Boston

[hjp]

Previously, I had read where someone going to Custom House had flown into Providence, RI; however, I cannot remember the details of the trip on into Boston.

I'm having a bit of a problem finding nonstop flights from Phoenix to Boston and Southwest flies into Providence.

Details from anyone who has flown into Providence and then gone up to Custom House would be appreciated.

[Dave M]

It's about a one hour drive from the Providence airport to downtown Boston, unless you drive when everyone else is trying to get there! I-95 to I-93. It's that simple.

Since this relates more to New England than to Marriott, I'm moving it to the Eastern forum.

[Bill4728]

If you're going to stay a week at the Custom House, I'd advise you to carefully decide if it make sense to rent a car for the week. The parking fee at the custom house is >$35/day. Renting a car for the day when you need it make make more sense. There are 2 car rental companies which have cars a block away in one of the waterfront parking garages.

[hjp]

Is there any easy public transportation?--I really don't want to drive and face the parking fees at Custom House.

[RonB]

Originally Posted by hjp

Is there any easy public transportation?--I really don't want to drive and face the parking fees at Custom House.

Yes - it's called the "T" - their subway. They sell a pass called a "Charlie Card". Anyone know why it's called that? The reference goes back almost 50 years.
Ron

[Dave M]

The Charlie Card name emanates from the MTA song made famous by the Kingston Trio:

Let me tell you the story
Of a man named Charlie
On a tragic and fateful day
He put ten cents in his pocket,
Kissed his wife and family
Went to ride on the MTA

Charlie handed in his dime
At the Kendall Square Station
And he changed for Jamaica Plain
When he got there the conductor told him,
"One more nickel."
Charlie could not get off that train.

Chorus:
Did he ever return,
No he never returned
And his fate is still unlearn'd
He may ride forever
'neath the streets of Boston
He's the man who never returned.

Now all night long
Charlie rides through the tunnels
Saying, "What will become of me?
How can I afford to see
My sister in Chelsea
Or my cousin in Roxbury?

Charlie's wife goes down
To the Scollay Square station
Every day at quarter past two
And through the open window
She hands Charlie a sandwich
As the train comes rumblin' through.

As his train rolled on
underneath Greater Boston
Charlie looked around and sighed:
"Well, I'm sore and disgusted
And I'm absolutely busted;
I guess this is my last long ride.

Now you citizens of Boston,
Don't you think it's a scandal
That the people have to pay and pay
Vote for Walter A. O'Brien
And fight the fare increase
Get poor Charlie off the MTA.

Chorus:
Or else he'll never return,
No he'll never return
And his fate will be unlearned
He may ride forever
'neath the streets of Boston
He's the man (Who's the man)
He's the man (Oh, the man)
He's the man who never returned.

[bluehende]

Originally Posted by RonB

Yes - it's called the "T" - their subway. They sell a pass called a "Charlie Card". Anyone know why it's called that? The reference goes back almost 50 years.
Ron

The T is great. Even as an out of towner on the 4th of July we negotiated it with ease. The week long pass cost 15 bucks and I saved at least twice that just in gas. Very easy to get to most things in Boston on it. Also great for people watching. Also a lot of the area is a pretty easy walk.

[RonB]

Our son moved to Boston last year - we went up in April to see how he was doing, (great). We rode on the T, and in talking to his friends, no one had any idea why the pass was called the "Charlie Card". I sent him a copy of the song when we got home. He and his friends all loved it.
Ron

[Scott_Ru]

I agree with all the advice above. If Boston is your goal, the Custom House is very well located and you will not need a car. (Driving in Boston is another matter altogether unless you are one of "us!") The "T" is available right in front of the Custom House and much of Boston is within walking distance.

Enjoy!

[falmouth3]

One question that didn't get answered here is how the OP will get to Boston if he flies into Providence and if he doesn't rent a car. I don't know the answer.

Southwest also flies into Manchester, NH. I believe there is a bus service from Mancester to Boston. I am familiar with the Manchester airport. It's small, modern, and very user friendly.

Check out this link: http://www.flymanchester.com/transpo...le_service.php

It looks like it's free.

I concur with the suggestion to use the T. We have been locals for the last 5 years and we do not park in Boston when we go to the city, we park in a commuter garage and take the T. Once you're in the city, you can get almost anywhere on foot, the T, or by bus.

Good luck.

Sue

[KCI]

If the OP flies into Logan airport, he or she can take the water taxi across the harbor, get off at the Marriott LongWharf hotel, and walk the block and a half to the Custom House..just make sure you only have one pull type suitcase and no more than one shoulder carry on. We have done this for years and it is a marvelous experience after the plane ride. In the past it was about $35 per person, round trip to go across the harbor and then back to Logan. Any questions, email or pm me. Linda

[Jennie]

Perhaps you can obtain the info you need from:

The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, 2 Copley Place, Suite 105, Boston, MA 02116-6501 (tel. 888/SEE-BOSTON) OR

The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, 10 Park Plaza, Suite 4510, Boston, MA 02116 (tel. 800/227-MASS or 617/973-8500; fax 617/973-8525; www.massvacation.com).

Or why don't you call the Custom House and ask the Concierge for suggestions.

We had a wonderful experience taking the FREE walking tour of the Freedom Trail. It is given daily by the U.S. Park rangers.

Have a wonderful vacation.

[MULTIZ321]

HJP,

This link will provide Travel Options from T.F.Green Airport in Providence, RI to Boston. It's about a half-hour train ride to Boston on their fast ACELA trains.

For information about the Massachusets Bay Transportaion Authority (MBTA) and the Green Cards
see http://www.mbta.com/

MBTA also operates the Inner Harbor Ferry (in addition to other Commuter Ferries). If you do the Freedom Trail, and go to see the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides), a travel option to get back to downtown Boston is to walk about a half-block from Old Ironsides to the Charlestown Navy Wharf and take the Inner Harbor Ferry to Long Wharf Boston (this dock is at the Acquarium and very close to the Custom House)- fare is $1.70 for adults (actually you could do this trip in the reverse if you wanted to start out your trip Freedom Trail trip from Old Ironsides and Bunker Hill (a short trek up the hill)). See the MBTA website and click on the "Boat" icon for ferry schedule information. Also, don't forget that Old Ironsides is closed for Public Boarding on Monday's, and if you have time, the Old Irondsides Museum is fascinating.

Have a great trip -


Richard