Harvard Square to Boston Common

The T route from Harvard Square to Boston Common: where to board, where to change, where to get off and how late it runs.

By Ahmad Haji, founder of Cobblehop · October 29, 2026

Get the live route from Harvard to Boston Common

Step by step

1. At Harvard, take the Red Line toward Braintree.
2. Ride 4 stops, about 10 min, through Central, Kendall/MIT and Charles/MGH, and get off at Park Street.
3. Walk about 4 min to Boston Common. Use the 8 | Boston Common exit.

Times and frequency

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 12:50 am and gets to Boston Common around 1:24 am, using bus 1 and Green Line. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:50 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 Charles/MGH. The next stop is Park Street. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
• Park Street station is at the corner of Boston Common, by the visitor center where the Freedom Trail starts.

Step-free access

MBTA data lists every station on this route (Harvard and Park Street) 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.

Harvard Square to Boston Common: common questions

How do I get from Harvard Square to Boston Common by public transit?

Take the Red Line toward Braintree to Park Street, and walk about 4 min. The trip takes about 16 minutes.

How long does it take to get from Harvard Square to Boston Common?

About 16 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 Boston Common?

On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Harvard at 12:50 am and gets to Boston Common around 1:24 am, using bus 1 and Green Line. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:50 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:36 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:37 am.

Related routes

• Boston Common to Harvard Square
• Harvard Square to MIT
• Harvard Square to Museum of Fine Arts
• North Station to Boston Common
• 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: Harvard station
• MBTA: Park Street 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.