North Station to Harvard Square
Plain directions from North Station to Harvard Square, checked against the fall 2026 MBTA schedule.
Quick answer: Take the Orange Line toward Forest Hills to Downtown Crossing, then the Red Line toward Alewife to Harvard. The trip takes about 25 minutes (23-27 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 Harvard
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 5 stops, about 12 min, through Park Street, Charles/MGH, Kendall/MIT and Central, and get off at Harvard.
Other ways to go
- Take the Green Line toward Heath Street to Park Street, then the Red Line toward Alewife to Harvard: about 25 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 | 1:09 am | Every 5 min | About 25 min |
| Friday | 5:05 am | 2:00 am | Every 5 min | About 25 min |
| Saturday | 5:11 am | 1:55 am | Every 7 min | About 24 min |
| Sunday | 5:45 am | 1:04 am | Every 8 min | About 24 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 1:09 am and gets to Harvard Square around 1:41 am, using Green Line and bus 109. 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 Central. The next stop is Harvard. 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.
- Harvard station opens right into Harvard Square. Harvard Yard is across Massachusetts Avenue from the main entrance.
- 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 Harvard) 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 Harvard Square: common questions
How do I get from North Station to Harvard Square by public transit?
Take the Orange Line toward Forest Hills to Downtown Crossing, then the Red Line toward Alewife to Harvard. The trip takes about 25 minutes (23-27 min depending on the connection).
How long does it take to get from North Station to Harvard Square?
About 25 minutes on the main route, or 23-27 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 Harvard.
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 Harvard Square?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves North Station at 1:09 am and gets to Harvard Square around 1:41 am, using Green Line and bus 109. 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 Davis Square
- North Station to Boston University
- Boston Common to Harvard Square
- South Station to Harvard Square
- Boston to Cambridge: Harvard and MIT (guide)
- Getting to TD Garden by T (guide)
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: Harvard station
- MBTA: fares
- MBTA: elevator and accessibility alerts
Published October 29, 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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