North Station to Porter Square
Plain directions from North Station to Porter Square, checked against the fall 2026 MBTA schedule.
North Station to Porter Square
- Fitchburg Line
- Take the Fitchburg LineFrom North Station, toward Wachusett1 stop, about 10 min
- Get off at Porter
Weekdays, fall 2026 schedule · First and last trips
Quick answer: Take the Fitchburg Line toward Wachusett to Porter. The trip takes about 11 minutes. On weekdays Fitchburg Line trains run about once an hour during the day.
Get the live route from North Station to Porter
Step by step
- At North Station, take the Fitchburg Line toward Wachusett.
- Ride about 10 min to Porter, without stopping.
Times and frequency
| Day | First trip | Last trip | How often (daytime) | Trip time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday-Thursday | 5:40 am | 1:01 am | About once an hour | About 11 min |
| Friday | 5:40 am | 1:48 am | About once an hour | About 11 min |
| Saturday | 5:34 am | 1:49 am | About every 2 hours | About 11 min |
| Sunday | 6:19 am | 1:04 am | About every 2 hours | About 11 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 Fitchburg Line trains.
Late at night
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves North Station at 1:01 am and gets to Porter Square around 1:34 am, using Green Line and bus 87. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:48 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:49 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
- Inbound or outbound. Commuter Rail trains toward Boston are called inbound and trains leaving Boston are outbound. This trip is outbound: look for Wachusett on the departure board, and find the track number there a few minutes before the train leaves.
- Porter Square has a Red Line station and a Commuter Rail stop on the Fitchburg Line.
- 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 and Porter) 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
- Commuter Rail. North Station to Porter is a Zone 1A fare, $2.40 one way. On Saturdays and Sundays, a $10.00 weekend pass covers unlimited Commuter Rail rides.
- Buying a train ticket. Tap-to-pay doesn't work on the Commuter Rail. Use the mTicket app, a fare machine or ticket window, or pay the conductor. Paying on board can add a $3 fee when you board at a station that sells tickets.
- 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 Porter Square: common questions
How do I get from North Station to Porter Square by public transit?
Take the Fitchburg Line toward Wachusett to Porter. The trip takes about 11 minutes.
How long does it take to get from North Station to Porter Square?
About 11 minutes on the main route.
Do I have to change trains?
No. The Fitchburg Line goes all the way, so it's one ride.
How often do Fitchburg Line trains run?
About once an hour on weekdays during the day, about every 2 hours on Saturdays and about every 2 hours on Sundays, on the fall 2026 schedule.
What time is the last train from North Station to Porter Square?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves North Station at 1:01 am and gets to Porter Square around 1:34 am, using Green Line and bus 87. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:48 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:49 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:04 am.
Related routes
- North Station to Davis Square
- North Station to Harvard Museum of Natural History
- Boston Common to Porter Square
- South Station to Porter Square
- Getting to TD Garden by T (guide)
- Never miss your stop (guide)
More routes from North Station
- North Station to Longfellow House
- North Station to Harvard Art Museums
- North Station to Harvard Square
- North Station to Tufts University
- North Station to Cambridge Hospital
- 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: Fitchburg Line timetable
- MBTA: North Station station
- MBTA: Porter station
- MBTA: fares
- MBTA: Commuter Rail fare zones
- 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.