Park Street, the Red and Orange lines at Downtown Crossing, the Orange and Green lines at North Station and Haymarket, and the Blue and Orange lines at State Street.
Commuter Rail
The MBTA operates commuter rail services extending far into the suburbs and neighboring regions. Key routes include the Newburyport/Rockport line (serving Salem, Beverly, Gloucester, and Rockport), the Providence/Stoughton line, the Framingham/Worcester line, and the Franklin/Foxboro line (which serves Gillette Stadium). Most routes depart from North Station or South Station; some also call at Back Bay Station. Fares are zone-based and range from $2.40 to $13.25 depending on your destination.
Silver Line (Bus Rapid Transit)
The Silver Line is a bus service connecting South Station to Logan Airport and the Seaport neighborhood. Notably, the Silver Line is free from airport terminals to South Station, making it the most economical way to reach downtown from the airport.
Buses
The MBTA operates 162 bus routes throughout Greater Boston. Local and express buses are well integrated with the subway system and serve as the primary public transport in neighborhoods not directly served by rail.
Ferries
The MBTA operates seasonal and year-round ferry services. Routes include the Charlestown Navy Yard ferry, the Hingham/Hull route, and seasonal services to East Boston (March–November), Lynn (April–November), Winthrop (May–November), and Quincy (May–November). Additional ferry operators run services to the Boston Harbor Islands, Salem (May–October), and Provincetown.
Tickets & fares
Fare types and payment methods
You can pay for a single journey or purchase passes covering multiple rides. Payment methods include the CharlieCard (a reusable smartcard, the preferred option), the CharlieTicket (a disposable card), mTicket (mobile app payment), contactless bank cards, or cash (on buses and trolleys only). You can purchase cards and passes at fare vending machines in subway stations, at the Charlie Service Center, at a network of retail outlets, or online.
Single fares
A one-way subway, local bus, express bus, or Silver Line fare costs approximately $2.40. Children 11 and under ride free. Passengers aged 65 and over, people with disabilities, middle and high school students, and low-income adults are eligible for reduced fares. Blind and low-vision passengers ride free. Commuter Rail fares depend on the zone of your destination and range from approximately $2.40 to $13.25.
Passes
Passes are available in 1-day, 7-day, and monthly increments. A 1-day pass covers unlimited travel on subway, local bus, express bus, and the Silver Line from the date and time of purchase (if using a CharlieCard) or from first use. A 7-day pass is valid for seven consecutive days from the date of first use. Monthly passes are purchasable from the 15th of the prior month through the 14th of the active month and remain valid for the entire calendar month. If you register for auto-pay (automatic monthly renewal), you must sign up by the 22nd of the prior month for the pass to activate on the 1st of the following month. Monthly passes covering Commuter Rail zones include unlimited transfers to other modes.
Transfers
With a CharlieCard or CharlieTicket, you can make up to two transfers on subway, local bus, express bus, and Silver Line services at the cost of the highest-priced service. Commuter Rail and ferry single-ride tickets generally do not include transfers; however, certain monthly passes do. Stored-value CharlieTickets and cash payments do not permit transfers. Contactless payment (tap-to-ride) is being introduced and will allow transfers.
Tourist passes
While no dedicated visitor pass is mentioned in current sources, the 7-day pass offers good value for visitors planning multiple journeys. A 1-day Zone 1A Commuter Rail pass costs approximately $11 and a weekend Commuter Rail pass approximately $10, useful if you plan day trips to the suburbs.
From the airport
Boston Logan International Airport is located in East Boston, approximately 3 miles from downtown. The airport has three main public-transport options:
- Silver Line (SL1) bus: The best option for most visitors. Board the Silver Line free at any terminal and travel directly to South Station in downtown Boston. The journey is quick and includes free transfers to other transit lines. Service stops around 12:30 AM; if you arrive later, you will need a taxi or ride-hailing service.
- Blue Line subway: Free MassPort shuttles (numbered #22 and #33) connect the airport terminals to Airport Station, where you can board the Blue Line. From there, transfer free to other subway lines or buses.
- Logan Express bus: A private coach service offering direct routes from the airport to Braintree, Framingham, Woburn, Peabody, Copley Square, and the Hynes Convention Center. Buses depart roughly every hour and take 30–45 minutes. Fares range from approximately $3 to $9 to the airport, with free return trips (as of January 2024).
Taxis are available but more expensive than in many other cities; fares typically range from $25 to $50 depending on your final destination. Ride-hailing services (Uber, Lyft) operate at the airport and may be more affordable than traditional cabs. Many hotels offer airport shuttle service—check with your accommodation when booking.
Etiquette & customs
Boston riders are generally polite but direct. Queue orderly when waiting for a train or bus. On escalators, stand on the right side to allow others to walk past on the left. Priority seating (marked seats near doors and accessible areas) is reserved for elderly passengers, people with disabilities, and pregnant passengers—offer your seat if it is occupied and you are able-bodied. Eating and drinking is permitted on the T but is not common; avoid strong-smelling food. During rush hours (roughly 7–9 AM and 4–7 PM on weekdays), trains and buses are crowded; expect to stand and allow others to board and exit without obstruction. The T operates 24/7 on the Red and Orange lines, but service on other lines is limited after midnight.
Official links
Download the official MBTA app or use the MBTA website for real-time service updates, journey planning, fare information, and interactive maps of all lines and stations.
Download the official MBTA app or visit the website before your trip to familiarize yourself with the color-coded lines and your frequent transfer points, which will help you navigate the system confidently on arrival.