Kendall Square to Institute of Contemporary Art
How to get from Kendall Square to Institute of Contemporary Art on public transit, with the stops, times and the last trip of the night.
Kendall Square to Institute of Contemporary Art
- Red Line
- Take the Red LineFrom Kendall/MIT, toward Ashmont4 stops, about 7 min
- Get off at South StationThe stop after Downtown Crossing
- Walk about 18 min to Institute of Contemporary ArtUse the 7 | Summer St exit
Weekdays, fall 2026 schedule · First and last trips
Quick answer: Take the Red Line toward Ashmont to South Station, and walk about 18 min. The trip takes about 25 minutes. On weekdays the Red Line runs every 5 min during the day.
Get the live route from Kendall to the ICA
Step by step
- At Kendall/MIT, take the Red Line toward Ashmont.
- Ride 4 stops, about 7 min, through Charles/MGH, Park Street and Downtown Crossing, and get off at South Station.
- Walk about 18 min to Institute of Contemporary Art. Use the 7 | Summer St exit.
Other ways to go
- Take the Red Line toward Ashmont to South Station, then the Silver Line SL2 to Courthouse, and walk about 7 min: about 22 min.
- Take the Red Line toward Braintree to South Station, then the Silver Line SL3 to Courthouse, and walk about 7 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
| Day | First trip | Last trip | How often (daytime) | Trip time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday-Thursday | 5:27 am | 12:42 am | Every 5 min | About 25 min |
| Friday | 5:27 am | 1:41 am | Every 5 min | About 25 min |
| Saturday | 5:28 am | 1:42 am | Every 6 min | About 25 min |
| Sunday | 6:13 am | 12:42 am | Every 6 min | About 25 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.
Late at night
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Kendall/MIT at 12:42 am and gets to Institute of Contemporary Art around 1:03 am, using Red Line and Silver Line SL1. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:41 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:42 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 Downtown Crossing. The next stop is South Station. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- The ICA is on the Seaport waterfront, next to Fan Pier.
- 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 and South Station) as accessible. South Station has 9 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.
Kendall Square to Institute of Contemporary Art: common questions
How do I get from Kendall Square to Institute of Contemporary Art by public transit?
Take the Red Line toward Ashmont to South Station, and walk about 18 min. The trip takes about 25 minutes.
How long does it take to get from Kendall Square to Institute of Contemporary Art?
About 25 minutes on the main route.
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 Kendall Square to Institute of Contemporary Art?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves Kendall/MIT at 12:42 am and gets to Institute of Contemporary Art around 1:03 am, using Red Line and Silver Line SL1. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:41 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:42 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:42 am.
Related routes
- Kendall Square to the Seaport
- Kendall Square to Seaport World Trade Center
- Back Bay Station to Institute of Contemporary Art
- Boston Common to Institute of Contemporary Art
- Never miss your stop (guide)
More routes from Kendall Square
- Kendall Square to Boston Children's Museum
- Kendall Square to Boston Convention and Exhibition Center
- Kendall Square to Leader Bank Pavilion
- Kendall Square to New England Aquarium
- Kendall Square to Long Wharf ferry terminal
- 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: Kendall/MIT station
- MBTA: South Station 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.
Leaving now? Cobblehop gives you one clear plan with live times and alerts you before your stop. No sign-up, nothing to install.