South Station to Boston Nature Center
Plain directions from South Station to Boston Nature Center, checked against the fall 2026 MBTA schedule.
South Station to Boston Nature Center
- Red Line
- Bus 21
- Take the Red LineFrom South Station, toward Ashmont7 stops, about 16 min
- Change at Ashmont
- Take bus 21Toward Forest Hills15 stops, about 10 min
- Get off at Morton St @ Harvard StThe stop after Morton St @ Havelock St
- Walk about 12 min to Boston Nature Center
Weekdays, fall 2026 schedule · First and last trips
Quick answer: Take the Red Line to Ashmont, then bus 21 to Morton St @ Harvard St, and walk about 12 min. The trip takes about 48 minutes (42-51 min depending on the connection). On weekdays bus 21 runs about every 15 min during the day.
Get the live route from South Station to Boston Nature Center
Step by step
- At South Station, take the Red Line toward Ashmont.
- Ride 7 stops, about 16 min, through Broadway, Andrew, JFK/UMass, Savin Hill, Fields Corner and Shawmut, and get off at Ashmont.
- At Ashmont, change to bus 21 toward Forest Hills.
- Ride about 10 min (15 stops). Get off at Morton St @ Harvard St, the stop after Morton St @ Havelock St.
- Walk about 12 min to Boston Nature Center.
Other ways to go
- Take the Needham Line toward Needham Heights to Forest Hills, then bus 31 to Morton St @ Harvard St, and walk about 12 min: about 41 min.
- Take the Fairmount Line toward Readville via Fairmount to Morton Street, then bus 21 to Morton St @ Harvard St, and walk about 12 min: about 43 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-Friday | 4:20 am | 12:49 am | About every 15 min | About 48 min |
| Saturday | 5:00 am | 12:40 am | About every 20 min | About 47 min |
| Sunday | 6:20 am | 12:49 am | About every 20 min | About 46 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 bus 21 (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 Boston Nature Center around 1:48 am, using Red Line and bus 16 and bus 28. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 12:40 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
- Check the Red Line branch. Trains to Braintree don't go to Ashmont. Look for Ashmont on the train sign.
- Know your stop. Get to the door after Morton St @ Havelock St. The next stop is Morton St @ Harvard St. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- Changing at Ashmont. You don't leave the station. Follow the signs for bus 21.
- Mass Audubon's Boston Nature Center is on Walk Hill Street in Mattapan.
- 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 Ashmont) 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 and bus. The subway is $2.40 one way, and a local bus is $1.70. Under an MBTA pilot that started September 1, 2026, you can change between bus and subway within 2 hours of your first tap and pay only the highest fare, if you use the same card or phone each time.
- 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 Nature Center: common questions
How do I get from South Station to Boston Nature Center by public transit?
Take the Red Line to Ashmont, then bus 21 to Morton St @ Harvard St, and walk about 12 min. The trip takes about 48 minutes (42-51 min depending on the connection).
How long does it take to get from South Station to Boston Nature Center?
About 48 minutes on the main route, or 42-51 minutes depending on the connection.
Do I have to change along the way?
Yes, once: at Ashmont. Take the Red Line to Ashmont, then bus 21 to Morton St @ Harvard St, and walk about 12 min.
How often does bus 21 run?
About every 15 min on weekdays during the day, about every 20 min on Saturdays and about every 20 min on Sundays, on the fall 2026 schedule.
What time is the last train from South Station to Boston Nature Center?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves South Station at 12:49 am and gets to Boston Nature Center around 1:48 am, using Red Line and bus 16 and bus 28. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 12:40 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:49 am.
Related routes
- South Station to Forest Hills Cemetery
- South Station to Franklin Park Zoo
- Boston Common to Boston Nature Center
- North Station to Boston Nature Center
- Never miss your stop (guide)
More routes from South Station
- South Station to White Stadium
- South Station to Samuel Adams Boston Brewery
- South Station to Arnold Arboretum
- South Station to Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital
- South Station to Larz Anderson Auto Museum
- 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: bus 21
- MBTA: South Station station
- MBTA: Ashmont 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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Get the live route from South Station to Boston Nature Center