South Station to Salem State University
The T route from South Station to Salem State University: where to board, where to change, where to get off and how late it runs.
South Station to Salem State University
- Silver Line SL3
- Blue Line
- Bus 455
- Take the Silver Line SL3From South Station, toward Chelsea4 stops, about 12 min
- Change at Airport station
- Take the Blue LineToward Wonderland6 stops, about 12 min
- Change at Wonderland
- Take bus 455Toward Salem Depot via Central Square57 stops, about 47 min
- Get off at Loring Ave @ Rainbow TerrThe stop after Loring Ave @ Raymond Rd
- Walk about 3 min to Salem State University
Weekdays, fall 2026 schedule · First and last trips
Quick answer: Take the Silver Line SL3 to Airport station, the Blue Line to Wonderland, then bus 455 to Loring Ave @ Rainbow Terr, and walk about 3 min. The trip takes about 93 minutes (86-99 min depending on the connection). On weekdays bus 455 runs about every 30 min during the day.
Get the live route from South Station to Salem State
Step by step
- At South Station, take the Silver Line SL3 toward Chelsea.
- Ride 4 stops, about 12 min. Get off at Airport station, the stop after Silver Line Way.
- At Airport station, change to the Blue Line toward Wonderland.
- Ride 6 stops, about 12 min, through Wood Island, Orient Heights, Suffolk Downs, Beachmont and Revere Beach, and get off at Wonderland.
- At Wonderland, change to bus 455 toward Salem Depot via Central Square.
- Ride about 47 min (57 stops). Get off at Loring Ave @ Rainbow Terr, the stop after Loring Ave @ Raymond Rd.
- Walk about 3 min to Salem State University.
Other ways to go
- Take the Silver Line SL3 to Chelsea, the Newburyport/Rockport Line toward Newburyport to Swampscott, then bus 455 to Loring Ave @ Rainbow Terr, and walk about 3 min: about 87 min.
- Take the Silver Line SL3 to Chelsea, the Newburyport/Rockport Line toward Newburyport to Salem, then bus 455 to Loring Ave opp Rainbow Terr, and walk about 3 min: about 101 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-Friday | 4:31 am | 11:59 pm | About every 30 min | About 93 min |
| Saturday | 5:43 am | 11:16 pm | About every 40 min | About 89 min |
| Sunday | 5:52 am | 10:31 pm | About every 40 min | About 90 min |
First and last trip are when the first bus of the trip leaves South Station, on the fall 2026 schedule. "How often" is for bus 455 (the least frequent part of the trip).
Late at night
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves South Station at 11:59 pm and gets to Salem State University around 1:06 am, using Blue Line and bus 455. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 11:16 pm, and on Sunday nights at 10:31 pm. 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 Loring Ave @ Raymond Rd. The next stop is Loring Ave @ Rainbow Terr. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- Changing at Airport station. You don't leave the station. Follow the signs for Blue Line toward Wonderland.
- Salem State's North Campus is on Lafayette Street in South Salem.
- 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, Airport and Wonderland) 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 and bus. The subway is $2.40 one way, and a local bus is $1.70. Under an MBTA pilot that started September 1, 2026, you can change between bus and subway within 2 hours of your first tap and pay only the highest fare, if you use the same card or phone each time.
- 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 Salem State University: common questions
How do I get from South Station to Salem State University by public transit?
Take the Silver Line SL3 to Airport station, the Blue Line to Wonderland, then bus 455 to Loring Ave @ Rainbow Terr, and walk about 3 min. The trip takes about 93 minutes (86-99 min depending on the connection).
How long does it take to get from South Station to Salem State University?
About 93 minutes on the main route, or 86-99 minutes depending on the connection.
Do I have to change along the way?
Yes, 2 times: at Airport station and Wonderland. Take the Silver Line SL3 to Airport station, the Blue Line to Wonderland, then bus 455 to Loring Ave @ Rainbow Terr, and walk about 3 min.
How often does bus 455 run?
About every 30 min on weekdays during the day, about every 40 min on Saturdays and about every 40 min on Sundays, on the fall 2026 schedule.
What time is the last bus from South Station to Salem State University?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves South Station at 11:59 pm and gets to Salem State University around 1:06 am, using Blue Line and bus 455. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 11:16 pm, and on Sunday nights at 10:31 pm.
Related routes
- South Station to Salem Hospital
- South Station to Salem Maritime National Historical Park
- North Station to Salem State University
- Back Bay Station to Salem State University
- Never miss your stop (guide)
More routes from South Station
- South Station to The Witch House
- South Station to Salem Witch Museum
- South Station to Revere Beach
- South Station to Square One Mall
- South Station to Belle Isle Marsh
- 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: Silver Line SL3
- MBTA: Blue Line
- MBTA: bus 455
- MBTA: South Station station
- MBTA: Airport station
- MBTA: Wonderland 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.
Leaving now? Cobblehop gives you one clear plan with live times and alerts you before your stop. No sign-up, nothing to install.