Back Bay Station to JFK Presidential Library
How to get from Back Bay Station to JFK Presidential Library on public transit, with the stops, times and the last trip of the night.
Quick answer: Take the Orange Line toward Oak Grove to Downtown Crossing, the Red Line toward Ashmont to JFK/UMass, then bus 8 to Mt Vernon St opp South Point Dr, and walk about 11 min. The trip takes about 45 minutes (41-47 min depending on the connection). On weekdays bus 8 runs about every 30 min during the day.
Get the live route from Back Bay to JFK Library
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 Ashmont.
- Ride 4 stops, about 8 min, through South Station, Broadway and Andrew, and get off at JFK/UMass.
- At JFK/UMass, change to bus 8 toward Harbor Point via South Bay Center.
- Ride 4 stops, about 4 min. Get off at Mt Vernon St opp South Point Dr, the stop after Mt Vernon St @ Paul A. Dever School.
- Walk about 11 min to JFK Presidential Library.
Other ways to go
- Take the Orange Line toward Oak Grove to Downtown Crossing, the Red Line toward Braintree to JFK/UMass, then bus 16 to Mt Vernon St opp South Point Dr, and walk about 11 min: about 47 min.
- Take the Providence/Stoughton Line to South Station, the Red Line toward Ashmont to JFK/UMass, then bus 16 to Mt Vernon St opp South Point Dr, and walk about 11 min: about 44 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 | 5:30 am | 12:40 am | About every 30 min | About 45 min |
| Saturday | 7:39 am | 1:03 am | About every 45 min | About 48 min |
| Sunday | 7:24 am | 12:49 am | About every 45 min | About 46 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 bus 8 (the least frequent part of the trip).
Late at night
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Back Bay at 12:40 am and gets to JFK Presidential Library around 1:08 am, using bus 8. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:03 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:49 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 Mt Vernon St @ Paul A. Dever School. The next stop is Mt Vernon St opp South Point Dr. 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 Ashmont.
- The JFK Library is on Columbia Point, next to UMass Boston. JFK/UMass is the closest station. The library has run its own free shuttle from the station, so check the library's visit page for the current schedule.
- 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 and bus. The subway is $2.40 one way, and a local bus is $1.70. Under an MBTA pilot that started September 1, 2026, you can change between bus and subway within 2 hours of your first tap and pay only the highest fare, if you use the same card or phone each time.
- 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 JFK Presidential Library: common questions
How do I get from Back Bay Station to JFK Presidential Library by public transit?
Take the Orange Line toward Oak Grove to Downtown Crossing, the Red Line toward Ashmont to JFK/UMass, then bus 8 to Mt Vernon St opp South Point Dr, and walk about 11 min. The trip takes about 45 minutes (41-47 min depending on the connection).
How long does it take to get from Back Bay Station to JFK Presidential Library?
About 45 minutes on the main route, or 41-47 minutes depending on the connection.
Do I have to change along the way?
Yes, 2 times: at Downtown Crossing and JFK/UMass. Take the Orange Line toward Oak Grove to Downtown Crossing, the Red Line toward Ashmont to JFK/UMass, then bus 8 to Mt Vernon St opp South Point Dr, and walk about 11 min.
How often does bus 8 run?
About every 30 min on weekdays during the day, about every 45 min on Saturdays and about every 45 min on Sundays, on the fall 2026 schedule.
What time is the last train from Back Bay Station to JFK Presidential Library?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Back Bay at 12:40 am and gets to JFK Presidential Library around 1:08 am, using bus 8. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:03 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:49 am.
Related routes
- Back Bay Station to New England Aquarium
- Back Bay Station to the North End
- South Station to JFK Presidential Library
- Back Bay Station to Logan Airport
- 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: Red Line
- MBTA: bus 8
- MBTA: Back Bay station
- MBTA: Downtown Crossing station
- MBTA: JFK/UMass 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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