Back Bay Station to Harvard Square
Plain directions from Back Bay Station to Harvard Square, checked against the fall 2026 MBTA schedule.
Back Bay Station to Harvard Square
- 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 Alewife5 stops, about 12 min
- Get off at HarvardThe stop after Central
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 Alewife to Harvard. The trip takes about 25 minutes (23-28 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 Harvard
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 Alewife.
- Ride 5 stops, about 12 min, through Park Street, Charles/MGH, Kendall/MIT and Central, and get off at Harvard.
Times and frequency
| Day | First trip | Last trip | How often (daytime) | Trip time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday-Thursday | 4:47 am | 1:20 am | Every 5 min | About 25 min |
| Friday | 4:47 am | 2:19 am | Every 5 min | About 25 min |
| Saturday | 4:44 am | 2:14 am | Every 7 min | About 24 min |
| Sunday | 6:05 am | 1:14 am | Every 8 min | About 25 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 1:20 am and gets to Harvard Square around 1:38 am, using bus 1. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 2:19 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 2:14 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:14 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 Central. The next stop is Harvard. 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 Alewife.
- Harvard station opens right into Harvard Square. Harvard Yard is across Massachusetts Avenue from the main entrance.
- 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 Harvard) 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 Harvard Square: common questions
How do I get from Back Bay Station to Harvard Square by public transit?
Take the Orange Line toward Oak Grove to Downtown Crossing, then the Red Line toward Alewife to Harvard. The trip takes about 25 minutes (23-28 min depending on the connection).
How long does it take to get from Back Bay Station to Harvard Square?
About 25 minutes on the main route, or 23-28 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 Alewife to Harvard.
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 Harvard Square?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Back Bay at 1:20 am and gets to Harvard Square around 1:38 am, using bus 1. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 2:19 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 2:14 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:14 am.
Related routes
- Back Bay Station to Boston University
- Back Bay Station to MIT
- Copley Square to Harvard Square
- Boston Common to Harvard Square
- Boston to Cambridge: Harvard and MIT (guide)
- Never miss your stop (guide)
More routes from Back Bay Station
- Back Bay Station to Fenway Park
- Back Bay Station to Longwood Medical Area
- Back Bay Station to Museum of Fine Arts
- Back Bay Station to CambridgeSide
- Back Bay Station to Northeastern University
- 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: Harvard 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.
Leaving now? Cobblehop gives you one clear plan with live times and alerts you before your stop. Try it free, no sign-up, nothing to install.