Harvard Square to Carson Beach
Plain directions from Harvard Square to Carson Beach, checked against the fall 2026 MBTA schedule.
Harvard Square to Carson Beach
- Red Line
- Take the Red LineFrom Harvard, toward Braintree9 stops, about 20 min
- Get off at JFK/UMassThe stop after Andrew
- Walk about 16 min to Carson BeachUse the Columbia Rd exit
Weekdays, fall 2026 schedule · First and last trips
Quick answer: Take the Red Line toward Braintree to JFK/UMass, and walk about 16 min. The trip takes about 38 minutes. On weekdays the Red Line runs every 5 min during the day.
Get the live route from Harvard to Carson Beach
Step by step
- At Harvard, take the Red Line toward Braintree.
- Ride 9 stops, about 20 min. Get off at JFK/UMass, the stop after Andrew.
- Walk about 16 min to Carson Beach. Use the Columbia Rd exit.
Other ways to go
- Take the Red Line toward Braintree to Broadway, then bus 11 to E 8th St @ Old Harbor St, and walk about 5 min: about 39 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 | 5:21 am | 12:50 am | Every 5 min | About 38 min |
| Friday | 5:21 am | 1:36 am | Every 5 min | About 38 min |
| Saturday | 5:22 am | 1:36 am | Every 6 min | About 37 min |
| Sunday | 6:07 am | 12:37 am | Every 6 min | About 37 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 12:50 am and gets to Carson Beach around 1:43 am, using bus 1 and bus 10. 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 Andrew. The next stop is JFK/UMass. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- Carson Beach runs along Day Boulevard in South Boston, near JFK/UMass station.
Step-free access
MBTA data lists every station on this route (Harvard and JFK/UMass) 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 Carson Beach: common questions
How do I get from Harvard Square to Carson Beach by public transit?
Take the Red Line toward Braintree to JFK/UMass, and walk about 16 min. The trip takes about 38 minutes.
How long does it take to get from Harvard Square to Carson Beach?
About 38 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 Carson Beach?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Harvard at 12:50 am and gets to Carson Beach around 1:43 am, using bus 1 and bus 10. 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 L Street Beach
- Harvard Square to UMass Boston
- Kendall Square to Carson Beach
- Back Bay Station to Carson Beach
- Boston to Cambridge: Harvard and MIT (guide)
- Never miss your stop (guide)
More routes from Harvard Square
- Harvard Square to JFK Presidential Library
- Harvard Square to Boston Convention and Exhibition Center
- Harvard Square to Seaport World Trade Center
- Harvard Square to the Seaport
- Harvard Square to Leader Bank Pavilion
- 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: JFK/UMass 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.
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