South Station to CambridgeSide
The T route from South Station to CambridgeSide: where to board, where to change, where to get off and how late it runs.
Quick answer: Take the Red Line toward Alewife to Kendall/MIT, and walk about 18 min. The trip takes about 26 minutes. On weekdays the Red Line runs every 5 min during the day.
Get the live route from South Station to CambridgeSide
Step by step
- At South Station, take the Red Line toward Alewife.
- Ride 4 stops, about 7 min, through Downtown Crossing, Park Street and Charles/MGH, and get off at Kendall/MIT.
- Walk about 18 min to CambridgeSide. Use the Main St, Third St exit.
Other ways to go
- Take the Red Line toward Alewife to Park Street, then the Green Line toward Medford/Tufts to Lechmere, and walk about 8 min: about 30 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 | 5:11 am | 1:20 am | Every 5 min | About 26 min |
| Friday | 5:11 am | 2:18 am | Every 5 min | About 26 min |
| Saturday | 5:30 am | 2:14 am | Every 6 min | About 25 min |
| Sunday | 6:15 am | 1:16 am | Every 6 min | About 25 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.
Late at night
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves South Station at 1:20 am and gets to CambridgeSide around 1:40 am, using Green Line. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 2:18 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 2:14 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:16 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 Charles/MGH. The next stop is Kendall/MIT. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- CambridgeSide, the shopping mall on First Street in East Cambridge, is a short walk from Lechmere station.
- 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 Kendall/MIT) 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 CambridgeSide: common questions
How do I get from South Station to CambridgeSide by public transit?
Take the Red Line toward Alewife to Kendall/MIT, and walk about 18 min. The trip takes about 26 minutes.
How long does it take to get from South Station to CambridgeSide?
About 26 minutes on the main route. Walking takes about 44 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 CambridgeSide?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves South Station at 1:20 am and gets to CambridgeSide around 1:40 am, using Green Line. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 2:18 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 2:14 am, and on Sunday nights at 1:16 am.
Related routes
- South Station to Museum of Science
- South Station to Massachusetts General Hospital
- North Station to CambridgeSide
- Back Bay Station to CambridgeSide
- 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: Kendall/MIT 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.
Leaving now? Cobblehop gives you one clear plan with live times and alerts you before your stop. Try it free, no sign-up, nothing to install.