Harvard Square to MIT

How to get from Harvard Square to MIT on public transit, with the stops, times and the last trip of the night.

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

Get the live route from Harvard to MIT

Step by step

1. At Harvard, take the Red Line toward Braintree.
2. Ride 2 stops, about 6 min, through Central, and get off at Kendall/MIT.
3. Walk about 12 min to MIT. Use the Carleton St exit.

Other ways to go

• Take bus 1 to 84 Massachusetts Ave, and walk about 4 min: about 21 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

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 1:20 am and gets to MIT around 1:33 am, using bus 1. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 2:19 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 2:18 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 Central. The next stop is Kendall/MIT. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
• MIT's main entrance at 77 Massachusetts Avenue is on the west side of campus. Kendall/MIT station is at the east end, near the MIT Museum and Kendall Square.

Step-free access

MBTA data lists every station on this route (Harvard and Kendall/MIT) as accessible. Kendall/MIT has 4 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 MIT: common questions

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

Take the Red Line toward Braintree to Kendall/MIT, and walk about 12 min. The trip takes about 20 minutes.

How long does it take to get from Harvard Square to MIT?

About 20 minutes on the main route. Walking takes about 37 minutes.

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 MIT?

On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Harvard at 1:20 am and gets to MIT around 1:33 am, using bus 1. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 2:19 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 2:18 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:11 am.

Related routes

• Harvard Square to Fenway Park
• Harvard Square to Museum of Fine Arts
• Back Bay Station to MIT
• North Station to MIT
• 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: Kendall/MIT 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.