South Station to Back Bay Station
Plain directions from South Station to Back Bay Station, checked against the fall 2026 MBTA schedule.
Quick answer: Take the Providence/Stoughton Line toward Providence to Back Bay. The trip takes about 5 minutes. On weekdays Providence/Stoughton Line trains run about every 30 min during the day. Walking takes about 27 minutes, so on a nice day you may not need the T at all.
Get the live route from South Station to Back Bay
Step by step
- At South Station, take the Providence/Stoughton Line toward Providence.
- Ride about 5 min to Back Bay, without stopping.
Other ways to go
- Take the Framingham/Worcester Line toward Framingham to Back Bay: about 6 min.
- Take the Franklin/Foxboro Line toward Foxboro via Back Bay to Back Bay: about 5 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 | 12:46 am | About every 30 min | About 5 min |
| Friday | 4:20 am | 1:43 am | About every 30 min | About 5 min |
| Saturday | 5:00 am | 1:46 am | About every 2 hours | About 5 min |
| Sunday | 5:00 am | 12:47 am | About every 2 hours | About 5 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 Providence/Stoughton Line trains.
Late at night
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves South Station at 12:46 am and gets to Back Bay Station around 12:50 am, using Orange Line. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:43 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:46 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:47 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 inbound: look for Providence on the departure board, and find the track number there a few minutes before the train leaves.
- Back Bay station has the Orange Line, Commuter Rail and Amtrak under one roof. It connects to Copley Place by an indoor passage.
- 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 and Back Bay) 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
- Commuter Rail. South Station to Back Bay 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.
South Station to Back Bay Station: common questions
How do I get from South Station to Back Bay Station by public transit?
Take the Providence/Stoughton Line toward Providence to Back Bay. The trip takes about 5 minutes.
How long does it take to get from South Station to Back Bay Station?
About 5 minutes on the main route. Walking takes about 27 minutes.
Do I have to change trains?
No. The Providence/Stoughton Line goes all the way, so it's one ride.
How often do Providence/Stoughton Line trains run?
About every 30 min 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 South Station to Back Bay Station?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves South Station at 12:46 am and gets to Back Bay Station around 12:50 am, using Orange Line. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:43 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:46 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:47 am.
Related routes
- South Station to Copley Square
- South Station to Prudential Center
- North Station to Back Bay Station
- Logan Airport to Back Bay Station
- Never miss your stop (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: Providence/Stoughton Line timetable
- MBTA: South Station station
- MBTA: Back Bay station
- MBTA: fares
- MBTA: Commuter Rail fare zones
- 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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