South Station to Symphony Hall
The T route from South Station to Symphony Hall: where to board, where to change, where to get off and how late it runs.
South Station to Symphony Hall
- Red Line
- Orange Line
- Take the Red LineFrom South Station, toward Alewife1 stop, about 1 min
- Change at Downtown Crossing
- Take the Orange LineToward Forest Hills4 stops, about 6 min
- Get off at Massachusetts AvenueThe stop after Back Bay
- Walk about 6 min to Symphony HallUse the Massachusetts Ave exit
Weekdays, fall 2026 schedule · First and last trips
Quick answer: Take the Red Line toward Alewife to Downtown Crossing, then the Orange Line toward Forest Hills to Massachusetts Avenue, and walk about 6 min. 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 Symphony Hall
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 Forest Hills.
- Ride 4 stops, about 6 min, through Chinatown, Tufts Medical Center and Back Bay, and get off at Massachusetts Avenue.
- Walk about 6 min to Symphony Hall. Use the Massachusetts Ave exit.
Other ways to go
- Take the Providence/Stoughton Line toward Stoughton to Ruggles, and walk about 12 min: about 20 min.
- Take the Franklin/Foxboro Line toward Foxboro via Back Bay to Ruggles, and walk about 12 min: about 20 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 | 12:46 am | Every 5 min | About 19 min |
| Friday | 4:20 am | 1:43 am | Every 5 min | About 19 min |
| Saturday | 5:00 am | 1:46 am | Every 7 min | About 19 min |
| Sunday | 6:05 am | 12:47 am | Every 8 min | About 19 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 12:46 am and gets to Symphony Hall around 12:57 am, using Orange Line. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:43 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:46 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:47 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 Back Bay. The next stop is Massachusetts Avenue. 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 Forest Hills.
- Symphony Hall is at Massachusetts and Huntington Avenues.
- 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 Massachusetts Avenue) 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 Symphony Hall: common questions
How do I get from South Station to Symphony Hall by public transit?
Take the Red Line toward Alewife to Downtown Crossing, then the Orange Line toward Forest Hills to Massachusetts Avenue, and walk about 6 min. The trip takes about 19 minutes.
How long does it take to get from South Station to Symphony Hall?
About 19 minutes on the main route. Walking takes about 43 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 Forest Hills to Massachusetts Avenue, and walk about 6 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 Symphony Hall?
On weekdays, the last trip that works leaves South Station at 12:46 am and gets to Symphony Hall around 12:57 am, using Orange Line. On Friday nights it runs later: the last trip leaves at 1:43 am. On Saturday nights the last trip leaves at 1:46 am, and on Sunday nights at 12:47 am.
Related routes
- South Station to Berklee College of Music
- South Station to Northeastern University
- Boston Common to Symphony Hall
- North Station to Symphony Hall
- Never miss your stop (guide)
More routes from South Station
- South Station to Prudential Center
- South Station to Museum of Fine Arts
- South Station to Boston Public Library
- South Station to Back Bay Station
- South Station to Copley Square
- 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: Orange Line
- MBTA: South Station station
- MBTA: Downtown Crossing station
- MBTA: Massachusetts Avenue 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.