North Station to Salem State University
How to get from North Station to Salem State University on public transit, with the stops, times and the last trip of the night.
Halloween weekend: On Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1, 2026, the MBTA runs a special Halloween schedule on the Newburyport/Rockport Line, so the weekend train times on this page don't apply on those two days. See Getting around Salem in October for the Halloween times.
North Station to Salem State University
- Newburyport/Rockport Line
- Bus 455
- Take the Newburyport/Rockport LineFrom North Station, toward Rockport3 stops, about 25 min
- Walk about 5 min to Essex St @ Burrill StAfter you get off at Swampscott
- Take bus 455Toward Salem Depot via Central Square22 stops, about 13 min
- Get off at Loring Ave @ Rainbow TerrThe stop after Loring Ave @ Raymond Rd
- Walk about 3 min to Salem State University
Weekdays, fall 2026 schedule · First and last trips
Quick answer: Take the Newburyport/Rockport Line toward Rockport to Swampscott, then bus 455 to Loring Ave @ Rainbow Terr, and walk about 3 min. The trip takes about 60 minutes (50-65 min depending on the connection). On weekdays Newburyport/Rockport Line trains run about every 30 min during the day.
Get the live route from North Station to Salem State
Step by step
- At North Station, take the Newburyport/Rockport Line toward Rockport.
- Ride about 25 min to Swampscott, with 2 stops on the way.
- Walk about 5 min from Swampscott to Essex St @ Burrill St.
- At Essex St @ Burrill St, change to bus 455 toward Salem Depot via Central Square.
- Ride about 13 min (22 stops). Get off at Loring Ave @ Rainbow Terr, the stop after Loring Ave @ Raymond Rd.
- Walk about 3 min to Salem State University.
Times and frequency
| Day | First trip | Last trip | How often (daytime) | Trip time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday-Friday | 5:37 am | midnight | About every 30 min | About 60 min |
| Saturday | 5:57 am | 11:20 pm | About once an hour | About 63 min |
| Sunday | 6:30 am | 10:29 pm | About once an hour | About 62 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 Newburyport/Rockport Line trains (the least frequent part of the trip).
Late at night
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves North Station at midnight and gets to Salem State University around 1:06 am, using bus 426 and bus 455. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 11:20 pm, and on Sunday nights at 10:29 pm. 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 Loring Ave @ Raymond Rd. The next stop is Loring Ave @ Rainbow Terr. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- Inbound or outbound. Commuter Rail trains toward Boston are called inbound and trains leaving Boston are outbound. This trip is outbound: look for Rockport on the departure board, and find the track number there a few minutes before the train leaves.
- Salem State's North Campus is on Lafayette Street in South Salem.
- 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 Swampscott) 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
- Bus. $1.70 one way, like any local bus.
- 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.
- Commuter Rail. North Station to Swampscott is a Zone 3 fare, $8.00 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. A Commuter Rail ticket doesn't cover the subway part of the trip.
- 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 Salem State University: common questions
How do I get from North Station to Salem State University by public transit?
Take the Newburyport/Rockport Line toward Rockport to Swampscott, then bus 455 to Loring Ave @ Rainbow Terr, and walk about 3 min. The trip takes about 60 minutes (50-65 min depending on the connection).
How long does it take to get from North Station to Salem State University?
About 60 minutes on the main route, or 50-65 minutes depending on the connection.
Do I have to change along the way?
Yes, once: at Swampscott. Take the Newburyport/Rockport Line toward Rockport to Swampscott, then bus 455 to Loring Ave @ Rainbow Terr, and walk about 3 min.
How often do Newburyport/Rockport Line trains run?
About every 30 min on weekdays during the day, about once an hour on Saturdays and about once an hour on Sundays, on the fall 2026 schedule.
What time is the last train from North Station to Salem State University?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves North Station at midnight and gets to Salem State University around 1:06 am, using bus 426 and bus 455. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 11:20 pm, and on Sunday nights at 10:29 pm.
Related routes
- North Station to Salem Hospital
- North Station to Salem Maritime National Historical Park
- South Station to Salem State University
- Back Bay Station to Salem State University
- Getting to TD Garden by T (guide)
- Never miss your stop (guide)
More routes from North Station
- North Station to The Witch House
- North Station to Salem Witch Museum
- North Station to House of the Seven Gables
- North Station to Lynn Beach
- North Station to Northshore Mall
- 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: Newburyport/Rockport Line timetable
- MBTA: bus 455
- MBTA: North Station station
- MBTA: Swampscott 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.