South Station to North Station
The T route from South Station to North Station: where to board, where to change, where to get off and how late it runs.
Quick answer: Take the Red Line toward Alewife to Downtown Crossing, then the Orange Line toward Oak Grove to North Station. The trip takes about 11 minutes. On weekdays the Red Line runs every 5 min during the day. Walking takes about 25 minutes, so on a nice day you may not need the T at all.
Get the live route from South Station to North Station
Step by step
- At South Station, take the Red Line toward Alewife.
- Ride 1 stop, about 1 min to Downtown Crossing.
- At Downtown Crossing, change to the Orange Line toward Oak Grove.
- Ride 3 stops, about 4 min, through State and Haymarket, and get off at North Station.
Times and frequency
| Day | First trip | Last trip | How often (daytime) | Trip time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday-Thursday | 5:00 am | 1:20 am | Every 5 min | About 11 min |
| Friday | 5:00 am | 2:18 am | Every 5 min | About 11 min |
| Saturday | 5:00 am | 2:14 am | Every 7 min | About 11 min |
| Sunday | 5:46 am | 1:16 am | Every 8 min | About 11 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 1:20 am and gets to North Station around 1:29 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 Haymarket. The next stop is North Station. 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.
- North Station sits under TD Garden. The Orange and Green Lines are underground and the Commuter Rail tracks are on the main level.
- 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 North Station) 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 North Station: common questions
How do I get from South Station to North Station by public transit?
Take the Red Line toward Alewife to Downtown Crossing, then the Orange Line toward Oak Grove to North Station. The trip takes about 11 minutes.
How long does it take to get from South Station to North Station?
About 11 minutes on the main route. Walking takes about 25 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 North Station.
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 North Station?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves South Station at 1:20 am and gets to North Station around 1:29 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
- North Station to South Station
- South Station to TD Garden
- South Station to the North End
- Back Bay Station to North Station
- Getting to TD Garden by T (guide)
- 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: North Station 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.