Boston Common to Franklin Park Zoo
The T route from Boston Common to Franklin Park Zoo: where to board, where to change, where to get off and how late it runs.
Boston Common to Franklin Park Zoo
- Orange Line
- Bus 22
- Walk about 6 min to Downtown CrossingFrom Boston Common
- Take the Orange LineToward Forest Hills7 stops, about 11 min
- Change at Jackson Square
- Take bus 22Toward Ashmont9 stops, about 11 min
- Get off at Blue Hill Ave @ Franklin Park RdThe stop after Seaver St opp Maple St
Weekdays, fall 2026 schedule · First and last trips
Quick answer: Walk about 6 min to Downtown Crossing, then take the Orange Line toward Forest Hills to Jackson Square, then bus 22 to Blue Hill Ave @ Franklin Park Rd. The trip takes about 38 minutes (34-39 min depending on the connection). On weekdays bus 22 runs every 10 min during the day.
Get the live route from Boston Common to Franklin Park Zoo
Step by step
- From Boston Common, walk about 6 min to Downtown Crossing.
- At Downtown Crossing, take the Orange Line toward Forest Hills.
- Ride 7 stops, about 11 min, through Chinatown, Tufts Medical Center, Back Bay, Massachusetts Avenue, Ruggles and Roxbury Crossing, and get off at Jackson Square.
- At Jackson Square, change to bus 22 toward Ashmont.
- Ride 9 stops, about 11 min. Get off at Blue Hill Ave @ Franklin Park Rd, the stop after Seaver St opp Maple St.
Other ways to go
- Walk about 6 min to Downtown Crossing, then take the Orange Line to Forest Hills, then bus 16 to Blue Hill Ave @ Ellington St, and walk about 3 min: about 39 min.
- Walk about 6 min to Downtown Crossing, then take the Orange Line toward Forest Hills to Jackson Square, then bus 29 to Blue Hill Ave @ Franklin Park Rd: about 36 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 | 5:10 am | 1:12 am | Every 10 min | About 38 min |
| Friday | 5:10 am | 2:09 am | Every 10 min | About 38 min |
| Saturday | 5:12 am | 1:45 am | About every 15 min | About 40 min |
| Sunday | 5:38 am | 1:06 am | About every 15 min | 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 22 (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 Franklin Park Zoo around 1:51 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 1:45 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:06 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 Seaver St opp Maple St. The next stop is Blue Hill Ave @ Franklin Park Rd. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- Changing at Jackson Square. You don't leave the station. Follow the signs for bus 22.
- The zoo's main entrance is on Franklin Park Road, off Blue Hill Avenue.
Step-free access
MBTA data lists every station on this route (Downtown Crossing and Jackson Square) 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 Franklin Park Zoo: common questions
How do I get from Boston Common to Franklin Park Zoo by public transit?
Walk about 6 min to Downtown Crossing, then take the Orange Line toward Forest Hills to Jackson Square, then bus 22 to Blue Hill Ave @ Franklin Park Rd. The trip takes about 38 minutes (34-39 min depending on the connection).
How long does it take to get from Boston Common to Franklin Park Zoo?
About 38 minutes on the main route, or 34-39 minutes depending on the connection.
Do I have to change along the way?
Yes, once: at Jackson Square. Walk about 6 min to Downtown Crossing, then take the Orange Line toward Forest Hills to Jackson Square, then bus 22 to Blue Hill Ave @ Franklin Park Rd.
How often does bus 22 run?
Every 10 min on weekdays during the day, about every 15 min on Saturdays and about every 15 min on Sundays, on the fall 2026 schedule.
What time is the last train from Boston Common to Franklin Park Zoo?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Downtown Crossing at 1:12 am and gets to Franklin Park Zoo around 1:51 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 1:45 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:06 am.
Related routes
- Boston Common to White Stadium
- Boston Common to Samuel Adams Boston Brewery
- South Station to Franklin Park Zoo
- North Station to Franklin Park Zoo
- Franklin Park Zoo by T (guide)
- Never miss your stop (guide)
More routes from Boston Common
- Boston Common to Boston Nature Center
- Boston Common to Forest Hills Cemetery
- Boston Common to Roxbury Community College
- Boston Common to Reggie Lewis Center
- Boston Common to Arnold Arboretum
- 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 22
- MBTA: Downtown Crossing station
- MBTA: Jackson Square 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.