I need some travel advice for BOSTON from anybody who lives there!
By mommyboo
@mommyboo (13174)
United States
December 3, 2012 10:16pm CST
Next April I am flying to Boston, MA for the Boston Marathon. I need some advice and tips from any locals or people who are familiar with the city or the T and related public transportation system.
I live in southern California which is a very car-centric state and area, so I have never relied on public transportation.
My friend and I have reservations at the airport hotel, it's actually linked to the airport itself, so once we arrive, it will be literally 'next door' to our terminal and very easy to get to. That's where the easy part ends, since we will have to get from the airport/hotel into downtown Boston to get to the expo, and then of course back to the hotel later in the evening. The next morning we will need to get back to downtown, to the Commons area to catch the shuttles to the start line of the race.
I've downloaded an app for the MBTA and done some searches online but there's still a very real amount of time involved and I'm hoping to find the shortest overall time combined with the least amount of necessary walking.
I really need specifics if you have them, including the specific type of transpo (bus, subway, T), what the line is called, and the station name if you know. I am genetically preprogrammed to be a disaster with directions and without a gps in my car, I'm useless any time I leave the general area I live in.
Thanks in advance!
2 people like this
3 responses
@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
4 Dec 12
Heck, the T is a piece of cake to use, trust me. If you are at the airport itself, take the SILVER line, get off SOUTH STREET station, and you're there. If you are across the water, you'll be taking the BLUE line from the AIRPORT stop to STATE STREET, transfer to the ORANGE line for one stop to SOUTH STREET, then go upstairs, and you're there. The trains run about every 15 minutes or so, 18 hours a day or more. Your hotel will be able to tell you if there is a quicker route--
whether you take the train or the bus, sit near the door. Also, I used to put my wallet and money in my front pocket, rather than my purse, though I never had a problem. Nobody in their right mind would drive in Boston--the T works amazingly well. To get downtown--if you take the SILVER line to SOUTH STREET, then transfer to the RED LINE subway, take it 2 stops to PARK STREET-- when you walk upstairs, you are on the corner of the commons, at the foot of Shawmut Hill where the State house is--just follow the crowd at that point. If you are on the BLUE Line, get on at AIRPORT, take the train to GOVERNMENT CENTER, switch to any GREEN LINE OUTBOUND for one stop (or go upstairs and walk about 2 blocks to the common). The time isn't nearly what it looks like--stuff is close together in my hometown. I can't help you with the specific name of the SILVER line you need--it's a bus route, I believe, and they built it during my amnesia period--and I haven't been home since to use it myself. But seriously, it's almost impossible to get lost on the T. Seriously. The drivers, and fellow passengers, are more than willing to help people find their way around, actually.
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
10 Dec 12
Thank you! I appreciate your response and have copied and pasted it into my document of info I'm compiling for my trip lol. One of my friends told me I can get a lot of help from the concierge at the hotel as well as the front desk, and people at the airport should be able to help as well. I'm already preparing to tip them all very well since I am a 'stupid tourist' and I will be asking questions of everybody 
I think we'll be carrying backpacks, we'll be there for the marathon so I will probably just use a backpack rather than carry my purse, and I can put the transit pass in the pocket. Not knowing how many times we'll have to get on and off, transfer and whatnot seems like it's a better deal to just get a pass that's good for a week instead of try and estimate how many different buses or subway trips we'll be taking.
Thanks again, nice to meet you!
I think we'll be carrying backpacks, we'll be there for the marathon so I will probably just use a backpack rather than carry my purse, and I can put the transit pass in the pocket. Not knowing how many times we'll have to get on and off, transfer and whatnot seems like it's a better deal to just get a pass that's good for a week instead of try and estimate how many different buses or subway trips we'll be taking.
Thanks again, nice to meet you!@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
10 Dec 12
Just don't put anything of value in the backpack--pickpockets love backpacks, and Marathon day is a major "shopping"day for them 
. The concierge should be very helpful--since I never stayed anywhere with one, I don't know personally, but they are in the Movies. Definitely get a "charlie" pass--that's what they call the T pass--best deal around. You can literally get anywhere in New England, between public transportation and the Amtrak--no offense to Californians, but cars can be highly over rated.
You'll love my home town--even now a days, it's a great place to visit (though I wouldn't live there again LOL). If you need any more info on the best food, best historic sights, etc. just let me know.
Nice to meet you too 
. The concierge should be very helpful--since I never stayed anywhere with one, I don't know personally, but they are in the Movies. Definitely get a "charlie" pass--that's what they call the T pass--best deal around. You can literally get anywhere in New England, between public transportation and the Amtrak--no offense to Californians, but cars can be highly over rated.
You'll love my home town--even now a days, it's a great place to visit (though I wouldn't live there again LOL). If you need any more info on the best food, best historic sights, etc. just let me know.
Nice to meet you too 1 person likes this
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
11 Dec 12
I should PM you and give you my email - I have about 4 months to get everything planned. Like I said, I have a terrible sense of direction so I am best off having a route listed in my phone with all the specifics or an app where I can put my start point and my end point and then it tells me exactly what to do lol.
If it were cheap and easy to get around without a car - and MORE convenient, I would go that route but I've only lived longterm as an adult in two places - Washington state or California, and both places are very car-oriented. If you don't have a car, it's hard to commute, and commuting is what I've always had to do.
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
4 Dec 12
I grew up in Boston but now live in Austin, Texas. I was in Boston last June for my 50th high school reunion. It is a fabulous city. People are very friendly. The T is great. it is fairly easy to learn. You can get anywhere on the T. All your destinations will be close by. Usually, there is staff in every station to assist you. Other passengers will help. Don't stress. It is very easy to get to the airport from downtown Boston. I can not remember the color of the line but they should be able to direct you at your hotel.
1 person likes this
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
4 Dec 12
Good day to you... Have you tried doing a search for that here at mylot? Give it a try.
