South Station to Boston Common

The T route from South Station to Boston Common: where to board, where to change, where to get off and how late it runs.

By Ahmad Haji, founder of Cobblehop · October 29, 2026

Get the live route from South Station to Boston Common

Step by step

1. At South Station, take the Red Line toward Alewife.
2. Ride 2 stops, about 3 min, through Downtown Crossing, and get off at Park Street.
3. Walk about 4 min to Boston Common. Use the 8 | Boston Common exit.

Times and frequency

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.

Late at night

On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves South Station at 12:44 am and gets to Boston Common around 12:51 am. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:43 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:44 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:44 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 Downtown Crossing. The next stop is Park Street. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
• Park Street station is at the corner of Boston Common, by the visitor center where the Freedom Trail starts.
• 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 Park Street) 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.
• 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 Boston Common: common questions

How do I get from South Station to Boston Common by public transit?

Take the Red Line toward Alewife to Park Street, and walk about 4 min. The trip takes about 8 minutes.

How long does it take to get from South Station to Boston Common?

About 8 minutes on the main route. Walking takes about 16 minutes.

Do I have to change trains?

No. The Red Line goes all the way, so it's one ride.

How often does the Red Line run?

Every 5 min on weekdays during the day, every 6 min on Saturdays and every 6 min on Sundays, on the fall 2026 schedule.

What time is the last train from South Station to Boston Common?

On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves South Station at 12:44 am and gets to Boston Common around 12:51 am. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:43 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:44 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:44 am.

Related routes

• South Station to Massachusetts General Hospital
• South Station to North Station
• North Station to Boston Common
• Logan Airport to Boston Common
• 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: Red Line
• MBTA: South Station station
• MBTA: Park Street 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.