South Station to Arnold Arboretum
The T route from South Station to Arnold Arboretum: where to board, where to change, where to get off and how late it runs.
South Station to Arnold Arboretum
- Red Line
- Orange Line
- Take the Red LineFrom South Station, toward Alewife1 stop, about 1 min
- Change at Downtown Crossing
- Take the Orange LineToward Forest Hills10 stops, about 16 min
- Get off at Forest HillsThe stop after Green Street
- Walk about 15 min to Arnold ArboretumUse the Washington St exit
Weekdays, fall 2026 schedule · First and last trips
Quick answer: Take the Red Line toward Alewife to Downtown Crossing, then the Orange Line to Forest Hills, and walk about 15 min. The trip takes about 38 minutes. On weekdays the Red Line runs every 5 min during the day.
Get the live route from South Station to Arnold Arboretum
Step by step
- At South Station, take the Red Line toward Alewife.
- Ride 1 stop, about 1 min to Downtown Crossing.
- At Downtown Crossing, change to the Orange Line toward Forest Hills.
- Ride 10 stops, about 16 min. Get off at Forest Hills, the stop after Green Street.
- Walk about 15 min to Arnold Arboretum. Use the Washington St exit.
Other ways to go
- Take the Providence/Stoughton Line toward Providence to Ruggles, then the Orange Line to Forest Hills, and walk about 15 min: about 40 min.
- Take the Needham Line toward Needham Heights to Forest Hills, and walk about 16 min: about 29 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 | 4:20 am | 12:49 am | Every 5 min | About 38 min |
| Friday | 4:20 am | 1:43 am | Every 5 min | About 38 min |
| Saturday | 5:00 am | 12:39 am | Every 7 min | About 39 min |
| Sunday | 6:05 am | 12:49 am | Every 8 min | About 39 min |
First and last trip are when the first train of the trip leaves South Station, on the fall 2026 schedule. "How often" is for the Red Line (the least frequent part of the trip).
Late at night
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves South Station at 12:49 am and gets to Arnold Arboretum around 1:35 am, using Red Line and bus 16. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:43 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 12:39 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:49 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 Green Street. The next stop is Forest Hills. 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 Orange Line toward Forest Hills.
- The Arnold Arboretum's main gate and visitor center are on the Arborway in Jamaica Plain.
- South Station has the Red Line and Silver Line underground, Commuter Rail and Amtrak on the main concourse, and the intercity bus terminal upstairs next door.
Step-free access
MBTA data lists every station on this route (South Station, Downtown Crossing and Forest Hills) 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. 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.
South Station to Arnold Arboretum: common questions
How do I get from South Station to Arnold Arboretum by public transit?
Take the Red Line toward Alewife to Downtown Crossing, then the Orange Line to Forest Hills, and walk about 15 min. The trip takes about 38 minutes.
How long does it take to get from South Station to Arnold Arboretum?
About 38 minutes on the main route.
Do I have to change along the way?
Yes, once: at Downtown Crossing. Take the Red Line toward Alewife to Downtown Crossing, then the Orange Line to Forest Hills, and walk about 15 min.
How often does the Red 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 South Station to Arnold Arboretum?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves South Station at 12:49 am and gets to Arnold Arboretum around 1:35 am, using Red Line and bus 16. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:43 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 12:39 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:49 am.
Related routes
- South Station to Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital
- South Station to Larz Anderson Auto Museum
- Boston Common to Arnold Arboretum
- North Station to Arnold Arboretum
- Never miss your stop (guide)
More routes from South Station
- South Station to Samuel Adams Boston Brewery
- South Station to Forest Hills Cemetery
- South Station to Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site
- South Station to White Stadium
- South Station to Boston Nature Center
- All routes from South 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: Red Line
- MBTA: Orange Line
- MBTA: South Station station
- MBTA: Downtown Crossing station
- MBTA: Forest Hills 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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