traveling INTO Boston

[suenmike32]

Does anyone have anysuggestions as to where (outside of Boston), I can park, leave my car overnight and take the "T" into town?
I'll be driving east over the Mass Pike (I-90), so, somewhere in Boston's suburbs near I-90 is best for me.
Once, we stayed at a motel on the outskirts and took the trolly into town, but this time we'll be staying downtown.
I check MTA's site for park & rides and got nowhere.
Thanks
Mike

[Dave M]

The easiest for you is to take the Green line in from the Riverside (end of the line) stop. It's a longer ride than some others - about 30-35 minutes - but it's convenient.

Exit the Pike at I-95 and go south on I-95 to the first exit - Route 16 / Grove Street. Stay to the right as you get off of I-95, making a 270-degree turn and going back over I-95. You'll see the mammoth parking lot for the T stop on your left about 2/10 of a mile after crossing I-95.

The lot, like other T parking lots, could be full if you arrive between 8:00am and 5:00pm on a weekday.

The fare is $3.00 headed downtown and $1.25 coming back.

See this link for more info.

[suenmike32]

Thank you Dave, that's exactly what I'm looking for.
Mike

[Linda74]

We usually stay at the Westin in Waltham and park just as Dave has suggested. Goiing to Fenway in a few weeks and this works best for us.

[falmouth3]

You could also park at Alewife. It's $5 per day. Take 90 to 95/128 North. Take Route 2 East. You'll see big signs for Alewife Station on Route 2. Take the RED line into Boston. $1.25 per person.

Good luckk and have a great time!

Sue

[Dave M]

I take the Red line from Alewife often, but it's an extra 20-minute drive from the Pike, often longer at rush hour on a weekday. On the other hand, the shorter ride to downtown, about 20 minutes, will mostly offset that difference.

[grest]

Alewife is usually our choice.
Connie

[Jeanine]

We'll be coming from the north (Canada) on Saturday or Sunday. Which would be the best station for us to park at, and how do we get there?

Thank you.

Jeanine

[Dave M]

Easy to find is Alewife station. You'll be coming south on I-95. If you come into Massachusetts on I-93, turn south on I-95.

The see post #5 in this thread.

Also easy to find is the Wellington Station on the Orange line. Go south on I-93 to within about five miles of downtown Boston - to Route 16. Take that exit and turn left at the stoplight. You'll go through a couple of stoplights, but only one MAJOR stoplight (Route 28, with major cross streets). Almost immediately after going through this intersection, you'll go up a short hill, which crosses the Orange line tracks. Turn right into the parking area as you go down the hill. It's only three stops and a 10-minute ride from there to downtown Boston.

It's not as easy to find your way back to an Interstate highway from the Orange line. Coming back, turn right onto Route 28 at that major intersection and follow 28 until you get to I-93.

Tell us where in Boston you're going and we'll hone in on what's best.

[Jeanine]

Originally Posted by Dave M

Tell us where in Boston you're going and we'll hone in on what's best.

Dave, thanks so much. I did the Google map search and went to MBTA site, but it's hard to know what's where, so it would be lovely to have specific directions. We'll be at the Custom House.

Jeanine

[Dave M]

For the Custom House, follow the Wellington Station Orange Line directions in my post. Take the Orange Line ($1.25) Inbound from Wellington to the 5th stop - State Street. From there you have two options.

If you have a lot of luggage, follow the signs to transfer to the Blue Line (no charge) and go Outbound for one stop to the Aquarium stop. As you exit the train walk back towards the direction from which you came and go up the elevator to the street. You'll come out within about 30 yards of the Custom House ("CH").

If you don't have a lot of luggage, simply go up to the street level, ask someone which way to State Street and then walk on State the equivalent of two to three good-sized city blocks (Boston block sizes vary) toward the waterfront. The CH will be on your right - on State Street, although the front of CH is on a side street.

Incidentally, if you decide to drop off luggage at CH first and then drive out to Wellington Station, take I-93 northbound (the CH concierge can make it easy for you) about two miles and then get off at Route 28. Follow route 28 north for about a mile almost to the first major intersection - Route 16. Turn into the multi-level parking structure on the right for the "T" about 200 yards before the stoplight. Then take the free tram over to the station. If you miss the parking garage, simply turn right at the stoplight and just over the mini-hill is the entrance to the station surface parking referred to in my previous post.

[falmouth3]

Since I use Alewife all the time, I can give you directions there. I don't know if you're coming down 93 or 95. However, you can get off 93 south to 95/128 south. Get off on the Route 2 exit to Cambridge (East). Do not take the Route 2A exit. You'll see a big sign for Alewife. Get off there and go into the parking garage on the left. Make sure you go into the area with the ticket booths. It's the 2nd left into the parking garage area. Otherwise you'll pull into the dropoff/pickup area and that will be frustrating because there is no easy way to get back to where you want to be.