How to Travel to Salem, MA during Halloween via MBTA Commuter Rail

In this video, I travel to Salem, MA during the morning of Halloween. I wanted to experience what it was like to ride the commuter rail from the Boston North Station to Salem. I heard that car traffic into the city was very bad, and that the commuter rail was the most efficient way to travel to and from Salem.
Recorded October 31, 2021
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Fenix PD36R 1600 Lumen CREE Tactical Flashlight: geni.us/ctlY -Amazon
Repel Reverse Folding Inverted Umbrella: geni.us/XVhOr2D -Amazon
LowePro Photo Classic 300 AW: geni.us/GVSqyIo -Amazon
Powerextra Professional Waterproof Little DSLR Camera Backpack: geni.us/HvD2cYz -Amazon
Video Editing Software & Hardware
CyberLink PowerDirector: geni.us/OW55zyI -Amazon
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WD Black 500GB High-Performance NVMe PCIe Internal SSD: geni.us/H9XZw -Amazon
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[@Purrlow]

I love the fact… you walk everywhere and use public transport!!! As someone who doesn’t drive I very much appreciate videos like this especially

[@ActionKid]

Thank you so much!

[@ShelAZ11]

I may be one of the few fans you have that actually likes all the transportation videos you do. I'm fascinated by the trains, buses, and subways that you take to get around. I like seeing the ticket buying process, the stations, and the scenery. Maybe it's because I feel like I'm going on the adventure too. I actually thought how cool it would be, that if someday I can use a VR headset and join your streams so I can travel and walk with the same POV that you have. Another great video, thanks AK!

[@geetamoonesar249]

I love action kid's transportation videos as well. Reason being I'm use public transportation.. these videos help us with getting around the various cities a bit easier.. thank you action kid ..

[@ActionKid]

You're welcome! I figured this would be a good video to make! The entire process for this trip was a little bit tricky and it's useful for people to know.

[@louisetregomorgan4907]

I appreciate how you show us what app and how to use the subways, when traveling. It make a world of difference AK

[@BoydXplorer]

Great travel to Salem, MA during Haloween via MBTA Commuter Rail. Happy Halloween to you ActionKid.

[@ActionKid]

An efficient way to travel to the city during Halloween!

[@robertkarp6336]

The $10 weekend pass is good for both Saturday and Sunday. Great deal!

[@andrew_ray]

And you can buy the weekend pass from the ticket counter, just not from the ticket machine.

[@duanneaschton-terminusworl8644]

So appreciated. Coming into Boston this weekend and going to make a quick trip to Salem. Your video is the most detailed experience I can find of the commute. ❤

[@jarihult]

Nice looking train rides that took you to Salem ! Busy station , Boston bruins and Boston celtics well known sport teams there at the Boston area !!! Thank you for sharing 👍!!!

[@ActionKid]

Very busy station

[@GeorgiaGirl93]

Thank you for posting this video! I’m heading to Salem in a couple of weeks, and I’ve never taken public transportation before. Never been on a subway or train, this is going to be a totally new experience for me. Any idea of what to do/expect is greatly appreciated.

[@jeysonsiguenza6720]

@@GeorgiaGirl93 how did it go?

[@1joelp]

I was very anxious trying to figure out the commuter rail and this video helped me so much. Thank you 🫡

[@b.griffin317]

2:45 Only Massachusetts would have a place called "Swampscott" 😂

[@beachrose88]

That Newburyport line is a nice ride. Plus can plug phone in at certain seats. Enjoy ride.

[@adam-g7crq]

Crikey AK that train has seen better days 😁, that trains old enough to have its own ghost driver.

[@ANITA-iv5qw]

🤣🤣

[@ActionKid]

Very true!

[@thebluenote4528]

It’s really like traveling with you😆

[@AlexCab_49]

I really like the seats on those trains. You should one day ride metrolink. Doing Halloween in Salem looks like something I gotta do someday

[@britishgray4952]

Good Monday Morning AK I Really Enjoyed The Live Stream On Sunday October 《31ST 2021》 That Egg Plant Parmesan Cheese Look So Amazing Along With The Bread & Oil Again & Again Thank You So Much For Sharing Your Journey With Everybody Take Care With Love Always Ms British Gray From Tampa Florida Blessings 🐼🐼🐼🐼🐼🐼

[@JohnReall]

I watched it too. Loved it.

[@beachrose88]

My wonderful beautiful MA and trains

[@beachrose88]

I'm so excited !!! Here we go. There's room you LL see

[@cliffordtaylor1806]

Love 💗 your videos Actionkid 1,2,3

[@ActionKid]

[@stevenbachner5483]

Nice to see you back in the Boston area AK! I remember you visiting my area of Woburn,MA about a year or more ago. Have fun!!!

[@ActionKid]

My pleasure! It was fun to cover the Boston area again.

[@JohnReall]

Watched the whole thing yesterday. Great fun.

[@normbroel4633]

Nice Video. Even when the trains are crowded it’s still a better mode than driving.

[@jaehongsong4904]

wow the metro looks like it came out of the early 1900s or something

[@nasanierulastname2997]

mainly because it did

[@HengMiao]

AK, you're so thoughtful in creating these informative videos and providing tips that will help people in planning their future trips.👍 There were indeed a lot of people and am glad everyone went out to have fun on Halloween. 👻 🎃 Thank you for sharing this fun train ride to Salem!! 🤗

[@ActionKid]

You're welcome! It wasn't too bad getting to Salem, just the ticketing process was a little bit confusing.

[@beachrose88]

People are friendly in MA. And anytime I visited New York too I was always treated kindly

[@Javy_Valen_Tain]

Happy Halloween 🎃 buddy. Greetings from Peru ;)

[@ActionKid]

Happy Halloween to you too!

[@mazzled7667]

Never activate your MBTA ticket on the App unless the attendant comes around to you. Saves you money. Especially on Halloween ( too many people) and sometimes at night, they don't even bother coming around to ask. Just saying for future reference.

[@beachrose88]

Go fast. Grab seat fast..Halloween there in Salem is very fun

[@beachrose88]

You need to have a wonderful day..Salem you will see is very festive

[@b.griffin317]

7:00 This feels like the Staten Island Ferry. 😬

[@beachrose88]

Yes commuter trains in MS area great

[@beachrose88]

Yes always wait close to gate for trains

[@beachrose88]

This whole train is that line. So there is room

[@cashtimevideo1501]

Rush hour... on a Sunday! . The trains look a bit 'antique', although I'm sure they're decent enough for short journeys 😛

[@beachrose88]

They LL check. They always do. Strict

[@beachrose88]

MA are great

[@seenaroundboston2302]

FWIW you can save time by not going through the hassle of procuring a ticket; just get on the train and the conductors come along seat-by-seat to collect tickets or cash.

[@xmn12380]

I usually only deal with the commuter rail at South Station. That being said, this looks like a rush hour crowd, not a Sunday morning crowd.

[@ActionKid]

It's an annoying process to travel between the North and South Stations! The only experience I had with South Station was to take Amtrak.

[@xmn12380]

@@ActionKid they've been talking about building a little tunnel between them, or making some kind of shuttle bus for them for years, cuz lots of people have to cross from one branch to the other. But, as you could see, nothing yet.

[@csgloria]

that train needs an upgrade, looks rough

[@ActionKid]

Yes, they use older trains.

[@MrLarrythehacker]

@@ActionKid We might finally get some new ones in 2043

[@beachrose88]

I'm surprised so few costumes on train

[@sswan9689]

You never experienced the rush of people going to a train? You live in NYC go to the Moynihan Amtrak station. Every time they post what track a train comes on people rush over to that track. It could be NJ, CT, metro north or amtrak trains the rush over to the track is still the same, Lol!! I normally would be taking amtrak down south (NC)

[@MartyGlenn72]

Exactly. Penn Station In NYC is like a ZOO for the loading of NJ Transit and LIRR trains, because they have a rule of only announcing the train no earlier than 10 minutes before departure time. Weekends can be even worse because the crowds on weekends consist of "amateurs" not used to riding like the regular weekday commuters including families with children and grandparents, and they can be carrying shopping bags, luggage, and other cumbersome belongings. Plus, the NJT/Amtrak platforms have a limited amount of narrow staircases, which slows things down. Grand Central Terminal is not as bad because they don't have that 10 minute rule, and many of the platforms are ground level with no stairs to worry about, so passengers can usually get on the Metro North trains at a more leisurely pace...

[@ActionKid]

I had to do that on the trip coming here to Boston 😂

[@beachrose88]

Have a great time. I love Salem, Glouscter, Beverly . Actually all of MA except Drug filled Lawrence and Lowell

[@beachrose88]

You can go to window too

[@Spaceshotx7]

Why don't they station crewmembers on the platforms at Salem and North Station to walk up and down the platforms and open all the doors in order to reduce delays?

[@krystalrios4880]

What was the app you used to purchase your train ticket? I'm travelling there in a few days and trying to find the most efficient way to get through.

[@b.griffin317]

10:20 Either M1 or M3 cars.

[@Alphadestrious]

Are there any tunnels on the way from Boston to Salem

[@kallietinnel3905]

What app did you use to buy that ticket

[@beachrose88]

I bet on train you might see people in Costumes

[@beachrose88]

If full go to next train

[@beachrose88]

People are filing by you on right .get up there

[@Frankieefootballmundial]

Homeless man in 0:25

[@NuryRaffucci]

Interested! Which station can we take the community rail ? That’s in New York City ?

[@michaelmorales1475]

This is in Boston. The New York Commuter Rails are Called: Metro North & Long Island Rail Road.

[@MarknNewYorkCity]

MBTA Subway and Commuter Rail lines at 135 Causeway St, Boston MA

[@julabask]

Unlike new York which everything terminates at grand Central station Boston has 3 hubs and based on which side of the state your trying to commute to you need to exit Boston at one pf these 3 stations closest to that side. The 3 stations are north station, south station and back bay. North station which is where he is will take you north. Like one line will take you to Salem another to Concord etc. Next one is backbay station. This takes you west like providence Rhode island, foxborogh etc. Next station is south station this will take you both on routes south and west as backbay to Fairmont, foxborogh etc as the west lines in backbay also extend to south station giving commuters coming in the opportunity to work in both back bay and financial district very highly paying parts of Boston. South station also has a bus station to and this is like Port authority of New York. This bus station will get you commercial lines to interconnect you to places like Port authority New York or Pennsylvania or Virginia wherever you're looking to take a bus if you're taking a bolts bus or Megabus to Boston from New York South station bus station is where you'll end up. But also look at the local t lines too. Unlike new York a lot of our local low priced t lines span far out of the city unlike new York and commuter rails aren't the only option. For example the red line connects Boston from south station to a thriving city Quincy south with lots to do. This also brings you to Dorchester which has the biggest Vietnamese community and some of the best Asian food. But it's a local community and not the most touristy area. Go with a local Friend knows the area. north it brings you to Somerville and Cambridge which is a very lively towns too just over the charles river. Many non locals will think it's still Boston as this is where many of the big tech companies live and some of the most famous colleges are too. Mit and Harvard. Orange line and green lines north takes you to some of the nice parts for locals of north Cambridge too. Westbound Orange line takes you to some of the nicest neighborhoods in Boston to get a house in which most tourist don't know about. Stops at Jamaica plains, and has express busses to roslindale, west Roxbury and to the bordering town of dedham. These communities are m very suburban and beautiful with lots of beautiful landscaping parks, food, ponds and many big wild life reservations. even though all of them except for deadham are part of Boston they don't feel like a city at all. It's the area where locals can feel like they get out of the city but really don't and have a quick commute back into the city. Enjoy all our major hubs in all directions. They bring a very diverse feeling of types of neighborhood styles together into one big city. Even if they aren't all governed by Boston they all feel like one big city thanks to the ancient trains still running.

[@NuryRaffucci]

@@julabask thank you! Excellent explanation !! 👍

[@michaelmorales1475]

@@julabask Not everything Terminates at Grand Central Terminal lol, but yeah.

[@zd2917]

Is the train available 24hrs

[@beachrose88]

Notice people were courteous

[@beachrose88]

Go ask at the window

[@NuryRaffucci]

Where is North Station ??

[@MartyGlenn72]

Boston, Massachusetts

[@beachrose88]

Make people share seat.

[@Davanthall]

Step by step instructions on how to get to Salem MA on Halloween. Step 1. Don't. Step 2. Don't Step 3. Really, don't. Step 4. No seriously, that's a bad idea Step 5. For the sake of your own sanity, don't do that. Step 6. I'm begging you, don't. Step 7. We're talking about crowds that make Disney world look like Napoleon Dynamite's neighborhood here, you do NOT. WANT. TO DO THIS.

[@ILVT_Plumbing]

first

[@gypsyaspen1297]

Please videos are very helpful since they give people a sense of what to expect and that they've already been through

[@r.i.pyoutube6881]

like cows

[@林嫣-q4n]

Could you tell me where this is?

[@beachrose88]

Window. Window for ticket

[@beachrose88]

Everyone so happy..festive day. You will like Salem. Movie Hocus Pocus was filmed there

[@beachrose88]

There is another location you can go up to window to get tickets. It's away from machines. I always go to window as usually have questions .you need

[@beachrose88]

There is a giant wall screen. North station is always busy station .I love it. Go to window and have fun on train

[@jacquelinewilson1827]

Good afternoon thankyou for the transportation information great 👍🏽 video have fun

[@gypsyaspen1297]

It's always fun to see how and why other people travel

[@beachrose88]

Nice light sunny ride

[@keithnichols7926]

Travelers need to understand that traveling is not a passive undertaking. It's become a young person's sport that requires being in shape. Getting yourself and your luggage to the point of embarkation and onto the plane or train takes time and physical energy for walking and standing in lines, especially nowadays, when security checks are involved. Ken's videos continually illustrate this, and incidentally illustrate that there's no physique that jeans manufacturers cannot clothe.

[@TheFlatlander440]

Just rent a car and drive. It's more fun.

[@julabask]

To Salem? No I own a car. I can tell you driving there is just as long. It's about 39 minutes to an hour at any sane time to be driving there. And you just get stuck on i-93. It may be more enjoyable to be in your car if you already own it. But If you don't own a car spending 90+ dollars in a car for a quick trip up Salem is stupid. It's not a fun drive. Nothing scenic just traffic. Once you get there your parking in the mbta lot anyways. It's not going to be faster in car. If you don't have a car this is definately both nicest choice both cost, speed and you can get a windiwv seat and relax while looking at the scenary. Vs getting stuck behind non moving traffic on i-93 and just massholes changing lanes in deadlock traffic. The trains don't get impacted by traffic. Also most people like to drink in Salem. Your not very smart if you plan to drive 45 minutes back drunk when you have this option.