North Station to Central Square, Cambridge
How to get from North Station to Central Square, Cambridge on public transit, with the stops, times and the last trip of the night.
North Station to Central Square, Cambridge
- Orange Line
- Red Line
- Take the Orange LineFrom North Station, toward Forest Hills3 stops, about 4 min
- Change at Downtown Crossing
- Take the Red LineToward Alewife4 stops, about 8 min
- Get off at CentralThe stop after Kendall/MIT
- Walk about 4 min to Central Square, CambridgeUse the Mass Ave exit
Weekdays, fall 2026 schedule · First and last trips
Quick answer: Take the Orange Line toward Forest Hills to Downtown Crossing, then the Red Line toward Alewife to Central, and walk about 4 min. The trip takes about 23 minutes (21-25 min depending on the connection). On weekdays the Orange Line runs every 5 min during the day.
Get the live route from North Station to Central Square
Step by step
- At North Station, take the Orange Line toward Forest Hills.
- Ride 3 stops, about 4 min, through Haymarket and State, and get off at Downtown Crossing.
- At Downtown Crossing, change to the Red Line toward Alewife.
- Ride 4 stops, about 8 min, through Park Street, Charles/MGH and Kendall/MIT, and get off at Central.
- Walk about 4 min to Central Square, Cambridge. Use the Mass Ave exit.
Other ways to go
- Take the Green Line toward Heath Street to Park Street, then the Red Line toward Alewife to Central, and walk about 4 min: about 23 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 | 5:05 am | 1:01 am | Every 5 min | About 23 min |
| Friday | 5:05 am | 2:00 am | Every 5 min | About 23 min |
| Saturday | 5:11 am | 1:55 am | Every 7 min | About 22 min |
| Sunday | 5:45 am | 1:04 am | Every 8 min | About 22 min |
First and last trip are when the first train of the trip leaves North Station, on the fall 2026 schedule. "How often" is for the Orange Line (the least frequent part of the trip).
Late at night
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves North Station at 1:01 am and gets to Central Square, Cambridge around 1:41 am, using Green Line and bus 69. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 2:00 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:55 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:04 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 Kendall/MIT. The next stop is Central. 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 Red Line toward Alewife.
- Central Square is on Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge, with the Red Line station under it.
- North Station sits under TD Garden. The Orange and Green Lines are underground and the Commuter Rail tracks are on the main level.
Step-free access
MBTA data lists every station on this route (North Station, Downtown Crossing and Central) as accessible. North Station 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.
North Station to Central Square, Cambridge: common questions
How do I get from North Station to Central Square, Cambridge by public transit?
Take the Orange Line toward Forest Hills to Downtown Crossing, then the Red Line toward Alewife to Central, and walk about 4 min. The trip takes about 23 minutes (21-25 min depending on the connection).
How long does it take to get from North Station to Central Square, Cambridge?
About 23 minutes on the main route, or 21-25 minutes depending on the connection.
Do I have to change along the way?
Yes, once: at Downtown Crossing. Take the Orange Line toward Forest Hills to Downtown Crossing, then the Red Line toward Alewife to Central, and walk about 4 min.
How often does the Orange 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 North Station to Central Square, Cambridge?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves North Station at 1:01 am and gets to Central Square, Cambridge around 1:41 am, using Green Line and bus 69. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 2:00 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:55 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:04 am.
Related routes
- North Station to Inman Square
- North Station to Cambridge Hospital
- Boston Common to Central Square, Cambridge
- South Station to Central Square, Cambridge
- Getting to TD Garden by T (guide)
- Never miss your stop (guide)
More routes from North Station
- North Station to MIT
- North Station to Harvard Art Museums
- North Station to Boston University
- North Station to Union Square, Somerville
- North Station to Harvard Square
- All routes from North Station
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: Orange Line
- MBTA: Red Line
- MBTA: North Station station
- MBTA: Downtown Crossing station
- MBTA: Central 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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