Harvard Square to South End
Plain directions from Harvard Square to South End, checked against the fall 2026 MBTA schedule.
Harvard Square to South End
- Red Line
- Silver Line SL5
- Take the Red LineFrom Harvard, toward Ashmont4 stops, about 10 min
- Walk about 3 min to Temple Pl @ Washington StAfter you get off at Park Street
- Take the Silver Line SL5Toward Nubian5 stops, about 11 min
- Get off at Washington St @ W Dedham StThe stop after Washington St @ E Berkeley St
- Walk about 3 min to South End
Weekdays, fall 2026 schedule · First and last trips
Quick answer: Take the Red Line toward Ashmont to Park Street, then the Silver Line SL5 to Washington St @ W Dedham St, and walk about 3 min. The trip takes about 33 minutes (29-35 min depending on the connection). On weekdays the Silver Line SL5 runs every 10 min during the day.
Get the live route from Harvard to South End
Step by step
- At Harvard, take the Red Line toward Ashmont.
- Ride 4 stops, about 10 min, through Central, Kendall/MIT and Charles/MGH, and get off at Park Street.
- Walk about 3 min from Park Street to Temple Pl @ Washington St.
- At Temple Pl @ Washington St, change to the Silver Line SL5 toward Nubian.
- Ride 5 stops, about 11 min. Get off at Washington St @ W Dedham St, the stop after Washington St @ E Berkeley St.
- Walk about 3 min to South End.
Other ways to go
- Take bus 1 to Massachusetts Ave @ Washington St, and walk about 12 min: about 43 min.
- Take the Red Line toward Ashmont to Downtown Crossing, then the Orange Line toward Forest Hills to Back Bay, and walk about 12 min: about 36 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 | 5:06 am | 1:20 am | Every 10 min | About 33 min |
| Friday | 5:06 am | 2:19 am | Every 10 min | About 33 min |
| Saturday | 4:46 am | 2:18 am | Every 12 min | About 32 min |
| Sunday | 5:42 am | 1:11 am | Every 9 min | About 31 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 Silver Line SL5 (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 South End around 1:51 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 Washington St @ E Berkeley St. The next stop is Washington St @ W Dedham St. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- The South End's main streets are Tremont Street and Washington Street, with brick row houses and restaurants in between.
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 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 South End: common questions
How do I get from Harvard Square to South End by public transit?
Take the Red Line toward Ashmont to Park Street, then the Silver Line SL5 to Washington St @ W Dedham St, and walk about 3 min. The trip takes about 33 minutes (29-35 min depending on the connection).
How long does it take to get from Harvard Square to South End?
About 33 minutes on the main route, or 29-35 minutes depending on the connection.
Do I have to change along the way?
Yes, once: at Park Street. Take the Red Line toward Ashmont to Park Street, then the Silver Line SL5 to Washington St @ W Dedham St, and walk about 3 min.
How often does the Silver Line SL5 run?
Every 10 min on weekdays during the day, every 12 min on Saturdays and every 9 min on Sundays, on the fall 2026 schedule.
What time is the last bus from Harvard Square to South End?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Harvard at 1:20 am and gets to South End around 1:51 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 Boston Medical Center
- Harvard Square to Copley Square
- Kendall Square to South End
- Boston Common to South End
- Boston to Cambridge: Harvard and MIT (guide)
- Never miss your stop (guide)
More routes from Harvard Square
- Harvard Square to Wang Theatre
- Harvard Square to Tufts Medical Center
- Harvard Square to Boston Public Garden
- Harvard Square to Prudential Center
- Harvard Square to Chinatown
- 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: Silver Line SL5
- MBTA: Harvard station
- MBTA: Park Street 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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