Harvard Square to Franklin Park Zoo
Plain directions from Harvard Square to Franklin Park Zoo, checked against the fall 2026 MBTA schedule.
Harvard Square to Franklin Park Zoo
- Red Line
- Bus 16
- Take the Red LineFrom Harvard, toward Braintree8 stops, about 17 min
- Change at Andrew
- Take bus 16Toward Forest Hills via South Bay Center17 stops, about 23 min
- Get off at Franklin Park Zoo @ EntranceThe stop after Columbia Rd @ Seaver St
Weekdays, fall 2026 schedule · First and last trips
Quick answer: Take the Red Line toward Braintree to Andrew, then bus 16 to Franklin Park Zoo @ Entrance. The trip takes about 55 minutes (42-59 min depending on the connection). On weekdays bus 16 runs about every 15 min during the day.
Get the live route from Harvard to Franklin Park Zoo
Step by step
- At Harvard, take the Red Line toward Braintree.
- Ride 8 stops, about 17 min. Get off at Andrew, the stop after Broadway.
- At Andrew, change to bus 16 toward Forest Hills via South Bay Center.
- Ride about 23 min (17 stops). Get off at Franklin Park Zoo @ Entrance, the stop after Columbia Rd @ Seaver St.
Other ways to go
- Take the Red Line toward Ashmont to Downtown Crossing, the Orange Line toward Forest Hills to Jackson Square, then bus 22 to Blue Hill Ave @ Franklin Park Rd: about 52 min.
- Take the Red Line to Ashmont, then bus 22 to Blue Hill Ave @ Ellington St, and walk about 3 min: about 59 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 | 4:57 am | 1:20 am | About every 15 min | About 55 min |
| Friday | 4:57 am | 1:50 am | About every 15 min | About 55 min |
| Saturday | 4:32 am | 1:32 am | About every 15 min | About 56 min |
| Sunday | 5:42 am | 1:11 am | About every 20 min | About 53 min |
First and last trip are when the first train of the trip leaves Harvard, on the fall 2026 schedule. "How often" is for bus 16 (the least frequent part of the trip).
Late at night
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Harvard at 1:20 am and gets to Franklin Park Zoo around 2:14 am, using bus 1 and bus 23. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:50 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:32 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:11 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 Columbia Rd @ Seaver St. The next stop is Franklin Park Zoo @ Entrance. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- Changing at Andrew. You don't leave the station. Follow the signs for bus 16.
- The zoo's main entrance is on Franklin Park Road, off Blue Hill Avenue.
Step-free access
MBTA data lists every station on this route (Harvard and Andrew) as accessible. Andrew has 3 elevators in MBTA data. Elevators do break, so check the MBTA's elevator alerts before you go.
What it costs
- Subway and bus. The subway is $2.40 one way, and a local bus is $1.70. Under an MBTA pilot that started September 1, 2026, you can change between bus and subway within 2 hours of your first tap and pay only the highest fare, if you use the same card or phone each time.
- 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 Franklin Park Zoo: common questions
How do I get from Harvard Square to Franklin Park Zoo by public transit?
Take the Red Line toward Braintree to Andrew, then bus 16 to Franklin Park Zoo @ Entrance. The trip takes about 55 minutes (42-59 min depending on the connection).
How long does it take to get from Harvard Square to Franklin Park Zoo?
About 55 minutes on the main route, or 42-59 minutes depending on the connection.
Do I have to change along the way?
Yes, once: at Andrew. Take the Red Line toward Braintree to Andrew, then bus 16 to Franklin Park Zoo @ Entrance.
How often does bus 16 run?
About every 15 min on weekdays during the day, about every 15 min on Saturdays and about every 20 min on Sundays, on the fall 2026 schedule.
What time is the last bus from Harvard Square to Franklin Park Zoo?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Harvard at 1:20 am and gets to Franklin Park Zoo around 2:14 am, using bus 1 and bus 23. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:50 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:32 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:11 am.
Related routes
- Harvard Square to White Stadium
- Harvard Square to Samuel Adams Boston Brewery
- Kendall Square to Franklin Park Zoo
- Back Bay Station to Franklin Park Zoo
- Franklin Park Zoo by T (guide)
- Boston to Cambridge: Harvard and MIT (guide)
- Never miss your stop (guide)
More routes from Harvard Square
- Harvard Square to Boston Nature Center
- Harvard Square to Forest Hills Cemetery
- Harvard Square to Roxbury Community College
- Harvard Square to Reggie Lewis Center
- Harvard Square to Arnold Arboretum
- 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: bus 16
- MBTA: Harvard station
- MBTA: Andrew 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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