Boston Common to Harvard Square
Plain directions from Boston Common to Harvard Square, checked against the fall 2026 MBTA schedule.
Quick answer: Walk about 4 min to Park Street, then take the Red Line toward Alewife to Harvard. The trip takes about 17 minutes. On weekdays the Red Line runs every 5 min during the day.
Get the live route from Boston Common to Harvard
Step by step
- From Boston Common, walk about 4 min to Park Street.
- At Park Street, take the Red Line toward Alewife.
- Ride 4 stops, about 10 min, through 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 | 5:09 am | 1:05 am | Every 5 min | About 17 min |
| Friday | 5:09 am | 2:07 am | Every 5 min | About 17 min |
| Saturday | 5:15 am | 2:01 am | Every 6 min | About 17 min |
| Sunday | 5:51 am | 1:00 am | Every 6 min | About 17 min |
First and last trip are when the first train of the trip leaves Park Street, on the fall 2026 schedule. "How often" is for the Red Line.
Late at night
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Park Street at 1:05 am and gets to Harvard Square around 1:38 am, using Green Line and bus 1. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 2:07 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 2:01 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:00 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.
- Harvard station opens right into Harvard Square. Harvard Yard is across Massachusetts Avenue from the main entrance.
Step-free access
MBTA data lists every station on this route (Park Street and Harvard) as accessible. Park Street 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.
- 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 Harvard Square: common questions
How do I get from Boston Common to Harvard Square by public transit?
Walk about 4 min to Park Street, then take the Red Line toward Alewife to Harvard. The trip takes about 17 minutes.
How long does it take to get from Boston Common to Harvard Square?
About 17 minutes on the main route.
Do I have to change trains?
No. The Red Line goes all the way, so it's one ride.
How often does the Red Line run?
Every 5 min on weekdays during the day, every 6 min on Saturdays and every 6 min on Sundays, on the fall 2026 schedule.
What time is the last train from Boston Common to Harvard Square?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Park Street at 1:05 am and gets to Harvard Square around 1:38 am, using Green Line and bus 1. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 2:07 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 2:01 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:00 am.
Related routes
- Harvard Square to Boston Common
- Boston Common to Fenway Park
- Boston Common to Museum of Fine Arts
- South Station to Harvard Square
- 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: Red Line
- MBTA: Park Street 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.