Boston Cruise Port Basics and Public Transport - What You Need to Know!

[@rrwoodruff]

Began Cruise in Boston last year. Used the Silver Line Bus to come in from Logan Airport. Ride is free coming in from the Airport. Stayed at Hampton Inn at the end of the Cruise Terminal. Nice new accommodations and you can use Silver Line Bus to get into the city. Arrived two days before the cruise and toured the city.

[@ThePortLowdown]

Sounds like a real smooth transfer! I believe that Silver Line is also wrapped with the metro track lines on the same ticket. I wonder if you've had any experience with the ferry from Logan to the cruise port? That's our plan for the next trip, staying at an airport hotel the night before.

[@MustangErin]

Thanks for the bus info. My husband and I are all about finding low cost options for getting around port cities. The local bus system has been great in some places we have visited.

[@ThePortLowdown]

Glad to help! I'm always trying to figure out these options, even if it's not always easy.

[@brookwithnoe97]

Great info, thanks!

[@ThePortLowdown]

You're welcome!

[@rachelbaker7615]

These videos are hugely helpful. Thank you so much.

[@ThePortLowdown]

@rachelbaker7615 You're very welcome. We work hard to keep the videos useful and fun to watch. Thanks!

[@Hawkeye2001]

I'll be sailing out of Boston soon. Thanks for the preview.

[@ThePortLowdown]

We're actually on a cruise now that sailed from Boston. Hope you have an awesome trip!

[@Hawkeye2001]

@@ThePortLowdown I'm heading out Saturday on a 24day adventure. Iceland & Greenland.

[@ThePortLowdown]

Enjoy! Fabulous destination and great hiking!

[@amandaregis313]

Our cruise begins in Boston (in one week). Since we're coming in from Montreal and arriving around 8 am on Friday, we're planning on doing some touristy fun before checking in (but definitely taking advantage of our hotel's luggage storage). Thanks for the info.

[@ThePortLowdown]

You're welcome! We're coming back to Boston later this year and hope to cover embarkation and stuff around the immediate area. Enjoy!

[@OhYeaMista]

I’d just spend my afternoon walking the seaport. Great water views with some good food and drink. Unless you really want to see the historical stuff on the freedom trail that might be a better day than fighting to get into Boston proper.

[@ThePortLowdown]

True, but I wanted to cover something basic. Actually, I did a brief walk in that area and will likely feature it in a future video. Thanks! The most asked question amongst the other passengers was how to get to Quincy Market, so Boston Common can get them started. But I personally wasn't that impressed with Quincy...lots of crowds and hype. Any suggestions for waterfront food?

[@OhYeaMista]

@@ThePortLowdown anything along Seaport Blvd or the harbor walk. Lots of restaurants with outdoor seating. Walk along the water towards Fan Pier Park and you’ll find something.

[@shoosterd]

If you’re comfortable taking a walk the walk to Boston Common from the cruise port is an incredibly pleasant 40-minute walk up Summer Street, especially once you get past D Street. And Bluebike day passes for $10 are another great option near the port and all over the city if you’re comfortable bike riding. The real gem worth walking to nearby is the Harborwalk. Start near Harpoon Brewery and follow it all the way to the North End for a splendid 60-90 minute walk, and you can take the T back to your ship when you get tired.

[@ThePortLowdown]

Thanks so much. We actually looked into those options in our research. We'll be back in Boston this year and will consider your advice on options. It will be more on embarkation, tho. I did stroll the harbor area north of the port as well as the design center. Some interesting sights to see to be sure.

[@kathrynblack9152]

Good overview but people should realize that the T 'map' is actually a diagram that is very much not to scale. I live in the area and am often in downtown. I look out for people standing in front of the 'maps' trying to figure them out.

[@ThePortLowdown]

I know. That's true for any subway map, it's a line guide rather than a "map". I remember helping some fellow cruises in much the same way.

[@jimward7881]

A local could not have done a better video

[@ThePortLowdown]

Thank you!

[@bostonrailfan2427]

a couple of corrections: the tickets and cards are completely different…with the exception of a pass the tickets were actually your change if you paid more than the $2.40, the cards are completely separate from them as they’re plastic and multi-use. in the past year they have been in a container next to the farebox for all to take, but before you had to ask the station attendant for one. and two corrections that just went into effect: tickets are no longer dispensed from MBTA machines and you can now pay via mobile devices(the small boxes just above the fare gates in the video). and a huge piece of advice: the bus stops at either end of the terminal with the eastern end being the official end of the line and the western end the first stop. everyone congregates to the western end since that’s where they’re directed so the eastern is the better one

[@ThePortLowdown]

Wow, thank you for the detailed updates! I'll be sure to keep these in mind when doing any updates. Best to you!

[@bostonrailfan2427]

@@ThePortLowdown the new contactless and mobile payment was only started last month and the ending of dispensing tickets started late March. i only know about the SL2 stops due to taking it to/from the terminal July 4th. and the free bus ride was just due to volume of passengers and schedules, your bus was packed so the driver chose to just let folks on to leave to get back on schedule

[@MeredithHM]

I have a tour booked for Fenway Park. What's the best & fastest way to get there from the port?

[@ThePortLowdown]

Fast and easy are simply cabs, who are stationed outside the port area. Uber can be reached, but you'll need to get beyond Falcon to Drydock Ave for a pick up. By public transit, you'll need to transfer at South Station to take the T, purple line, to Lansdowne station.

[@andrew_ray]

As of August 1, 2024, you can now also pay your fare onboard the bus or at a gate using a tap-to-pay credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Cash is still accepted onboard the bus, but change is not available.

[@ThePortLowdown]

That's great news! I really hope more cities adopt this. We saw this in action in Amsterdam, and it just seemed like such a simple thing.