Boston Common to Museum of Fine Arts
How to get from Boston Common to Museum of Fine Arts on public transit, with the stops, times and the last trip of the night.
Quick answer: Walk about 6 min to Downtown Crossing, then take the Orange Line toward Forest Hills to Ruggles, and walk about 10 min. The trip takes about 23 minutes. On weekdays the Orange Line runs every 5 min during the day.
Get the live route from Boston Common to the MFA
Step by step
- From Boston Common, walk about 6 min to Downtown Crossing.
- At Downtown Crossing, take the Orange Line toward Forest Hills.
- Ride 5 stops, about 7 min, through Chinatown, Tufts Medical Center, Back Bay and Massachusetts Avenue, and get off at Ruggles.
- Walk about 10 min to Museum of Fine Arts. Use the Northeastern, Forsyth St exit.
Other ways to go
- Walk about 3 min to Park Street, then take the Green Line toward Heath Street to Museum of Fine Arts, and walk about 3 min: about 23 min.
- Walk about 13 min to Saint James Ave @ Berkeley St, then take bus 39 to Huntington Ave @ Forsyth Way: about 23 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 | 5:07 am | 1:12 am | Every 5 min | About 23 min |
| Friday | 5:07 am | 2:09 am | Every 5 min | About 23 min |
| Saturday | 5:12 am | 2:02 am | Every 7 min | About 23 min |
| Sunday | 5:38 am | 1:06 am | Every 8 min | About 23 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 the Orange Line.
Late at night
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Downtown Crossing at 1:12 am and gets to Museum of Fine Arts around 1:19 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 1:06 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 Massachusetts Avenue. The next stop is Ruggles. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- The MFA is on Huntington Avenue. The Green Line E branch stops at Museum of Fine Arts station, right in front of the museum.
Step-free access
MBTA data lists every station on this route (Downtown Crossing and Ruggles) 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. $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 Museum of Fine Arts: common questions
How do I get from Boston Common to Museum of Fine Arts by public transit?
Walk about 6 min to Downtown Crossing, then take the Orange Line toward Forest Hills to Ruggles, and walk about 10 min. The trip takes about 23 minutes.
How long does it take to get from Boston Common to Museum of Fine Arts?
About 23 minutes on the main route. Walking takes about 44 minutes.
Do I have to change trains?
No. The Orange Line goes all the way, so it's one ride.
How often does the Orange Line run?
Every 5 min on weekdays during the day, every 7 min on Saturdays and every 8 min on Sundays, on the fall 2026 schedule.
What time is the last train from Boston Common to Museum of Fine Arts?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Downtown Crossing at 1:12 am and gets to Museum of Fine Arts around 1:19 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 1:06 am.
Related routes
- Boston Common to Fenway Park
- Boston Common to Harvard Square
- South Station to Museum of Fine Arts
- North Station to Museum of Fine Arts
- 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: Downtown Crossing station
- MBTA: Ruggles 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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