Back Bay Station to Carson Beach
The T route from Back Bay Station to Carson Beach: where to board, where to change, where to get off and how late it runs.
Back Bay Station to Carson Beach
- Orange Line
- Red Line
- Take the Orange LineFrom Back Bay, toward Oak Grove3 stops, about 4 min
- Change at Downtown Crossing
- Take the Red LineToward Braintree4 stops, about 8 min
- Get off at JFK/UMassThe stop after Andrew
- Walk about 16 min to Carson BeachUse the Columbia Rd exit
Weekdays, fall 2026 schedule · First and last trips
Quick answer: Take the Orange Line toward Oak Grove to Downtown Crossing, then the Red Line toward Braintree to JFK/UMass, and walk about 16 min. The trip takes about 36 minutes (33-37 min depending on the connection). On weekdays the Orange Line runs every 5 min during the day.
Get the live route from Back Bay to Carson Beach
Step by step
- At Back Bay, take the Orange Line toward Oak Grove.
- Ride 3 stops, about 4 min, through Tufts Medical Center and Chinatown, and get off at Downtown Crossing.
- At Downtown Crossing, change to the Red Line toward Braintree.
- Ride 4 stops, about 8 min, through South Station, Broadway and Andrew, and get off at JFK/UMass.
- Walk about 16 min to Carson Beach. Use the Columbia Rd exit.
Other ways to go
- Take bus 10 to Dorchester St @ E 8th St, and walk about 10 min: about 41 min.
- Take the Providence/Stoughton Line to South Station, then the Red Line toward Braintree to JFK/UMass, and walk about 16 min: about 32 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 | 5:30 am | 1:18 am | Every 5 min | About 36 min |
| Friday | 5:30 am | 1:36 am | Every 5 min | About 36 min |
| Saturday | 5:21 am | 1:09 am | Every 7 min | About 35 min |
| Sunday | 6:11 am | 1:01 am | Every 8 min | About 35 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 (the least frequent part of the trip).
Late at night
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Back Bay at 1:18 am and gets to Carson Beach around 1:43 am, using bus 10. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:36 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:09 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:01 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 Andrew. The next stop is JFK/UMass. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- Changing at Downtown Crossing. You don't leave the station. Follow the signs for Red Line toward Braintree.
- Carson Beach runs along Day Boulevard in South Boston, near JFK/UMass 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, Downtown Crossing and JFK/UMass) as accessible. Downtown Crossing 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. Changing between subway lines is free.
- 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 Carson Beach: common questions
How do I get from Back Bay Station to Carson Beach by public transit?
Take the Orange Line toward Oak Grove to Downtown Crossing, then the Red Line toward Braintree to JFK/UMass, and walk about 16 min. The trip takes about 36 minutes (33-37 min depending on the connection).
How long does it take to get from Back Bay Station to Carson Beach?
About 36 minutes on the main route, or 33-37 minutes depending on the connection.
Do I have to change along the way?
Yes, once: at Downtown Crossing. Take the Orange Line toward Oak Grove to Downtown Crossing, then the Red Line toward Braintree to JFK/UMass, and walk about 16 min.
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 Carson Beach?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Back Bay at 1:18 am and gets to Carson Beach around 1:43 am, using bus 10. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:36 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:09 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:01 am.
Related routes
- Back Bay Station to L Street Beach
- Back Bay Station to UMass Boston
- Boston Common to Carson Beach
- Kendall Square to Carson Beach
- Never miss your stop (guide)
More routes from Back Bay Station
- Back Bay Station to JFK Presidential Library
- Back Bay Station to Boston Convention and Exhibition Center
- Back Bay Station to Seaport World Trade Center
- Back Bay Station to Leader Bank Pavilion
- Back Bay Station to Boston Children's Museum
- 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: Red Line
- MBTA: Back Bay station
- MBTA: Downtown Crossing station
- MBTA: JFK/UMass station
- MBTA: fares
- 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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