Planning a trip to Massachusetts without a car or want to minimize driving once you’re here? Here’s how.
To Massachusetts:
There’s an extensive network of airports that serve Massachusetts (in-state and in nearby New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire); Amtrak’s high-speed Acela service along the Northeast corridor; and highly-competitive bus service from New York. Amtrak also provides service from Portland, Maine to Boston and from Chicago, Cleveland, and Buffalo to Pittsfield, Springfield, Worcester, and Boston.
Around the State:
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, known as the T, operates trolleys, trains, buses, and ferries in the Greater Boston area. The T’s commuter trains go as far as Lowell and Newburyport to the north of Boston; west to Worcester and Fitchburg; and south to Plymouth, Middleborough, and Providence, Rhode Island. Bicycles are allowed on selected buses and trains and all ferries.
Boston is a remarkably compact city. Best travel options: walk, bike, or take the T. Check out the City of Boston’s Boston Bikes program for a free bike map and other bike-friendly programs. For a nominal fee, you can hop on a sturdy bike from BLUEbikes, the bike share program in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and Brookline — now with 1,400 bicycles and 140 stations.
Heading to Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, or Nantucket Island? Take a train (Cape Flyer between Boston and Cape Cod), ferry or plane, then hop on a bus or rent a bike. Details.
More car-free options:
▪ Take the Salem Ferry (no witches on board) to and from Boston.
▪ Beat the traffic and take the shortcut from Boston to Provincetown on fast ferries operated by Boston Harbor Cruises and the Bay State Cruise Co. — both just 90 minutes, dock-to-dock.
▪ Visiting Concord and Lexington? Get around on the Liberty Ride trolley, which provides hop-on, hop-off service to all the revolutionary and literary sites.
▪ Explore the coastal communities of Ipswich and Essex by taking the T commuter train to Ipswich, then riding the Ipswich and Essex Explorer bus.
▪ Almost car-free: Zip Car, the innovative car-sharing service is headquartered in Cambridge and has locations through Boston and Cambridge and at several college campuses across the state.
- By bike