Back Bay Station to Brandeis University
The train route from Back Bay Station to Brandeis University: where to board, where to change, where to get off and how late it runs.
Back Bay Station to Brandeis University
- Orange Line
- Fitchburg Line
- Take the Orange LineFrom Back Bay, toward Oak Grove6 stops, about 8 min
- Change at North Station
- Take the Fitchburg LineToward Littleton/Route 4955 stops, about 25 min
- Get off at Brandeis/Roberts
- Walk about 7 min to Brandeis University
Weekdays, fall 2026 schedule · First and last trips
Quick answer: Take the Orange Line toward Oak Grove to North Station, then the Fitchburg Line toward Littleton/Route 495 to Brandeis/Roberts, and walk about 7 min. The trip takes about 53 minutes (50-55 min depending on the connection). On weekdays Fitchburg Line trains run about once an hour during the day.
Get the live route from Back Bay to Brandeis
Step by step
- At Back Bay, take the Orange Line toward Oak Grove.
- Ride 6 stops, about 8 min, through Tufts Medical Center, Chinatown, Downtown Crossing, State and Haymarket, and get off at North Station.
- At North Station, change to the Fitchburg Line toward Littleton/Route 495.
- Ride about 25 min to Brandeis/Roberts, with 4 stops on the way.
- Walk about 7 min to Brandeis University.
Other ways to go
- Take bus 504 to Washington St @ Bacon St, then bus 553 to South St @ Brandeis University, and walk about 3 min: about 61 min.
- Take bus 501 to Washington St @ Bacon St, then bus 553 to South St @ Brandeis University, and walk about 3 min: about 56 min.
Which one is faster depends on when you leave. Cobblehop compares them with live times and gives you the one that gets you there first.
Times and frequency
| Day | First trip | Last trip | How often (daytime) | Trip time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday-Friday | 5:05 am | 11:27 pm | About once an hour | About 53 min |
| Saturday | 6:21 am | 11:22 pm | About every 2 hours | About 54 min |
| Sunday | 7:25 am | 11:19 pm | About every 2 hours | About 52 min |
First and last trip are when the first train of the trip leaves Back Bay, on the fall 2026 schedule. "How often" is for Fitchburg Line trains (the least frequent part of the trip).
Late at night
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Back Bay at 11:27 pm and gets to Brandeis University around 12:22 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 11:22 pm, and on Sunday nights at 11:19 pm. 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 Littleton/Route 495 on the departure board, and find the track number there a few minutes before the train leaves.
- Changing at North Station. You don't leave the station. Follow the signs for Fitchburg Line.
- Brandeis has its own Commuter Rail stop, Brandeis/Roberts, at the foot of 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, North Station and Brandeis/Roberts) as accessible. North Station has 6 elevators in MBTA data. Elevators do break, so check the MBTA's elevator alerts before you go.
What it costs
- Subway. $2.40 one way.
- How to pay. Tap a contactless credit or debit card, phone or watch at the fare gate or bus door, or use a CharlieCard or CharlieTicket.
- Commuter Rail. North Station to Brandeis/Roberts is a Zone 2 fare, $7.00 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. A Commuter Rail ticket doesn't cover the subway part of the trip.
- 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 Brandeis University: common questions
How do I get from Back Bay Station to Brandeis University by public transit?
Take the Orange Line toward Oak Grove to North Station, then the Fitchburg Line toward Littleton/Route 495 to Brandeis/Roberts, and walk about 7 min. The trip takes about 53 minutes (50-55 min depending on the connection).
How long does it take to get from Back Bay Station to Brandeis University?
About 53 minutes on the main route, or 50-55 minutes depending on the connection.
Do I have to change along the way?
Yes, once: at North Station. Take the Orange Line toward Oak Grove to North Station, then the Fitchburg Line toward Littleton/Route 495 to Brandeis/Roberts, and walk about 7 min.
How often do Fitchburg Line trains run?
About once an hour 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 Brandeis University?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Back Bay at 11:27 pm and gets to Brandeis University around 12:22 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 11:22 pm, and on Sunday nights at 11:19 pm.
Related routes
- Back Bay Station to Minute Man Visitor Center
- Back Bay Station to Wellesley College
- Boston Common to Brandeis University
- South Station to Brandeis University
- Never miss your stop (guide)
More routes from Back Bay Station
- Back Bay Station to Arsenal Yards
- Back Bay Station to St. Elizabeth's Medical Center
- Back Bay Station to Mount Auburn Cemetery
- Back Bay Station to Roadrunner
- Back Bay Station to Fresh Pond Reservation
- All routes from Back Bay Station
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: Orange Line
- MBTA: Fitchburg Line timetable
- MBTA: Back Bay station
- MBTA: North Station station
- MBTA: Brandeis/Roberts station
- MBTA: fares
- MBTA: Commuter Rail fare zones
- MBTA: elevator and accessibility alerts
Published October 30, 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.
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