Boston Common to Arnold Arboretum
How to get from Boston Common to Arnold Arboretum on public transit, with the stops, times and the last trip of the night.
Boston Common to Arnold Arboretum
- Orange Line
- Bus 38
- Walk about 6 min to Downtown CrossingFrom Boston Common
- Take the Orange LineToward Forest Hills10 stops, about 16 min
- Change at Forest Hills
- Take bus 38Toward Wren St6 stops, about 3 min
- Get off at Centre St @ Orchard StThe stop after Centre St @ Aldworth St
- Walk about 5 min to Arnold Arboretum
Weekdays, fall 2026 schedule · First and last trips
Quick answer: Walk about 6 min to Downtown Crossing, then take the Orange Line to Forest Hills, then bus 38 to Centre St @ Orchard St, and walk about 5 min. The trip takes about 39 minutes (36-40 min depending on the connection). On weekdays bus 38 runs about every 30 min during the day.
Get the live route from Boston Common to Arnold Arboretum
Step by step
- From Boston Common, walk about 6 min to Downtown Crossing.
- At Downtown Crossing, take the Orange Line toward Forest Hills.
- Ride 10 stops, about 16 min. Get off at Forest Hills, the stop after Green Street.
- At Forest Hills, change to bus 38 toward Wren St.
- Ride 6 stops, about 3 min. Get off at Centre St @ Orchard St, the stop after Centre St @ Aldworth St.
- Walk about 5 min to Arnold Arboretum.
Times and frequency
| Day | First trip | Last trip | How often (daytime) | Trip time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday-Thursday | 5:18 am | 1:12 am | About every 30 min | About 39 min |
| Friday | 5:18 am | 2:09 am | About every 30 min | About 39 min |
| Saturday | 5:12 am | 2:02 am | About every 50 min | About 41 min |
| Sunday | 6:17 am | 1:01 am | Varies | About 39 min |
First and last trip are when the first train of the trip leaves Downtown Crossing, on the fall 2026 schedule. "How often" is for bus 38 (the least frequent part of the trip).
Late at night
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Downtown Crossing at 1:12 am and gets to Arnold Arboretum around 1:38 am, using bus 39. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 2:09 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 2:02 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 Centre St @ Aldworth St. The next stop is Centre St @ Orchard St. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- Changing at Forest Hills. You don't leave the station. Follow the signs for bus 38.
- The Arnold Arboretum's main gate and visitor center are on the Arborway in Jamaica Plain.
Step-free access
MBTA data lists every station on this route (Downtown Crossing and Forest Hills) 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.
Boston Common to Arnold Arboretum: common questions
How do I get from Boston Common to Arnold Arboretum by public transit?
Walk about 6 min to Downtown Crossing, then take the Orange Line to Forest Hills, then bus 38 to Centre St @ Orchard St, and walk about 5 min. The trip takes about 39 minutes (36-40 min depending on the connection).
How long does it take to get from Boston Common to Arnold Arboretum?
About 39 minutes on the main route, or 36-40 minutes depending on the connection.
Do I have to change along the way?
Yes, once: at Forest Hills. Walk about 6 min to Downtown Crossing, then take the Orange Line to Forest Hills, then bus 38 to Centre St @ Orchard St, and walk about 5 min.
How often does bus 38 run?
About every 30 min on weekdays during the day and about every 50 min on Saturdays, on the fall 2026 schedule.
What time is the last train from Boston Common to Arnold Arboretum?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Downtown Crossing at 1:12 am and gets to Arnold Arboretum around 1:38 am, using bus 39. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 2:09 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 2:02 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:01 am.
Related routes
- Boston Common to Jamaica Pond
- Boston Common to Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital
- South Station to Arnold Arboretum
- North Station to Arnold Arboretum
- Never miss your stop (guide)
More routes from Boston Common
- Boston Common to Samuel Adams Boston Brewery
- Boston Common to Forest Hills Cemetery
- Boston Common to Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site
- Boston Common to White Stadium
- Boston Common to Boston Nature Center
- All routes from Boston Common
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 38
- MBTA: Downtown Crossing station
- MBTA: Forest Hills 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.
Leaving now? Cobblehop gives you one clear plan with live times and alerts you before your stop. No sign-up, nothing to install.