Boston-Ma Public-Transport

Boston-Ma Public-Transport information

Metro/Subway

There are four colour coded subway lines in Boston, oriented around Park Street and Downtown Crossing Stations in the city centre. First established in 1897 this is the oldest underground rail system in the USA. The subway plan is extremely easy to follow with trains every few minutes and maps available at all stations. Fares are cheap with a single costing USD1.25. Alternatively you can buy a tourist "passport" for USD7.50 which is valid on all MBTA transport for a day (USD18 for three days and USD35 for seven days). Note that to transfer to the "Silver" line Bus Rapid Transit System (a special fast bus service only as yet partially opened, which will intersect with the "T") you can obtain a free transfer ticket from the machine in the booking hall where you purchase your ticket. If you need to transfer to the subway from the silver line you can get a transfer ticket from the driver.

Buses

Boston has an extensive bus network that comprehensively covers the entire city. If you choose to catch the bus you'll have little problem navigating with the easy to follow maps available at train stations and often provided by hotels. However, buses can be slow, particularly with the amount of construction ongoing in Boston at the moment, as jams and diversions on the roads are common. Fares are cheap at 75 cents for a single journey in the urban area. The visitor's passport is valid for transport on the bus. If you need to transfer between buses to complete your journey then ask the driver for a free transfer ticket. This is valid for two hours from when you purchase your bus ticket.

Train

Commuter trains travel approximately an hour in every direction from Boston - north to the beachfront towns of Newburyport and Rockport, south to historic Plymouth, west to the city of Worcester and many towns in between. These trains are distinguished from Amtrak, the long distance train which travels to many cities throughout New England and across the US. Amtrak, MBTA commuter trains and Greyhound buses (Tel: +1 (1)617-526-1800) depart from South Station (700 Atlantic Ave). Commuter trains also serve suburban communities from North Station (135 Causeway St, Tel: +1 (1)617-222-5000, about a mile from South Station).

Ferry

MBTA commuter ferries mostly serve the South Shore of Boston and depart from Rowes Wharf, behind the Boston Harbor Hotel. They offer a particularly scenic way to avoid Boston traffic.

Driving

There are good reasons why Boston is called "America's Walking City" and its compact size is just part of the story. Boston's often narrow streets twist and wind, with no particular pattern. Street parking is limited and parking lots are expensive. Boston is the site of the largest road construction project in the country's history, the "Big Dig", which may eventually help ease some of the traffic congestion but right now mostly adds to it. In short, a car is not an asset in this city. Should you choose to rent a car to visit the beaches, mountains, historic towns, or nature reserves which fill the surrounding area, all major car rental companies serve Boston from airport, city, and suburban locations. Freeways, though, can be a daunting experience at any time. Traffic moves fast and close together in one of the most congested multiple lane highways in the world. Keep calm and keep up and you should be OK. A valid national driver's licence is all that is needed to drive in the USA but you should ensure you carry this and your passport/ID with you at all times you are driving a car. It is compulsory to wear a seatbelt at all times. Driving is on the right hand side. All road signs and speed restrictions are posted in miles. The speed limit is 55-65mph (88-104km per hour) on highways, 35-40mph (56km per hour-64km per hour) in built up areas, and 15-25mph (24-40km per hour) in residential areas. Parking is expensive and hard to find in the city centre and local restrictions in suburban areas (such as permit parking) often apply. Note that parking is restricted on streets during street cleaning. Check street signs for details of when this occurs in each area.

Rent a Car

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