South Station to the North End

The T route from South Station to the North End: 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 North End

Step by step

1. At South Station, take the Red Line toward Alewife.
2. Ride 1 stop, about 1 min to Downtown Crossing.
3. At Downtown Crossing, change to the Orange Line toward Oak Grove.
4. Ride 2 stops, about 3 min, through State, and get off at Haymarket.
5. Walk about 8 min to the North End. Use the RMV, Sudbury St, New Chardon St exit.

Other ways to go

• Take bus 4 to Commercial St @ Hanover St, and walk about 5 min: about 17 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

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 12:44 am and gets to the North End around 12:55 am, using Orange Line. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:40 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:44 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

• Know your stop. Get to the door after State. The next stop is Haymarket. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
• Changing at Downtown Crossing. You don't leave the station. Follow the signs for Orange Line toward Oak Grove.
• Hanover Street is the North End's main street. Haymarket is the closest station, across the Rose Kennedy Greenway.
• 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, Downtown Crossing and Haymarket) 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 the North End: common questions

How do I get from South Station to the North End by public transit?

Take the Red Line toward Alewife to Downtown Crossing, then the Orange Line toward Oak Grove to Haymarket, and walk about 8 min. The trip takes about 18 minutes.

How long does it take to get from South Station to the North End?

About 18 minutes on the main route. Walking takes about 23 minutes.

Do I have to change along the way?

Yes, once: at Downtown Crossing. Take the Red Line toward Alewife to Downtown Crossing, then the Orange Line toward Oak Grove to Haymarket, and walk about 8 min.

How often does the Red Line run?

Every 5 min on weekdays during the day, every 7 min on Saturdays and every 8 min on Sundays, on the fall 2026 schedule.

What time is the last train from South Station to the North End?

On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves South Station at 12:44 am and gets to the North End around 12:55 am, using Orange Line. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:40 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:44 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:45 am.

Related routes

• South Station to Faneuil Hall
• South Station to New England Aquarium
• Back Bay Station to the North End
• Logan Airport to the North End
• 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: Orange Line
• MBTA: South Station station
• MBTA: Downtown Crossing station
• MBTA: Haymarket 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.