South Station to Museum of Fine Arts
The train route from South Station to Museum of Fine Arts: where to board, where to change, where to get off and how late it runs.
Quick answer: Take the Providence/Stoughton Line toward Providence to Ruggles, and walk about 10 min. The trip takes about 18 minutes. On weekdays Providence/Stoughton Line trains run about every 30 min during the day.
Get the live route from South Station to the MFA
Step by step
- At South Station, take the Providence/Stoughton Line toward Providence.
- Ride about 8 min to Ruggles, with 1 stop on the way.
- Walk about 10 min to Museum of Fine Arts. Use the Northeastern, Forsyth St exit.
Other ways to go
- Take the Red Line toward Alewife to Downtown Crossing, then the Orange Line toward Forest Hills to Ruggles, and walk about 10 min: about 24 min.
- Take the Red Line toward Alewife to Park Street, then the Green Line toward Heath Street to Museum of Fine Arts, and walk about 3 min: about 31 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 | 12:42 am | About every 30 min | About 18 min |
| Friday | 4:20 am | 1:43 am | About every 30 min | About 18 min |
| Saturday | 5:00 am | 1:47 am | About every 2 hours | About 18 min |
| Sunday | 5:40 am | 12:45 am | About every 2 hours | About 18 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 12:42 am and gets to Museum of Fine Arts around 1:19 am, using Red Line and bus 9 and bus 39. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:43 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:47 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:45 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 outbound: look for Providence on the departure board, and find the track number there a few minutes before the train leaves.
- The MFA is on Huntington Avenue. The Green Line E branch stops at Museum of Fine Arts station, right in front of the museum.
- 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 Ruggles) 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 Ruggles 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 Museum of Fine Arts: common questions
How do I get from South Station to Museum of Fine Arts by public transit?
Take the Providence/Stoughton Line toward Providence to Ruggles, and walk about 10 min. The trip takes about 18 minutes.
How long does it take to get from South Station to Museum of Fine Arts?
About 18 minutes on the main route.
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 Museum of Fine Arts?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves South Station at 12:42 am and gets to Museum of Fine Arts around 1:19 am, using Red Line and bus 9 and bus 39. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:43 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:47 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:45 am.
Related routes
- South Station to Northeastern University
- South Station to Longwood Medical Area
- Boston Common to Museum of Fine Arts
- North Station to Museum of Fine Arts
- 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: Ruggles 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.
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.