The Boston Metro, also known as the “T” or simply “The Subway”, opened in 1897, making it the first subway system in the United States. It consists of four lines – the Orange, Blue, Red and Green – and usually opens between 5am and 5.30am. The basic fare, or CharlieTicket, is $2.75. Subscription options are available for students and seniors, and children under 11 ride for free. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) runs the Boston subway. Interestingly, passengers are allowed to put their feet up on the seats when the train isn’t crowded. Breaking subway rules can result in a lifetime ban.
This transit system, often referred to as ‘The T’, carries approximately 1,100,000 passengers per day. Fare payment methods include traditional gates and a modern smartcard system. Please note that The T does not operate 24 hours a day. However, comfort is guaranteed with air conditioning available. Passengers cannot walk between platforms. The train system is not driverless and there are no screen doors on the platforms.
The transit system is managed by the MBTA and the standard fare is $1,100,000. For more information, visit the Boston Metro Official Website or you can reach them via phone at +1 617 222 3200.
Boston Subway Map
Map of Boston Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it.
The Subway in the United States: Boston’s System
One of the oldest cities in the United States, Boston is home to a metropolitan area of approximately 4.5 million people, making it one of the most populous urban areas in the country.
Located in Massachusetts, Boston is considered the financial, economic and cultural hub of the New England region in the northeastern U.S. The city has an extensive public transportation network designed to meet the daily travel needs of millions of commuters. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) operates this system.
Locals often refer to this system as the “T” because of its distinctive logo, which is easily recognised by visitors. The MBTA operates several modes of transportation, including buses, light rail and the subway system.
The Boston subway has the distinction of being the first underground system in the United States. It opened three years before the world-renowned New York subway and 34 years after London’s system. It opened in 1897 and has been designated a National Historic Landmark.
The need for an underground transport system arose because the city’s overcrowded trolley system was unable to cope with the growing population. Since 1900, the subway has undergone significant expansion. The MBTA has built additional subway tunnels and extended lines throughout the city centre, connecting communities with expanded subway, rail and bus lines. Plans are currently underway to modernise the system.
Lines and Stations
The Boston subway system consists of four lines, identified by the colours orange, blue, red and green.
Green Line
Opened in 1897, the Green Line was the first of its kind in the United States. It replaced the old streetcar system that had long served downtown Boston and now consists of a fleet of surface trains. It is the largest line in the T system, with 66 stations, 37km of track, and 230,000 daily riders. The Green Line connects the east side of the city with downtown, serving several neighbourhoods including Brighton, Newton, Mission Hill and Jamaica Plain.
Orange Line
Launched in 1901, the Orange Line has 19 stations and runs from Jamaica Plain to Forest Hills, covering a distance of 18km. It serves more than 200,000 riders daily and connects the North and Southeast sides of the city through downtown. All Orange Line stations have high-level platforms for accessibility, with lifts available for those with mobility issues.
Blue Line
In operation since 1904, the Blue Line has 12 stations along a 9.7 km route, with two additional stations under construction. It connects the East Boston neighbourhood to downtown and serves approximately 67,000 riders daily. Notably, this line provides a connection to Logan International Airport via Wonderland Station, with a shuttle bus service to the airport terminal.
Red Line
Inaugurated in 1912, the Red Line connects north Boston with the southern zone. The most extensive line in the system, it has 29 stations spread over 34km. The line serves the North Cambridge neighbourhood in the north of the city at the Alewife stop and splits at JFK/UMass station, with some trains heading to Braintree and others to the Dorchester neighbourhood.
Operating Hours
Each metro line has its own timetable, but most start between 5:00am and 5:30am from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, services usually start after 6:00am.
Red Line Hours
On the Red Line, the first train departs at 5:24am from Alewife Station, located in the northeastern part of the city in the town of Cambridge, towards the Braintree neighbourhood. From the same station, but bound for Ashmont Terminal in the historic Dorchester neighbourhood, the first train departs at 5:16 a.m. These schedules run Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, all Red Line trains depart at 6:00am.
Blue Line Hours
The first train on the Blue Line leaves Wonderland Station in the town of Revere at 5:13 a.m. for Bowdoin Station in downtown Boston. In the reverse direction, the first train departs at 5:29 a.m. These schedules are Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, the Wonderland-Bowdoin service departs at 5:58 a.m. and the Bowdoin-Wonderland service departs at 6:21 a.m.
Orange Line Hours
On the Orange Line, the first train leaves Oak Grove Station in Malden at 5:16 a.m. for Forest Hills Station in Jamaica Plain. The same schedule applies in the opposite direction Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, the first train departs at 6:00 a.m. in both directions.
Green Line Hours
The Green Line has varying service times. The first train for the “B” route, which runs from Boston College Station in Brighton to Park Street Station downtown, leaves at 5:01am. The last trains on this route leave at 12:10 and 12:45.
The ‘C’ line, which runs from Cleveland Circle station in Brighton to North Station in the city centre, departs at 5.01am and finishes at 12.10am.
The “D” route, which runs from Riverside Station in Newton to the Government Center terminal downtown, starts at 4:56 and ends at 12:05.
The Green Line “E” route, departing from Heath Street Station between Jamaica Plain and Mission Hill towards Lechmere Station in East Cambridge, starts at 5:38am and ends at 12:47am.
MBTA Subway Rates
The Boston subway system offers a variety of payment options to suit the needs of its customers. The basic ticket, which is paid for in cash, costs $2.75 and is known as the CharlieTicket. In addition, the MBTA offers its customers a card called the CharlieCard, which costs $2.25. This card also gives you access to the LinkPass plans, which are described below:
- Day LinkPass: This provides unlimited subway travel and unlimited use of local buses administered by the MBTA for 24 hours. It’s priced at $12 and is recommended for people who need to use public transportation throughout the day, from buses to trains.
- Weekly LinkPass: Like the previous one, it offers passengers unlimited travel on MBTA-operated local trains and buses for 7 full days from the time of the first trip. It’s priced at $21.25. It’s particularly useful for tourists staying between 7 and 15 days.
- Monthly LinkPass: For $84.50 a month, you can enjoy unlimited travel on the MBTA’s subway and bus routes for 30 days. This is ideal for those who spend a lot of time in the city and need to use public transportation all the time.
In addition to the previous plans, the MBTA offers special rates for students and senior citizens. In the case of students, a Student - CharlieCard is required. It’s a card for elementary through high school students that costs $1.10. It’s valid for 30 days and is worth $30. Seniors over 65 can count on the same benefit, with a rate of $1.10 per trip and $30 for the monthly plan; the same prices apply to people with special needs. Children under the age of 11 travel for free.
MBTA Subway regulations
Proper use of installations
- While the Boston subway system doesn’t prohibit eating in the cars, you may be warned if your food gives off a strong smell that disturbs other passengers.
- Conversations that are so loud as to interfere with the travel of other passengers may be sanctioned by the system authorities.
- Listening to loud music is not allowed in the trains and stations of the metro.
- When the car is empty, it is allowed to put your feet up on the seats; however, during rush hours, it is not allowed to use the seats improperly, as it may disturb other passengers and may lead to sanctions.
- In order to ensure a smooth and quick boarding of the train, it is recommended that the boarding passengers allow the departing passengers to leave the train before boarding.
Bicycle Transport
- Carry your bike on one side of your body and do not use it in the system’s installations.
- It is allowed to transport two bicycles per carriage. The owner of the bicycle must make sure that it doesn’t block the passage of other passengers in the corridor and the doors of the train.
- If the train is full, you will have to wait for another train with more space to take your bike.
- During special events, the carriage of bicycles on trains may be prohibited. It is advisable to be aware of any unusual activities organised by the T or the MBTA.
- Senior citizens and persons with special needs have priority over bicycles when using the trains.
- In the event that a person with special needs requires a bicycle to improve their situation on the train, they would be allowed to have it with them in the facilities at all times.
- Cyclists under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a legal representative in the metro facilities.
- Passengers who fail to comply with the above could be banned from using the MBTA for life.
Transport of Pets
- At off-peak times, you will be able to travel with your pet without inconvenience. At peak times, the number of pets on board may be restricted.
- Dogs must be kept on a lead and muzzled and must not occupy seats in the carriage. They must not disturb other passengers.
- During peak hours, smaller animals should be transported in appropriate cages so as not to disturb other passengers.
- The owner will be held responsible for any damage caused by the pet in the metro facilities and will have to pay a ticket for the damage.
Security
The Boston subway has its own security force called the MBTA Transit Police Department. Their job is to keep passengers safe and help them with any complaints they may have. They have the right to conduct investigations and make arrests in the event of unlawful acts within the transit system. They have a team specialised in cases of sexual harassment on trains, either physical or verbal, to which they pay particular attention. Their service is highly qualified to deal with any incident that could endanger the integrity of passengers.
Airport connection
The easiest and most convenient way to get to Logan International Airport is to take the Blue Line of the subway. You will need to take a train to Airport Station, where you will find buses marked with the name of Massport, the company that manages the airport’s logistics, when you leave the terminal. The journey takes between 10 and 15 minutes and is completely free.
On the other hand, if you want to go from the airport to the city centre by subway, you have to take one of the following bus lines: no. 22, 33 or 55 to the blue line of the metro. All vehicles are marked with the Massport company name, which is located to the south of the terminal, just outside the entrance.
It should also be mentioned that at the airport there is the Silver Line, which has nothing to do with the metro, but is a fast way to get to the city. It’s a system of articulated buses that run along the city’s rapid transit corridors and connect with the Red, Blue and Green lines of the Boston subway. If you board this system at the airport, the trip is free. Conversely, if you use this line to get to the airport, you will be charged $2.00 per trip.
Future Expansions
There are plans to extend the Blue Line to the Lynn neighbourhood in the north of the city and to create a southern connection with the Red Line on its western section. There are also plans to extend the Green Line north to the Somerville and Medford neighbourhoods, relocate the Lechmere station and connect the lines between these areas. This last project is estimated to cost three billion dollars and is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.
In addition to the Blue and Green Line extensions, there are proposals to create an urban ring in the city centre. This would connect bus routes, metro stations and train terminals, allowing quick transfers between systems.
Places of Interest
The first place to visit in Boston is the Waterfront, just outside the Aquarium station on the Blue Line. This dock offers stunning views of the harbour, city centre and skyscrapers. It’s a fantastic place to spend an afternoon admiring Boston’s architecture.
Just a short walk from the Waterfront, at the same Aquarium stop, is the New England Aquarium. This facility boasts exhibits of thousands of marine species, divided into sections such as Sharks and Rays, Turtles Uncovered and Penguin Power. It’s a must-see for locals and tourists alike, with its diverse range of specimens and interactive activities that allow visitors to interact with certain species under supervision.
Another must-see is the Museum of Fine Arts, accessible via the Green Line. As the second largest art exhibition in the United States, surpassed only by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, it is one of the most important museums in the country. Founded in 1876, it houses collections of Egyptian antiquities, French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, Chinese calligraphy and paintings, Japanese art and a section dedicated to the Austrian Rothschild family. It also houses a library with over 320,000 volumes.
