Harvard Square to Brandeis University
The train route from Harvard Square to Brandeis University: where to board, where to change, where to get off and how late it runs.
Harvard Square to Brandeis University
- Red Line
- Fitchburg Line
- Take the Red LineFrom Harvard, toward Alewife1 stop, about 3 min
- Change at Porter
- Take the Fitchburg LineToward Wachusett4 stops, about 15 min
- Get off at Brandeis/Roberts
- Walk about 7 min to Brandeis University
Weekdays, fall 2026 schedule · First and last trips
Quick answer: Take the Red Line toward Alewife to Porter, then the Fitchburg Line toward Wachusett to Brandeis/Roberts, and walk about 7 min. The trip takes about 36 minutes. On weekdays Fitchburg Line trains run about once an hour during the day.
Get the live route from Harvard to Brandeis
Step by step
- At Harvard, take the Red Line toward Alewife.
- Ride 1 stop, about 3 min to Porter.
- At Porter, change to the Fitchburg Line toward Wachusett.
- Ride about 15 min to Brandeis/Roberts, with 3 stops on the way.
- Walk about 7 min to Brandeis University.
Times and frequency
| Day | First trip | Last trip | How often (daytime) | Trip time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday-Friday | 5:06 am | 11:49 pm | About once an hour | About 36 min |
| Saturday | 6:34 am | 11:35 pm | About every 2 hours | About 36 min |
| Sunday | 7:39 am | 11:40 pm | About every 2 hours | About 38 min |
First and last trip are when the first train of the trip leaves Harvard, on the fall 2026 schedule. "How often" is for Fitchburg Line trains (the least frequent part of the trip).
Late at night
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Harvard at 11:49 pm and gets to Brandeis University around 12:22 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 11:35 pm, and on Sunday nights at 11:40 pm. Late at night, ask Cobblehop for the last trip. It checks live times and tells you when to leave.
Tips for this trip
- Inbound or outbound. Commuter Rail trains toward Boston are called inbound and trains leaving Boston are outbound. This trip is outbound: look for Wachusett on the departure board, and find the track number there a few minutes before the train leaves.
- Changing at Porter. You don't leave the station. Follow the signs for Fitchburg Line.
- Brandeis has its own Commuter Rail stop, Brandeis/Roberts, at the foot of campus.
Step-free access
MBTA data lists every station on this route (Harvard, Porter and Brandeis/Roberts) as accessible. Porter has 5 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.
- Commuter Rail. Porter to Brandeis/Roberts is a Zone 2 fare, $7.00 one way. On Saturdays and Sundays, a $10.00 weekend pass covers unlimited Commuter Rail rides.
- Buying a train ticket. Tap-to-pay doesn't work on the Commuter Rail. Use the mTicket app, a fare machine or ticket window, or pay the conductor. Paying on board can add a $3 fee when you board at a station that sells tickets. A Commuter Rail ticket doesn't cover the subway part of the trip.
- 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 Brandeis University: common questions
How do I get from Harvard Square to Brandeis University by public transit?
Take the Red Line toward Alewife to Porter, then the Fitchburg Line toward Wachusett to Brandeis/Roberts, and walk about 7 min. The trip takes about 36 minutes.
How long does it take to get from Harvard Square to Brandeis University?
About 36 minutes on the main route.
Do I have to change along the way?
Yes, once: at Porter. Take the Red Line toward Alewife to Porter, then the Fitchburg Line toward Wachusett to Brandeis/Roberts, and walk about 7 min.
How often do Fitchburg Line trains run?
About once an hour on weekdays during the day, about every 2 hours on Saturdays and about every 2 hours on Sundays, on the fall 2026 schedule.
What time is the last train from Harvard Square to Brandeis University?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Harvard at 11:49 pm and gets to Brandeis University around 12:22 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 11:35 pm, and on Sunday nights at 11:40 pm.
Related routes
- Harvard Square to Minute Man Visitor Center
- Harvard Square to Wellesley College
- Back Bay Station to Brandeis University
- Boston Common to Brandeis University
- Boston to Cambridge: Harvard and MIT (guide)
- Never miss your stop (guide)
More routes from Harvard Square
- Harvard Square to Arsenal Yards
- Harvard Square to St. Elizabeth's Medical Center
- Harvard Square to Mount Auburn Cemetery
- Harvard Square to Roadrunner
- Harvard Square to Fresh Pond Reservation
- 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: Fitchburg Line timetable
- MBTA: Harvard station
- MBTA: Porter station
- MBTA: Brandeis/Roberts station
- MBTA: fares
- MBTA: Commuter Rail fare zones
- 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.
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