Back Bay Station to MIT
How to get from Back Bay Station to MIT on public transit, with the stops, times and the last trip of the night.
Quick answer: Take the Orange Line toward Forest Hills to Massachusetts Avenue, then bus 1 to 77 Massachusetts Ave, and walk about 3 min. The trip takes about 26 minutes (21-28 min depending on the connection). On weekdays bus 1 runs every 10 min during the day.
Get the live route from Back Bay to MIT
Step by step
- At Back Bay, take the Orange Line toward Forest Hills.
- Ride 1 stop, about 2 min to Massachusetts Avenue.
- Walk about 2 min from Massachusetts Avenue to Massachusetts Ave @ Massachusetts Ave Station.
- At Massachusetts Ave @ Massachusetts Ave Station, change to bus 1 toward Harvard.
- Ride 5 stops, about 12 min. Get off at 77 Massachusetts Ave, the stop after Massachusetts Ave @ Beacon St.
- Walk about 3 min to MIT.
Times and frequency
| Day | First trip | Last trip | How often (daytime) | Trip time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday-Thursday | 4:47 am | 1:20 am | Every 10 min | About 26 min |
| Friday | 4:47 am | 2:19 am | Every 10 min | About 26 min |
| Saturday | 4:44 am | 2:14 am | Every 9 min | About 25 min |
| Sunday | 6:05 am | 1:14 am | Every 10 min | About 24 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 1 (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 MIT around 1:29 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 Massachusetts Ave @ Beacon St. The next stop is 77 Massachusetts Ave. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- MIT's main entrance at 77 Massachusetts Avenue is on the west side of campus. Kendall/MIT station is at the east end, near the MIT Museum and Kendall Square.
- 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 Massachusetts Avenue) 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 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 MIT: common questions
How do I get from Back Bay Station to MIT by public transit?
Take the Orange Line toward Forest Hills to Massachusetts Avenue, then bus 1 to 77 Massachusetts Ave, and walk about 3 min. The trip takes about 26 minutes (21-28 min depending on the connection).
How long does it take to get from Back Bay Station to MIT?
About 26 minutes on the main route, or 21-28 minutes depending on the connection. Walking takes about 38 minutes.
Do I have to change along the way?
Yes, once: at Massachusetts Avenue. Take the Orange Line toward Forest Hills to Massachusetts Avenue, then bus 1 to 77 Massachusetts Ave, and walk about 3 min.
How often does bus 1 run?
Every 10 min on weekdays during the day, every 9 min on Saturdays and every 10 min on Sundays, on the fall 2026 schedule.
What time is the last bus from Back Bay Station to MIT?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Back Bay at 1:20 am and gets to MIT around 1:29 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 Fenway Park
- Back Bay Station to Boston University
- South Station to MIT
- North Station to MIT
- Boston to Cambridge: Harvard and MIT (guide)
- 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: bus 1
- MBTA: Back Bay station
- MBTA: Massachusetts Avenue 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.