BOSTON, Transportation

As you may already know, during holiday times flights get booked far in advance, so make your travel plans early. Also, the earlier you make reservations, the better chance you wll have of getting a lower fare. Some airlines will sometimes offer a discounted youth/student fare. Prices and packages are constantly changing. Call and check with specific airlines before making travel arrangements.

The best way to get to the airport is usually by taxi. We recommend making an advance reservation during holidays and semester breaks. A cab to the airport will cost about $45, but the fare may be shared by several people traveling together. If you do not have a lot of luggage and have the extra time, you might consider using the “T.” Take the Green Line inbound to Government Center, change to the Blue Line, and take it to the Airport stop. You will then have to take a shuttle bus to your desired airline terminal. You should allow at least an hour and a half for travel time to the airport if going by cab, although it usually won’t take that long. Allow even more time if going by “T.”

BUSES--LONG DISTANCE

Most of the bus companies listed can take you as far south as Florida and as far west as California. Thus, if you are planning a weekend skiing in Vermont or heading to Daytona, FL for Spring Break, it may be most advantageous to take a bus, since the cost is usually less than half of a plane fare. Check for student specials that some companies may offer throughout the year.

Listed below are the major bus lines running from Boston, their locations, phone numbers, and the “T” stop at which to get off to get there. If you have luggage, or several people are traveling together, it may be best to take a taxi to the bus stations and split the fare. Use the “T” if traveling light.

Continental Trailways-Peter Pan Buses

700 Atlantic Ave., Boston

(800) 343-9999

Take the “T” to South Station (Red Line). Visa and MasterCard accepted.

Greyhound Bus Lines

10 St. James Ave., Boston

(800) 231-2222

Take the “T” to South Station (Red Line). Visa, MasterCard, and Discover accepted.

COMMUTER RAIL STATIONS

Back Bay Station

45 Dartmouth St., Boston

T: Copley and a short walk (Green Line) or Back Bay (Orange Line).

North Station

10 Causeway St., Boston

T: N. Station (Green Line).

South Station

Atlantic Ave., Boston

T: S. Station (Red Line).

RAILROAD STATIONS

There are numerous rail stations located in Boston that can provide both local and long distance out-of-town travel. The M.B.T.A. runs the commuter rail

system which reaches most areas in Eastern Massachusetts, such as Attelboro, Foxborough, Stoughton, etc. Amtrak, operating two stations in Boston, provides a relatively inexpensive means of travel to most areas of the upper eastern seaboard. The main Amtrak route basically follows Interstate 95 going down through Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York City, and Washington, D.C. It goes directly as far south as D.C. and as far west as Philadelphia and sometimes Chicago. Longer distance destinations usually require a connection. So if you live in any of these areas or are going for a visit, a train should be a less expensive means than flying. The travel time to New York from Boston is usually a little more than four hours.

If taking an Amtrak train, you can board at either South Station or Back Bay Station. South Station is the departure point for the train, therefore giving you the best opportunity of getting a seat. We recommend that you get there early especially during a holiday travel time (Thanksgiving Weekend tends to be the worst). If you are not worried about the train filling up at South Station, which rarely happens, you may pick it up at its next stop, Back Bay Station (no difference in fare). If traveling relatively light, it is convenient to take the “T” to either station. For South Station, take the Green Line to Park Street and the Red Line (towards Braintree) to South Station. For Back Bay, simply take the Green Line to Copley and walk three blocks to the Amtrak station (also an Orange Line and commuter rail station).

If you have some luggage, or want to avoid the time and hassle of taking the “T” and walking, we suggest that you take a taxi cab to South Station (especially during busy travel) or Back Bay.

LONG DISTANCE RAIL STATIONS

Amtrak--Back Bay Station

(800) USA-RAIL or (800) 872-7245

T: Copley.

Amtrak--South Station

(800) USA-RAIL

T: S. Station.

SUBWAY SYSTEM

In the greater Boston area, the principal means of everyday transportation is the above ground trains and subway system operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (M.B.T.A.). Known to all simply as the “T,” this service can take you to almost any area of the city, as well as the surrounding suburbs and towns. “T” stations and stops are conveniently located throughout the greater Boston area. For just $1.25 in most locations (anywhere in the city and the immediate suburbs), the “T” will take you where you want to go. Above ground going outbound is free. Therefore, a trip to BU (to watch our hockey team annihilate theirs, for instance) would only cost you $1.25, since the trip back is free. Taking the “T” in from locations further out of the city than BC will cost slightly more ($3.00 beyond Chestnut Hill). Some above ground stops, such as Reservoir, have installed bill to token machines to see if they have favorable results, but we are unsure if they will remain. It is also possible to purchase a monthly “T” pass for about $44; however, this is really only worth it if you use the “T” about twice each day. This may be purchased at the Government Center station towards the beginning or end of each month or online at www.mbta.com

It is much more advantageous to take the “T,” or any other form of transportation, rather than driving yourself. The notorious Boston traffic and unique drivers usually live up to the reputation and provide an unnecessary and avoidable hassle. Under most circumstances, the “T” runs at a regular interval schedule. For instance, one usually leaves the BC station every 10 minutes. However, it may not run as frequently during certain late hours, and there are sometimes breakdowns and delays, but these are the exceptions, not the norm.

There are four principal lines: Green, Red, Blue, and Orange. The Green Line splits into four outbound lines: B, C, D, and E. The B Line goes to Boston College, the C Line to Cleveland Circle, etc. Inbound trains always head towards Park Street station where the Green and Red Lines intersect (which also happens to be the location of the first subway in America. Just a little trivia.). The Green Line is the line you will use most often at BC. It takes you directly into Boston, where you may link up with other lines, if need be.

If you are going into Boston from BC, you have three lines to choose from. You can take the B Line right at Boston College. This is perhaps most convenient, but it is by far the slowest ride with the most stops, as it follows Commonwealth Ave. and usually takes around 45 minutes to get to Park Street Station. By taking the free BC bus to Cleveland Circle (3 minute ride from lower campus), you can take the C or D Lines (of the Green Line) into “town.” The C Line follows Beacon Street and has quite a few stops, but it is quicker than the B Line. However, the fastest and easiest way to get downtown is to use the D Line. You can pick it up at the Reservoir stop in Cleveland Circle (right behind Dunkin’ Donuts). If you live on Upper Campus, just walk down Hammond Street and pick the D Line up at the Chestnut Hill stop. Not following a road and with far fewer stops, this “T” cruises! It can usually get you to Park Street in 20 minutes or to a Sox game at Fenway in less than 10 minutes. It is slightly more expensive to take the D Line ($2.50 from Chestnut Hill), but we still recommend it.

The usual hours that the “T” runs are 5:30a.m. to 1a.m. daily, but this tends to vary, depending upon where you are. IMPORTANT: The last “T” of the night usually leaves Park Street going to BC at 1a.m., but it may leave earlier. Plan ahead. If there is a chance you are out and may miss the last “T,” make sure you have money for a cab so you do not get stuck. Also, the last “T” usually leaves BC heading inbound at 12:30a.m.

"T" BUSES

Aside from the “T,” the M.B.T.A. also runs buses that can transport you around the city and to the local suburbs. These buses can take you many places where the “T” does not go, such as the Arsenal Mall, etc. You may pick up a schedule for specific times of departure and destinations.

TAXI SERVICES

Bay State Taxi

(617) 566-5000

Veteran’s Taxi

(617) 527-0300

Veteran’s Taxi is like having your own car and chauffeur whenever you wish. The only difference is in the price. Please don’t drink and drive. This company cares about students and wants to be your personal transportation system. They honor the Eagle One Card!