Harvard Square to UMass Boston
The T route from Harvard Square to UMass Boston: where to board, where to change, where to get off and how late it runs.
Harvard Square to UMass Boston
- Red Line
- Bus 8
- Take the Red LineFrom Harvard, toward Braintree9 stops, about 20 min
- Change at JFK/UMass
- Take bus 8Toward Harbor Point4 stops, about 4 min
- Get off at Mt Vernon St opp South Point DrThe stop after Mt Vernon St @ Paul A. Dever School
- Walk about 7 min to UMass Boston
Weekdays, fall 2026 schedule · First and last trips
Quick answer: Take the Red Line toward Braintree to JFK/UMass, then bus 8 to Mt Vernon St opp South Point Dr, and walk about 7 min. The trip takes about 42 minutes (40-45 min depending on the connection). On weekdays bus 8 runs about every 30 min during the day.
Get the live route from Harvard to UMass Boston
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.
- At JFK/UMass, change to bus 8 toward Harbor Point.
- Ride 4 stops, about 4 min. Get off at Mt Vernon St opp South Point Dr, the stop after Mt Vernon St @ Paul A. Dever School.
- Walk about 7 min to UMass Boston.
Other ways to go
- Take the Red Line toward Ashmont to JFK/UMass, then bus 16 to Mt Vernon St opp South Point Dr, and walk about 7 min: about 44 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 | 12:37 am | About every 30 min | About 42 min |
| Friday | 5:21 am | 1:36 am | About every 30 min | About 42 min |
| Saturday | 5:22 am | 1:36 am | About every 45 min | About 44 min |
| Sunday | 6:07 am | 12:37 am | About every 45 min | About 45 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 8 (the least frequent part of the trip).
Late at night
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Harvard at 12:37 am and gets to UMass Boston around 1:17 am, using Red Line. 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 Mt Vernon St @ Paul A. Dever School. The next stop is Mt Vernon St opp South Point Dr. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- Changing at JFK/UMass. You don't leave the station. Follow the signs for bus 8.
- UMass Boston is on Columbia Point in Dorchester, next to the JFK Library. A university shuttle runs from 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 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 UMass Boston: common questions
How do I get from Harvard Square to UMass Boston by public transit?
Take the Red Line toward Braintree to JFK/UMass, then bus 8 to Mt Vernon St opp South Point Dr, and walk about 7 min. The trip takes about 42 minutes (40-45 min depending on the connection).
How long does it take to get from Harvard Square to UMass Boston?
About 42 minutes on the main route, or 40-45 minutes depending on the connection.
Do I have to change along the way?
Yes, once: at JFK/UMass. Take the Red Line toward Braintree to JFK/UMass, then bus 8 to Mt Vernon St opp South Point Dr, and walk about 7 min.
How often does bus 8 run?
About every 30 min on weekdays during the day, about every 45 min on Saturdays and about every 45 min on Sundays, on the fall 2026 schedule.
What time is the last train from Harvard Square to UMass Boston?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Harvard at 12:37 am and gets to UMass Boston around 1:17 am, using Red Line. 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 JFK Presidential Library
- Harvard Square to L Street Beach
- Kendall Square to UMass Boston
- Back Bay Station to UMass Boston
- Boston to Cambridge: Harvard and MIT (guide)
- Never miss your stop (guide)
More routes from Harvard Square
- Harvard Square to Carson Beach
- Harvard Square to Marina Bay
- Harvard Square to Boston Convention and Exhibition Center
- Harvard Square to Pope John Paul II Park
- 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: bus 8
- 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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