Back Bay Station to CambridgeSide
How to get from Back Bay Station to CambridgeSide on public transit, with the stops, times and the last trip of the night.
Quick answer: Take the Orange Line toward Oak Grove to Community College, and walk about 16 min. The trip takes about 26 minutes. On weekdays the Orange Line runs every 5 min during the day.
Get the live route from Back Bay to CambridgeSide
Step by step
- At Back Bay, take the Orange Line toward Oak Grove.
- Ride 7 stops, about 10 min, through Tufts Medical Center, Chinatown, Downtown Crossing, State, Haymarket and North Station, and get off at Community College.
- Walk about 16 min to CambridgeSide.
Other ways to go
- Take the Orange Line toward Oak Grove to North Station, then the Green Line toward Medford/Tufts to Lechmere, and walk about 8 min: about 28 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-Thursday | 5:05 am | 1:14 am | Every 5 min | About 26 min |
| Friday | 5:05 am | 2:12 am | Every 5 min | About 26 min |
| Saturday | 5:26 am | 2:08 am | Every 7 min | About 26 min |
| Sunday | 5:59 am | 1:10 am | Every 8 min | About 26 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 the Orange Line.
Late at night
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Back Bay at 1:14 am and gets to CambridgeSide around 1:40 am, using Green Line. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 2:12 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 2:08 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:10 am. Late at night, ask Cobblehop for the last trip. It checks live times and tells you when to leave.
Tips for this trip
- Know your stop. Get to the door after North Station. The next stop is Community College. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- CambridgeSide, the shopping mall on First Street in East Cambridge, is a short walk from Lechmere station.
- 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 Community College) 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
- 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.
- 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 CambridgeSide: common questions
How do I get from Back Bay Station to CambridgeSide by public transit?
Take the Orange Line toward Oak Grove to Community College, and walk about 16 min. The trip takes about 26 minutes.
How long does it take to get from Back Bay Station to CambridgeSide?
About 26 minutes on the main route.
Do I have to change trains?
No. The Orange Line goes all the way, so it's one ride.
How often does the Orange Line run?
Every 5 min on weekdays during the day, every 7 min on Saturdays and every 8 min on Sundays, on the fall 2026 schedule.
What time is the last train from Back Bay Station to CambridgeSide?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Back Bay at 1:14 am and gets to CambridgeSide around 1:40 am, using Green Line. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 2:12 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 2:08 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:10 am.
Related routes
- Back Bay Station to TD Garden
- Back Bay Station to North Station
- South Station to CambridgeSide
- North Station to CambridgeSide
- 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: Orange Line
- MBTA: Back Bay station
- MBTA: Community College station
- MBTA: fares
- 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.
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