Kendall Square to Arnold Arboretum
Plain directions from Kendall Square to Arnold Arboretum, checked against the fall 2026 MBTA schedule.
Kendall Square to Arnold Arboretum
- Red Line
- Orange Line
- Take the Red LineFrom Kendall/MIT, toward Braintree3 stops, about 6 min
- Change at Downtown Crossing
- Take the Orange LineToward Forest Hills10 stops, about 16 min
- Get off at Forest HillsThe stop after Green Street
- Walk about 15 min to Arnold ArboretumUse the Washington St exit
Weekdays, fall 2026 schedule · First and last trips
Quick answer: Take the Red Line toward Braintree to Downtown Crossing, then the Orange Line to Forest Hills, and walk about 15 min. The trip takes about 44 minutes (42-46 min depending on the connection). On weekdays the Red Line runs every 5 min during the day.
Get the live route from Kendall to Arnold Arboretum
Step by step
- At Kendall/MIT, take the Red Line toward Braintree.
- Ride 3 stops, about 6 min, through Charles/MGH and Park Street, and get off at Downtown Crossing.
- At Downtown Crossing, change to the Orange Line toward Forest Hills.
- Ride 10 stops, about 16 min. Get off at Forest Hills, the stop after Green Street.
- Walk about 15 min to Arnold Arboretum. Use the Washington St exit.
Times and frequency
| Day | First trip | Last trip | How often (daytime) | Trip time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday-Thursday | 5:15 am | 12:59 am | Every 5 min | About 44 min |
| Friday | 5:15 am | 1:59 am | Every 5 min | About 44 min |
| Saturday | 5:14 am | 1:28 am | Every 7 min | About 45 min |
| Sunday | 6:00 am | 12:42 am | Every 8 min | About 45 min |
First and last trip are when the first train of the trip leaves Kendall/MIT, on the fall 2026 schedule. "How often" is for the Red Line (the least frequent part of the trip).
Late at night
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Kendall/MIT at 12:59 am and gets to Arnold Arboretum around 1:38 am, using bus 1 and bus 39. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:59 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:28 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:42 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 Green Street. The next stop is Forest Hills. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- Changing at Downtown Crossing. You don't leave the station. Follow the signs for Orange Line toward Forest Hills.
- The Arnold Arboretum's main gate and visitor center are on the Arborway in Jamaica Plain.
- Kendall/MIT station is on Main Street in Kendall Square, at the east end of MIT.
Step-free access
MBTA data lists every station on this route (Kendall/MIT, Downtown Crossing and Forest Hills) as accessible. Downtown Crossing has 6 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. Changing between subway lines is free.
- 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.
Kendall Square to Arnold Arboretum: common questions
How do I get from Kendall Square to Arnold Arboretum by public transit?
Take the Red Line toward Braintree to Downtown Crossing, then the Orange Line to Forest Hills, and walk about 15 min. The trip takes about 44 minutes (42-46 min depending on the connection).
How long does it take to get from Kendall Square to Arnold Arboretum?
About 44 minutes on the main route, or 42-46 minutes depending on the connection.
Do I have to change along the way?
Yes, once: at Downtown Crossing. Take the Red Line toward Braintree to Downtown Crossing, then the Orange Line to Forest Hills, and walk about 15 min.
How often does the Red Line run?
Every 5 min on weekdays during the day, every 7 min on Saturdays and every 8 min on Sundays, on the fall 2026 schedule.
What time is the last train from Kendall Square to Arnold Arboretum?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Kendall/MIT at 12:59 am and gets to Arnold Arboretum around 1:38 am, using bus 1 and bus 39. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:59 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:28 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:42 am.
Related routes
- Kendall Square to Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital
- Kendall Square to Larz Anderson Auto Museum
- Back Bay Station to Arnold Arboretum
- Boston Common to Arnold Arboretum
- Never miss your stop (guide)
More routes from Kendall Square
- Kendall Square to Samuel Adams Boston Brewery
- Kendall Square to Forest Hills Cemetery
- Kendall Square to Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site
- Kendall Square to White Stadium
- Kendall Square to Boston Nature Center
- All routes from Kendall 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: Orange Line
- MBTA: Kendall/MIT station
- MBTA: Downtown Crossing station
- MBTA: Forest Hills 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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