Harvard Square to Arsenal Yards
Plain directions from Harvard Square to Arsenal Yards, checked against the fall 2026 MBTA schedule.
Harvard Square to Arsenal Yards
- Bus 86
- Bus 70
- Walk about 4 min to Eliot St @ Bennett StFrom Harvard Square
- Take bus 86Toward Reservoir4 stops, about 5 min
- Change at Western Ave opp Riverdale St
- Take bus 70Toward Market Place Dr5 stops, about 6 min
- Get off at Arsenal St @ Arlington StThe stop after 495 Western Ave
- Walk about 5 min to Arsenal Yards
Weekdays, fall 2026 schedule · First and last trips
Quick answer: Walk about 4 min to Eliot St @ Bennett St, then take bus 86 to Western Ave opp Riverdale St, then bus 70 to Arsenal St @ Arlington St, and walk about 5 min. The trip takes about 26 minutes (23-30 min depending on the connection). On weekdays bus 86 runs about every 15 min during the day.
Get the live route from Harvard to Arsenal Yards
Step by step
- From Harvard Square, walk about 4 min to Eliot St @ Bennett St.
- At Eliot St @ Bennett St, take bus 86 toward Reservoir.
- Ride 4 stops, about 5 min. Get off at Western Ave opp Riverdale St, the stop after N Harvard St @ S Campus Dr.
- At Western Ave opp Riverdale St, change to bus 70 toward Market Place Dr.
- Ride 5 stops, about 6 min. Get off at Arsenal St @ Arlington St, the stop after 495 Western Ave.
- Walk about 5 min to Arsenal Yards.
Other ways to go
- Walk about 4 min to Eliot St @ Bennett St, then take bus 66 to N Harvard St @ S Campus Dr, then bus 70 to Arsenal St @ Arlington St, and walk about 5 min: about 30 min.
- Take the Red Line toward Ashmont to Central, then bus 70 to Arsenal St @ Arlington St, and walk about 5 min: about 32 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-Friday | 4:28 am | 1:12 am | About every 15 min | About 26 min |
| Saturday | 4:46 am | 1:17 am | About every 25 min | About 30 min |
| Sunday | 6:04 am | 1:17 am | About every 25 min | About 28 min |
First and last trip are when the first bus of the trip leaves Eliot St @ Bennett St, on the fall 2026 schedule. "How often" is for bus 86 (the least frequent part of the trip).
Late at night
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Eliot St @ Bennett St at 1:12 am and gets to Arsenal Yards around 1:24 am, using bus 70. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:17 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:17 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 495 Western Ave. The next stop is Arsenal St @ Arlington St. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- Arsenal Yards is on Arsenal Street in Watertown.
What it costs
- Bus. $1.70 one way, like any local bus.
- 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.
Harvard Square to Arsenal Yards: common questions
How do I get from Harvard Square to Arsenal Yards by public transit?
Walk about 4 min to Eliot St @ Bennett St, then take bus 86 to Western Ave opp Riverdale St, then bus 70 to Arsenal St @ Arlington St, and walk about 5 min. The trip takes about 26 minutes (23-30 min depending on the connection).
How long does it take to get from Harvard Square to Arsenal Yards?
About 26 minutes on the main route, or 23-30 minutes depending on the connection.
Do I have to change along the way?
Yes, once: at Western Ave opp Riverdale St. Walk about 4 min to Eliot St @ Bennett St, then take bus 86 to Western Ave opp Riverdale St, then bus 70 to Arsenal St @ Arlington St, and walk about 5 min.
How often does bus 86 run?
About every 15 min on weekdays during the day, about every 25 min on Saturdays and about every 25 min on Sundays, on the fall 2026 schedule.
What time is the last bus from Harvard Square to Arsenal Yards?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Eliot St @ Bennett St at 1:12 am and gets to Arsenal Yards around 1:24 am, using bus 70. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:17 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:17 am.
Related routes
- Harvard Square to Roadrunner
- Harvard Square to Mount Auburn Cemetery
- Back Bay Station to Arsenal Yards
- Boston Common to Arsenal Yards
- Boston to Cambridge: Harvard and MIT (guide)
- Never miss your stop (guide)
More routes from Harvard Square
- Harvard Square to St. Elizabeth's Medical Center
- Harvard Square to Fresh Pond Reservation
- Harvard Square to JFK Birthplace
- Harvard Square to Agganis Arena
- Harvard Square to Coolidge Corner, Brookline
- All routes from Harvard Square
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:
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.
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