South Station to Copley Square
Plain directions from South Station to Copley Square, checked against the fall 2026 MBTA schedule.
Quick answer: Take the Red Line toward Alewife to Park Street, then any Green Line train to Copley. The trip takes about 19 minutes. On weekdays the Red Line runs every 5 min during the day. Walking takes about 26 minutes, so on a nice day you may not need the T at all.
Get the live route from South Station to Copley
Step by step
- At South Station, take the Red Line toward Alewife.
- Ride 2 stops, about 3 min, through Downtown Crossing, and get off at Park Street.
- At Park Street, change to any Green Line train.
- Ride 3 stops, about 7 min, through Boylston and Arlington, and get off at Copley.
Other ways to go
- Take the Providence/Stoughton Line toward Stoughton to Back Bay, and walk about 7 min: about 12 min.
- Take the Framingham/Worcester Line toward Framingham to Back Bay, and walk about 5 min: about 11 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 | 1:13 am | Every 5 min | About 19 min |
| Friday | 4:20 am | 2:07 am | Every 5 min | About 19 min |
| Saturday | 5:00 am | 2:01 am | Every 6 min | About 19 min |
| Sunday | 5:00 am | 12:59 am | Every 6 min | About 19 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 1:13 am and gets to Copley Square around 1:21 am, using Green Line. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 2:07 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 2:01 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:59 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 Arlington. The next stop is Copley. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- Changing at Park Street. You don't leave the station. Follow the signs for any Green Line.
- Copley station is under Boylston Street at Copley Square, next to the Boston Public Library and Trinity Church.
- 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, Park Street and Copley) 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 Copley Square: common questions
How do I get from South Station to Copley Square by public transit?
Take the Red Line toward Alewife to Park Street, then any Green Line train to Copley. The trip takes about 19 minutes.
How long does it take to get from South Station to Copley Square?
About 19 minutes on the main route. Walking takes about 26 minutes.
Do I have to change along the way?
Yes, once: at Park Street. Take the Red Line toward Alewife to Park Street, then any Green Line train to Copley.
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 Copley Square?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves South Station at 1:13 am and gets to Copley Square around 1:21 am, using Green Line. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 2:07 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 2:01 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:59 am.
Related routes
- South Station to Back Bay Station
- South Station to Prudential Center
- North Station to Copley Square
- Logan Airport to Copley Square
- 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: Green Line
- MBTA: South Station station
- MBTA: Park Street station
- MBTA: Copley 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.
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