Boston to Providence by train

Two kinds of trains run between Boston and Providence. The Commuter Rail runs more often. Amtrak is faster.

By Ahmad Haji, founder of Cobblehop · October 28, 2026

Option 1: Commuter Rail

1. Board at South Station or Back Bay. Look for a Providence/Stoughton Line train going to Providence or Wickford Junction. On weekdays, some trains on this line go to Stoughton instead and don't reach Providence.
2. Most trains stop at Ruggles, Route 128, Canton Junction, Sharon, Mansfield, Attleboro and Pawtucket/Central Falls on the way. Weekend trains also stop at Hyde Park and Readville.
3. Get to the door after Pawtucket/Central Falls. Providence is next.

Some weekday trains continue past Providence to TF Green Airport and Wickford Junction. TF Green is about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes from South Station. On the fall 2026 schedule, none of these trains run on weekends.

Getting to the Providence train

South Station is on the Red Line and the Silver Line. Back Bay is on the Orange Line. Both stations have Commuter Rail and Amtrak trains to Providence, so pick whichever is easier to reach.

Option 2: Amtrak

Amtrak Northeast Regional and Acela trains leave from South Station and Back Bay, and some also stop at Route 128. The ride to Providence takes about 35-50 minutes. Amtrak's published schedule has fewer trains than the Commuter Rail, and they're spaced unevenly through the day. Amtrak tickets are for a specific train, so plan ahead.

How often and how late Providence trains run

Times are from the current fall schedule. Ask Cobblehop for the "last train to Boston" on the day you travel.

Coming back to Boston from Providence

1. At Providence station, board a Commuter Rail train to South Station, or an Amtrak train to Boston.
2. Commuter Rail trains stop at Ruggles and then Back Bay before South Station.
3. Get to the door after Back Bay if you're going to South Station, or after Ruggles if you're getting off at Back Bay.

What it costs

• Commuter Rail. Providence is in Zone 8, so it's $12.25 one way from South Station or Back Bay. TF Green Airport, in Zone 9, is $12.75, and Wickford Junction, in Zone 10, is $13.25.
• Weekends. On Saturdays and Sundays, a $10 weekend pass covers unlimited Commuter Rail rides, all the way to Providence. Buy it on the mTicket app, at a ticket window at South Station or Back Bay, or from the conductor.
• How to pay. Use the mTicket app, a fare machine or ticket window, or pay the conductor. Paying on board can add a $3 fee when you board at a station that sells tickets. Tap-to-pay doesn't work on the Commuter Rail. Children 11 and under ride free.
• Amtrak. Amtrak sets its own fares. Check Amtrak for the price of your train.
• RIPTA buses in Providence. $2 a ride. Paying with RIPTA's Wave card or app gives you an hour of unlimited rides. Cash is exact change only and doesn't include transfers.

Fares as of October 2026. Check the MBTA's Commuter Rail fares page, Amtrak and RIPTA before you ride.

Tips for the Providence train

• Back Bay is a handy place to board if you're staying nearby. Commuter Rail trains reach Providence about 5 minutes sooner from there.
• Ask Cobblehop for the "next train to Providence". It looks at both the Commuter Rail and Amtrak and shows you the one that gets you there first.
• Coming back the same day? Check the last train before you make dinner plans.
• Cobblehop plans your trip to Providence station and the walk from there. Providence city buses (RIPTA) aren't in Cobblehop yet.

What can go wrong on the Providence trip

• Boarding a Stoughton train. On weekdays, check that your train is going to Providence or Wickford Junction.
• Long weekend gaps. On weekends, missing a train can mean a 2-hour wait.
• Delays. Cobblehop uses live MBTA predictions for the Commuter Rail and shows when a train on your route is canceled. Amtrak times come from the published schedule.

Boston to Providence train: common questions

How long is the train from Boston to Providence?

About 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes on the MBTA Providence/Stoughton Line from South Station or Back Bay. Amtrak takes about 35-50 minutes but runs fewer trains.

How often does the Commuter Rail run to Providence?

About every hour on weekdays, with trains every 30-45 minutes in the late afternoon from Boston, and about every 2 hours on weekends.

When is the last train from Providence to Boston?

On the fall 2026 schedule, the last Commuter Rail train from Providence leaves around 11:25 pm, on weekdays and on weekends.

Does every Providence/Stoughton Line train go to Providence?

No. On weekdays, some trains on this line go to Stoughton instead and don't reach Providence. Check that your train is going to Providence or Wickford Junction.

How much is the train from Boston to Providence?

The Commuter Rail is $12.25 one way from South Station or Back Bay, because Providence is in Zone 8. On Saturdays and Sundays, a $10 weekend pass covers unlimited Commuter Rail rides. Amtrak sets its own fares, so check Amtrak for the price of your train.

Official sources

Cobblehop is independent and isn't affiliated with these agencies or operators. Check their pages for the latest schedules and service changes:

• MBTA: Providence/Stoughton Line timetable
• MBTA: South Station
• MBTA: Back Bay station
• Amtrak: Providence station
• Amtrak: Northeast Regional
• Amtrak: Acela
• RIPTA: Rhode Island Public Transit Authority
• MBTA: Commuter Rail fare zones
• MBTA: $10 Commuter Rail weekend pass
• RIPTA: fares and passes

Published October 28, 2026. Route details were checked against the published schedules for fall 2026. Service changes, so check Cobblehop for live times before you go.