Harvard Square to Beacon Hill (Charles Street)
Plain directions from Harvard Square to Beacon Hill (Charles Street), checked against the fall 2026 MBTA schedule.
Harvard Square to Beacon Hill (Charles Street)
- Red Line
- Take the Red LineFrom Harvard, toward Braintree3 stops, about 8 min
- Get off at Charles/MGHThe stop after Kendall/MIT
- Walk about 7 min to Beacon Hill (Charles Street)
Weekdays, fall 2026 schedule · First and last trips
Quick answer: Take the Red Line toward Braintree to Charles/MGH, and walk about 7 min. The trip takes about 17 minutes. On weekdays the Red Line runs every 5 min during the day.
Get the live route from Harvard to Beacon Hill
Step by step
- At Harvard, take the Red Line toward Braintree.
- Ride 3 stops, about 8 min, through Central and Kendall/MIT, and get off at Charles/MGH.
- Walk about 7 min to Beacon Hill (Charles Street).
Times and frequency
| Day | First trip | Last trip | How often (daytime) | Trip time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday-Thursday | 5:21 am | 12:37 am | Every 5 min | About 17 min |
| Friday | 5:21 am | 1:36 am | Every 5 min | About 17 min |
| Saturday | 5:22 am | 1:36 am | Every 6 min | About 17 min |
| Sunday | 6:07 am | 12:37 am | Every 6 min | About 17 min |
First and last trip are when the first train of the trip leaves Harvard, on the fall 2026 schedule. "How often" is for the Red Line.
Late at night
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Harvard at 12:37 am and gets to Beacon Hill (Charles Street) around 12:51 am. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:36 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:36 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:37 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 Kendall/MIT. The next stop is Charles/MGH. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- Charles Street is Beacon Hill's main shopping street. Charles/MGH station is at its north end.
Step-free access
MBTA data lists every station on this route (Harvard and Charles/MGH) as accessible. Harvard has 2 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.
Harvard Square to Beacon Hill (Charles Street): common questions
How do I get from Harvard Square to Beacon Hill (Charles Street) by public transit?
Take the Red Line toward Braintree to Charles/MGH, and walk about 7 min. The trip takes about 17 minutes.
How long does it take to get from Harvard Square to Beacon Hill (Charles Street)?
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 Harvard Square to Beacon Hill (Charles Street)?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Harvard at 12:37 am and gets to Beacon Hill (Charles Street) around 12:51 am. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:36 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:36 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:37 am.
Related routes
- Harvard Square to Hatch Shell
- Harvard Square to Boston Public Garden
- North Station to Beacon Hill (Charles Street)
- South Station to Beacon Hill (Charles Street)
- Boston to Cambridge: Harvard and MIT (guide)
- Never miss your stop (guide)
More routes from Harvard Square
- Harvard Square to Massachusetts General Hospital
- Harvard Square to Museum of African American History
- Harvard Square to Boston Common
- Harvard Square to Citizens Bank Opera House
- Harvard Square to Wang Theatre
- 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:
- MBTA: Red Line
- MBTA: Harvard station
- MBTA: Charles/MGH 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.