Back Bay Station to Boston University

Plain directions from Back Bay Station to Boston University, checked against the fall 2026 MBTA schedule.

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

Get the live route from Back Bay to BU

Step by step

1. At Back Bay, take the Framingham/Worcester Line toward Worcester.
2. Ride about 5 min to Lansdowne, without stopping.
3. Walk about 15 min to Boston University.

Times and frequency

First and last trip are when the first train of the trip leaves Back Bay, on the fall 2026 schedule. "How often" is for Framingham/Worcester Line trains.

Late at night

On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Back Bay at 1:10 am and gets to Boston University around 1:24 am, using Green Line. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 2:13 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 2:07 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:07 am. Late at night, ask Cobblehop for the last trip. It checks live times and tells you when to leave.

Tips for this trip

• Inbound or outbound. Commuter Rail trains toward Boston are called inbound and trains leaving Boston are outbound. This trip is outbound: look for Worcester on the departure board, and find the track number there a few minutes before the train leaves.
• BU stretches along Commonwealth Avenue, and the Green Line B branch runs down the middle of the avenue through campus.
• Back Bay station has the Orange Line, Commuter Rail and Amtrak under one roof. It connects to Copley Place by an indoor passage.

Step-free access

MBTA data lists every station on this route (Back Bay and Lansdowne) as accessible. Back Bay has 4 elevators in MBTA data. Elevators do break, so check the MBTA's elevator alerts before you go.

What it costs

• Commuter Rail. Back Bay to Lansdowne is a Zone 1A fare, $2.40 one way. On Saturdays and Sundays, a $10.00 weekend pass covers unlimited Commuter Rail rides.
• Buying a train ticket. Tap-to-pay doesn't work on the Commuter Rail. 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.
• Kids. Children 11 and under ride the MBTA free.

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

Back Bay Station to Boston University: common questions

How do I get from Back Bay Station to Boston University by public transit?

Take the Framingham/Worcester Line toward Worcester to Lansdowne, and walk about 15 min. The trip takes about 20 minutes.

How long does it take to get from Back Bay Station to Boston University?

About 20 minutes on the main route. Walking takes about 41 minutes.

Do I have to change trains?

No. The Framingham/Worcester Line goes all the way, so it's one ride.

How often do Framingham/Worcester Line trains run?

About every 35 min on weekdays during the day, about every 2 hours on Saturdays and about every 2 hours on Sundays, on the fall 2026 schedule.

What time is the last train from Back Bay Station to Boston University?

On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Back Bay at 1:10 am and gets to Boston University around 1:24 am, using Green Line. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 2:13 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 2:07 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:07 am.

Related routes

• Back Bay Station to Fenway Park
• Back Bay Station to Longwood Medical Area
• South Station to Boston University
• North Station to Boston University
• Never miss your stop (guide)

Official sources

Cobblehop is independent and isn't affiliated with these agencies or operators. Schedules on this page come from MBTA/MassDOT public data. Check their pages for the latest schedules and service changes:

• MBTA: Framingham/Worcester Line timetable
• MBTA: Back Bay station
• MBTA: Lansdowne station
• MBTA: fares
• MBTA: Commuter Rail fare zones
• MBTA: elevator and accessibility alerts

Published October 29, 2026. Times were computed from the fall 2026 MBTA schedule (2026-11-04 for weekdays). Service changes, so check Cobblehop for live times before you go.