Cambridge (Massachusetts) public transportation · Public transportation in Cambridge (Massachusetts)
All Destinations | Europe | Asia | North America | Africa | South America | Oceania | Hotels
Public transportation in Cambridge (Massachusetts)
Public transportation in Cambridge (Massachusetts)
Public transportation is provided by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority ("MBTA") , which serves the entire Boston Metro area (including Cambridge.) The local subway system is called the "T" and can take you to most points of interest. The T's Red Line has Cambridge stations in Kendall Square, Central Square, Harvard Square, and Porter Square. The Green Line has one station in Cambridge: Lechmere.
Directions are often marked "inbound" and "outbound", with reference to downtown Boston, where all four lines converge at four stops: State (Blue and Orange), Park Street (Red and Green), Government Center (Blue and Green), and Downtown Crossing (Orange and Red).
The MBTA does not operate 24-hour service. Service begins for the day after 5.30AM and ends before 12:15AM on week-days. Week-end schedules are slightly different and do not open until 6.30AM on Sundays. Transport still runs for a short time after this — stated times are "first train leaves the station" or "last train leaves the station" — and thus, to complete the route, will actually be in service for as much as an hour longer or an hour before, but it is imperative to find out when last service is scheduled to the stations you need, and allot time for early or late arrivals.
MBTA employees can offer information on scheduling, but are not always available at all stations. Communication between stations is complex and while significant changes will be announced, often T employees themselves are not informed of delays or minor changes. Bus stations that are not also subway stations are unstaffed.
As of July 2009, subway fare is $2 and includes transfers between all four subway lines (Red, Green, Orange and Blue) and bus fare varies between $1.50 and $5 and also includes transfers. Fares are paid via a stored value ticket available in vending machines at subway stations. Fare is discounted if using the freely available reusable plastic pass, which can be obtained at Harvard Square station, 7-11 convenience stores or Star supermarkets.
Information on fares, routes, delays and schedule changes is available at the MBTA's web site.
Parking at the Alewife station on the Red line is ample and costs $8 per 24 hour period.
MBTA Commuter Rail (color-coded purple) leaves from Porter Square, serving one of the twelve commuter rail lines. This should not be confused with
Amtrak, the US national rail service, which departs from South Station, Back Bay Station, and North Station, all of which are in Boston.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Cambridge (Massachusetts)
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Cambridge (Massachusetts) - updated May 2024
SAVE up to 75% on Last Minute deals! Search for discount Cambridge (Massachusetts) hotels, motels, apartments, hostels, guest accommodations and vacation resorts. Book now and pay at the hotel. Instant email confirmation!
>>> SEARCH FOR DEALS <<<
WHERE TO TRAVEL NEXT IN 2020
Cambridge (Massachusetts) Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.