Transportation in Boston
Underground
The "T" – the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) – operates the subway, trolleys, ferries and trains. There are four subway lines (blue, green, red, orange). The subway is the most efficient form of transportation, unless you get caught on the Green Line before or after a Red Sox game.
Coach
The MBTA runs 170 bus routes. They are not the speediest, especially when traffic is snarled, but they are cheaper, are better equipped to handle people with disabilities and get to more of the city's nooks and crannies than the subway.
Taxi
Taxis are plentiful and can be hailed on the street or reserved by telephone. If this is your chosen mode of transportation and you like to chat with the drivers, be aware that talk is not cheap. There is an additional tariff when coming from the airport.
Foot
Grab a map and start walking. It's the easiest way to get around the populated areas. Stroll the redbrick sidewalks of Beacon Hill or follow the historic trails. Amble around the Public Garden and Boston Common. Catch the breezes off the Charles River on the Esplanade.
Rent your car
The I-90 or I-93 Interstates radiate from the heart of Boston and the I-95 (Route 128) loops round it, but avoid them during peak times. On minor roads, a GPS is best for navigating Boston’s network of roads and bridges connecting downtown with Back Bay, Chelsea and Cambridge.
Transportation tips
LinkPasses for unlimited use of local MBTA services are available in one- and seven-day increments and can be purchased online, from kiosks at the airport, or at the stations. The same outlets sell single-ride and stored-value tickets. To keep your sanity, do not drive – Boston is difficult to navigate and parking is expensive.
