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Boston to Salem by train

The Commuter Rail from North Station is the easiest way to Salem. Here is which train to take, how long it takes and how to get back.

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

Quick answer: Take the Newburyport/Rockport Line from North Station to Salem. The ride takes about 31-37 minutes. Trains leave about every 30-60 minutes on weekdays and about every hour on most weekends, and the last train back to Boston leaves Salem a little after 11 pm.

Halloween weekend 2026: October 31 and November 1

Per the MBTA, a special Halloween weekend schedule (PDF) is in effect on the Newburyport/Rockport Line on October 31 and November 1, 2026 only. On Halloween, Saturday, October 31:

The first train to Salem leaves North Station at 6:30 am, and the last one leaves at 11:50 pm.
The last train back to Boston leaves Salem at 11:14 pm. The train before it leaves at 9:49 pm.
Per the MBTA, bikes and scooters are not allowed on Newburyport/Rockport Line trains all weekend, October 31 to November 1.
Per the MBTA, cars can't enter or leave the Salem station parking garage from 6 pm to 11:30 pm, and the Salem Depot busway closes at 6 pm. The City of Salem's notice gives 6 pm to 1 am for the garage closure.
Per the City of Salem, downtown streets close to all traffic no later than noon.

For bus detours, the station elevator and the drone show street closures, see Getting around Salem on Halloween.

Step by step: North Station to Salem

Get to North Station. The Orange Line and the Green Line both stop there.
Find your train. Look for a Newburyport/Rockport Line train. Trains to Newburyport, Rockport and Beverly all stop at Salem. The track is posted on the station boards shortly before departure, and Cobblehop shows it once it's posted.
Ride about 31-37 minutes. Most trains stop at Chelsea, Lynn and Swampscott on the way. Some also stop at River Works.
Get to the door after Swampscott. Salem is the next stop.
Walk into town. From Salem station, the Essex Street area is about 5-10 minutes on foot. The Peabody Essex Museum and the Salem Witch Museum are about 10-12 minutes away, and the House of the Seven Gables about 20 minutes.

How often Salem trains run

Day	Trains each way	Usual gap	Ride
Weekdays	About 29	30 min most of the day, up to 60 min at midday, 35-50 min in the evening	About 32-35 min
Weekends in November and December	About 18	About 60 min, up to 80 min late in the evening	About 33-34 min
Weekends in late October	About 24-25	About 20-55 min	About 31-39 min

The first trains leave North Station around 6:30 am, and the last one leaves around 11:50 pm. Going back, the last train from Salem to North Station leaves a little after 11 pm every day on the fall 2026 schedule.

Other ways to get to Salem

Bus. MBTA buses 450 and 455 link Salem with Wonderland station on the Blue Line. They are much slower, about 40-85 minutes to Wonderland, so think of them as a backup.
Ferry. A ferry also runs between Boston and Salem. It is seasonal, so check Cobblehop or the Salem Ferry for what's running on your date.

What it costs

Train. Salem is in Zone 3, so a one-way ticket between North Station and Salem is $8. A round trip is two one-way tickets, $16.
Weekends. On Saturdays and Sundays, a $10 weekend pass covers unlimited Commuter Rail rides, so it costs less than a round trip. Buy it on the mTicket app, at a North Station ticket window or from the conductor. Fare machines don't sell it.
How to pay. Use the mTicket app, a fare machine or ticket window at North Station, or pay the conductor in cash or by card. Paying on board can add a $3 fee when you board at a station that sells tickets, like North Station. Tap-to-pay doesn't work on the Commuter Rail.
Kids and reduced fares. Children 11 and under ride free. Riders who qualify for MBTA reduced fares, such as people 65 and older, pay $4 one way.
Bus and ferry. MBTA buses 450 and 455 cost $1.70. The Salem Ferry is run by City Cruises, not the MBTA. Its tickets start at $44, with fees and taxes included, and its 2026 season ends October 31.

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

Tips for a day trip to Salem

Check the time of the last train back before you sit down for dinner. Ask Cobblehop for the "last train to Boston".
Late in the evening, trains back to Boston can be an hour or more apart, so missing one can mean a long wait.
Salem, New Hampshire is a different town. The Boston Express coach goes there, not to Salem, Massachusetts. Make sure your card ends at Salem station.
Visiting in October? Read our Salem in October guide first.

What can go wrong on the Salem train

Delays and cancellations. Cobblehop uses live MBTA predictions. If a train on your route is canceled, the card tells you, and you can pick another time.
Track changes. At North Station, keep an eye on the boards until you're on the train.
Crowds. Weekend trains, and October trains especially, can be full. Get to the platform a few minutes early.

Boston to Salem train: common questions

How long is the train from Boston to Salem?

About 31-37 minutes on the Newburyport/Rockport Line from North Station. Most trains stop at Chelsea, Lynn and Swampscott on the way, and Salem is the stop after Swampscott.

Which Boston station does the Salem train leave from?

North Station, which is on the Orange Line and the Green Line. Trains to Newburyport, Rockport and Beverly all stop at Salem.

When is the last train from Salem to Boston?

On the fall 2026 schedule, the last train from Salem to North Station leaves a little after 11 pm. Per the MBTA's Halloween weekend schedule, the last train from Salem to North Station on Saturday, October 31, 2026 leaves at 11:14 pm and arrives at 11:53 pm. The train before it leaves Salem at 9:49 pm, so don't count on a later option.

Can I bring a bike on the train to Salem on Halloween weekend?

No. Per the MBTA, bikes and scooters are not allowed on any Newburyport/Rockport Line trains on the weekend of October 31 to November 1, 2026, because of heavy Haunted Happenings ridership.

Is there a bus from Boston to Salem?

MBTA buses 450 and 455 link Salem with Wonderland station on the Blue Line. They take about 40-85 minutes to Wonderland, much longer than the train, so use them as a backup.

How much is the train from Boston to Salem?

$8 one way between North Station and Salem, or $16 for a round trip. On Saturdays and Sundays, a $10 weekend pass covers unlimited Commuter Rail rides. Children 11 and under ride free.

Official sources

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

Published October 28, 2026. Route details were checked against the published schedules for fall 2026. Halloween details were checked on the MBTA and City of Salem websites on October 28, 2026. Service changes, so check Cobblehop for live times before you go.

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