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Unlock Boston's transit secrets! From Logan Airport to downtown, discover the easiest and most affordable ways to explore, including the subway, bus, and Uber. Get ready to navigate Boston like a pro.
As I prepared for my Boston trip, one thing I really pondered was how to get around. I looked into what would be the most convenient option among the subway, bus, and Uber, and how I could minimize parking stress and save on costs. While many cities in the U.S. are easier to navigate with a car, Boston's public transportation, including its subway and bus systems, is well-connected, and it's also a great city for walking tours, meaning you can easily explore the main attractions without a rental car.
For this trip, I personally used everything from airport transfers to the city to the subway, bus, and Uber.
I'll share my real experiences, including how I paid directly with the contactless credit card I use in Korea, and which transportation methods I found most convenient at different times.
Comparing Ways to Get from Boston Airport to Downtown
Boston Logan International Airport is relatively close to downtown, and there are various transportation options. The most commonly used methods are the Silver Line, the Blue Line, and Uber. A huge advantage is that the cost of traveling from the airport to the city center is much lower compared to other major cities like New York.
▪️Silver Line: You can take the Silver Line SL1 bus to travel between Logan Airport and South Station without any transfers. A significant advantage is that it's completely free when you're traveling from Logan Airport towards downtown.
▪️Uber: If you have a lot of luggage or are traveling with family, Uber is also a great option. It takes you directly to your destination, and it's much easier to get around when the weather isn't great. However, prices can fluctuate depending on the time of day, so be sure to check beforehand.
Having visited Boston multiple times, I've split my travel between public transport and Uber depending on my itinerary and luggage. If convenience is your top priority, Uber is unbeatable. But if you want to save money, I highly recommend the Silver Line.
My Personal Review of Using the Boston Subway
The Boston subway is known as the oldest subway system in the U.S. While its long history means the facilities might feel a bit modest compared to modern systems, it's relatively well-maintained, and I had no major issues connecting to the main tourist spots.
The most convenient part was being able to tap my credit card, the same one I use in Korea, directly on the turnstile terminal instead of needing a CharlieCard. It was so handy not having to buy a new card or load money onto it from the very first day of my trip.
Popular spots like Harvard University, MIT, Boston Common, and Quincy Market are mostly accessible by subway. If you check the routes beforehand, it's easy to use and convenient to combine with walking tours. During rush hour, there were a lot of passengers, but the train frequency wasn't too long, and it wasn't uncomfortably packed, so it was fine.
If you're curious about Harvard and MIT campus tour information, easily accessible via the Red Line subway, check out the reviews below.
My Personal Experience Taking the Bus in Boston
For places difficult to reach by subway alone, I used the bus. You could board the bus simply by tapping your credit card, and the usage method was the same as taking a bus in Korea, so even first-time users won't find it difficult if they just check the route number and destination.
One useful tip is the transfer benefit. Boston's public transportation (MBTA) automatically applies one free transfer (bus ↔ bus, subway ↔ bus) within 2 hours of your initial ride, even if you're using an international credit card. Utilizing transfers well is a great way to save on transportation costs while getting around.
My Uber Experience: So Useful During My Boston Trip
Uber was particularly useful for airport transfers or late-night travel. When subway services were reduced, or when I had to move with multiple suitcases, it was much more convenient to go directly to my destination's doorstep. Even on rainy days, a car arrived within 5 minutes of calling, so I didn't have to wait long. And when traveling with others, it was more satisfying to pay a little extra to get to our destination all at once, rather than each paying for public transport separately.
When I didn't have much luggage, I used UberX; for more people and suitcases, I opted for UberXL. During the times I used it, UberXL was about ~$10 to ~$15 more expensive than UberX, but it was definitely a worthwhile option when traveling with multiple people. Compared to New York, Uber fares felt relatively more affordable, making it a good choice. However, Uber fares do vary depending on the time of day. During rush hour, late nights, early mornings, or on rainy days, fares were sometimes displayed higher than usual, so I recommend checking once before calling for a ride.
My Recommended Transportation Methods
Based on Different Situations
Situation | Recommended Method |
Airport → City Center | Silver Line / Blue Line, Uber |
Harvard · MIT | Red Line |
Back Bay, Boston Common | Green Line |
Rainy days, late nights, early mornings, with lots of luggage | Uber |
When your accommodation is far from a subway station | Bus, Uber |
Exploring Boston Without a Rental Car:
My Public Transport Experience...
Among the American cities I've visited so far, Boston's public transportation is particularly well-developed and easy to use. Parking fees are expensive and spots are hard to find in the city center, but most major tourist attractions are accessible by subway and bus, so a rental car wasn't absolutely necessary.
For this Boston trip, relying mostly on the subway and walking was perfectly sufficient, and only using buses and Uber when needed made it incredibly convenient to get everywhere.
Being able to use the subway and bus simply by tapping an international credit card made trip preparation much simpler. Especially since both buses and subways offer free transfers within 2 hours, it's great for saving on transportation costs.
If you're planning a trip to Boston, I recommend combining the subway, bus, and Uber, tailored to your accommodation's location and itinerary.
I've also put together essential walking tour itineraries for downtown Boston that you can thoroughly explore just by subway and on foot, so be sure to check them out when planning your trip.
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The Silver Line SL1 bus is free when traveling from Logan Airport towards the city. This bus goes directly to South Station without transfers, making it the best way to save on costs.
Yes, you can use your contactless credit card from Korea by tapping it at the turnstile or terminal to immediately use Boston's subway and buses. Within 2 hours of your first ride, one free transfer between bus ↔ bus or subway ↔ bus is automatically applied, helping you save on transportation costs.
Uber is especially useful for airport transfers, late-night travel, or when you have a lot of luggage. During the times I used it, UberXL was about $10-15 more expensive than UberX.
Harvard University and MIT are easily accessible via the Red Line subway. Most major tourist attractions, including Boston Common and Quincy Market, can be reached by subway, and Boston Common can also be accessed via the Green Line.
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