Best apps for getting around Boston in 2026

Every app here can get you around Boston, and most people end up using two. Here is what each one does well, and where it falls short.

By Ahmad Haji, founder of Cobblehop · Updated October 29, 2026

At a glance

• Google Maps: best for door-to-door trips that mix transit, walking and driving. Runs on iPhone, Android and the web.
• Transit: best for everyday riders. Runs on iPhone and Android.
• Citymapper: best for comparing every way to get there, including bikes and scooters. Runs on iPhone, Android and the web.
• Moovit: best for riders who want many language options. Runs on iPhone, Android and the web.
• MBTA Go: best for official MBTA live arrivals and closures. Runs on iPhone and Android.
• MBTA mTicket: best for Commuter Rail and ferry tickets. Runs on iPhone and Android.
• Apple Maps: best for iPhone users who want everything in Maps. Runs on iPhone and Mac.
• Cobblehop: best for one clear route, visitors and stop alerts. Runs in any phone browser, and you can add it to your home screen.

Offline: Transit keeps schedules and its trip planner offline. Google Maps and Moovit save offline maps, and Citymapper does in some cities. Offline use isn't listed for MBTA Go or mTicket, and we couldn't confirm it for Apple Maps. Cobblehop needs a connection.

*In transit navigation. Google announced it, with alerts that tell you when to get off, for Google Maps on Android in 2017. We didn't test how it behaves on every MBTA route today. "Live MBTA times" for Cobblehop means live MBTA predictions where the MBTA provides them. mTicket shows schedules and alerts.

This list isn't a ranking. Pick by what you need.

Google Maps

Good at: Everything at once. It mixes transit with walking, driving and rideshare. It finds places, reviews and opening hours, and it saves offline maps. Its App Store listing promises "real-time updates" for buses and trains. Many visitors already have it.

Watch out for: It shows several route options. That's useful if you know the city and less so if you don't.

Transit

Good at: Getting around Boston every day. Transit lists the MBTA among the Boston-area agencies it covers. Its GO feature sends a departure alarm, then counts down the stops, and says "Your stop is next!" before your stop. It runs in the background, and riders using GO share live data that helps improve arrival estimates. Schedules and the trip planner also work offline.

Watch out for: Transit's App Store listing warns that running GPS in the background can decrease battery life. The core app is free, but a few extras need its paid Royale tier.

Citymapper

Good at: Comparing every way to get somewhere: bus, subway, train, ferry, bike share and scooters. Citymapper still lists Boston as a covered city and names the MBTA as a data source in its current App Store description (updated October 2026). It has live times, a "get off" alert, and tips on the best car to board and the best exit.

Watch out for: Its offline maps cover only some cities, and Boston isn't on the list it publishes. The best-car and best-exit tips depend on the city, and we couldn't confirm how complete they are for Boston.

Moovit

Good at: Step-by-step live navigation, with notifications as you get close to your destination. It also has offline maps, alerts about service changes, and support for 45 languages. Boston University's own Terrier Transit app is powered by Moovit.

Watch out for: Paying for tickets in the app is only available in select cities. Check what works for the MBTA before you rely on it.

MBTA Go and MBTA mTicket (the MBTA's own apps)

MBTA Go is the MBTA's official app for live service information. It shows arrival estimates and live vehicle locations, and it alerts you to closures with maps. It supports language translation, VoiceOver, and Switch and Voice Control. The App Store description doesn't list a trip planner, so you'll need to know your route.

MBTA mTicket sells Commuter Rail and ferry tickets on your phone, and shows schedules and alerts. You need it for the special event trains to Gillette Stadium: the Patriots Train is sold only in mTicket.

Watch out for: These are two separate apps. Neither plans a door-to-door trip for you the way the other apps on this list do.

Apple Maps

Good at: Keeping everything in one place for iPhone users. Apple lists transit directions as available in Massachusetts. Apple also lists Boston for transit cards in Apple Wallet and for transit and payment cards in Maps.

Watch out for: We couldn't confirm from Apple's official pages whether Apple Maps shows live MBTA arrival times.

Cobblehop

Good at: Giving you one clear answer. Type or say where you're going in your own words, like "get me to Logan by 6," and Cobblehop gives you one route card. The card shows what to board, when it leaves, how many stops, and the walk at each end. It uses live MBTA predictions where they're available and a "Live" label to show it. During the ride, it can alert you when your stop is next. It also names the stop before yours, so you know when to start moving to the door.

Its coverage goes beyond Boston. It plans trips on the MBTA, on regional buses across Massachusetts, and on Amtrak and ferries to places like Salem, Worcester, Cape Cod and the islands. It can also find the last train or bus of the night. The app works in 16 languages, and it has accessibility options including step-free routing, larger text, read-aloud and flashing or vibrating alerts.

Watch out for:

• Web app only for now. It works in any phone browser, and you can add it to your home screen. Native iPhone and Android apps aren't out yet.
• Keep it open for alerts. The stop alert needs Cobblehop to stay open. Closing the tab or locking your phone for a long time can end it.
• No offline mode. It needs a data connection.
• Account needed after a few trips. You can plan a few trips as a guest, then you'll need to create an account.
• One route by default. If you like comparing options side by side, Google Maps or Citymapper suits you better.
• Independent. It isn't affiliated with the MBTA or MassDOT.

Which should you use?

• Visiting Boston for a few days: Cobblehop or Google Maps. Add mTicket if you're taking Commuter Rail to Salem, Gillette or the suburbs.
• Commuting every day: Transit or Citymapper, with MBTA Go for official closure alerts.
• Riding in a language other than English: Moovit or Cobblehop.
• Worried about missing your stop: Transit (GO), Citymapper or Cobblehop.
• Taking the train to a Patriots game: you need mTicket.

What MBTA rides cost

• Subway and bus. The subway is $2.40 one way, and a local bus is $1.70. You don't need an app to pay: tap a contactless credit or debit card, phone or watch, or use a CharlieCard or CharlieTicket.
• Commuter Rail. $2.40 to $13.25 one way, depending on the zone. On Saturdays and Sundays, a $10 weekend pass covers unlimited Commuter Rail rides. Tap-to-pay doesn't work on the Commuter Rail, so use mTicket, a ticket from a fare machine or ticket window, or pay the conductor.
• Patriots Train. $20 round trip, sold only in mTicket.
• Kids. Children 11 and under ride free.

Fares as of October 2026. Check the MBTA's fares page before you ride.

Boston transit apps: common questions

Official sources

Cobblehop is independent and isn't affiliated with the MBTA, MassDOT or the other apps on this list. Check their pages for current features:

• MBTA: apps page
• MBTA Go (App Store)
• MBTA mTicket (App Store)
• Google Maps (App Store)
• Google: transit navigation in Google Maps (2017)
• Transit (App Store)
• Transit: Boston region page
• Transit: how to use GO
• Transit: Royale announcement
• Citymapper (App Store)
• Moovit (App Store)
• Boston University: Terrier Transit
• Apple: iOS feature availability (Maps transit, Wallet transit)
• MBTA: Gillette Stadium event trains (mTicket only)
• MBTA: fares overview
• Cobblehop: how it works
• Cobblehop: FAQ

Published October 29, 2026. App features were checked against each app's App Store description and official pages in October 2026. App features change often. We'll recheck this list monthly.