South Station to Porter Square
Plain directions from South Station to Porter Square, checked against the fall 2026 MBTA schedule.
South Station to Porter Square
- Red Line
- Take the Red LineFrom South Station, toward Alewife7 stops, about 16 min
- Get off at PorterThe stop after Harvard
Weekdays, fall 2026 schedule · First and last trips
Quick answer: Take the Red Line toward Alewife to Porter. The trip takes about 19 minutes. On weekdays the Red Line runs every 5 min during the day.
Get the live route from South Station to Porter
Step by step
- At South Station, take the Red Line toward Alewife.
- Ride 7 stops, about 16 min, through Downtown Crossing, Park Street, Charles/MGH, Kendall/MIT, Central and Harvard, and get off at Porter.
Times and frequency
| Day | First trip | Last trip | How often (daytime) | Trip time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday-Thursday | 5:30 am | 12:44 am | Every 5 min | About 19 min |
| Friday | 5:30 am | 1:43 am | Every 5 min | About 19 min |
| Saturday | 5:29 am | 1:44 am | Every 6 min | About 18 min |
| Sunday | 6:14 am | 12:44 am | Every 6 min | 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 the Red Line.
Late at night
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves South Station at 12:44 am and gets to Porter Square around 1:02 am. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:43 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:44 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:44 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 Harvard. The next stop is Porter. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- Porter Square has a Red Line station and a Commuter Rail stop on the Fitchburg Line.
- 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 Porter) 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 Porter Square: common questions
How do I get from South Station to Porter Square by public transit?
Take the Red Line toward Alewife to Porter. The trip takes about 19 minutes.
How long does it take to get from South Station to Porter Square?
About 19 minutes on the main route.
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 Porter Square?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves South Station at 12:44 am and gets to Porter Square around 1:02 am. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:43 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:44 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:44 am.
Related routes
- South Station to Davis Square
- South Station to Harvard Museum of Natural History
- Boston Common to Porter Square
- North Station to Porter Square
- Never miss your stop (guide)
More routes from South Station
- South Station to Longfellow House
- South Station to Harvard Art Museums
- South Station to Harvard Square
- South Station to Tufts University
- South Station to Cambridge Hospital
- All routes from South Station
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: Porter station
- MBTA: fares
- MBTA: elevator and accessibility alerts
Published October 30, 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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