oh2doula

Early stages of planning trip to Salem MA next summer. There will be five in our group. We will be flying into Boston and I'm planning to take ferry from Boston into Salem but possibly commuter train- depending on schedules etc. my question is how difficult is it to get from Logan to the commuter train or to the ferry. Will we have to take a bus or subway? What is best route and most cost effective. I've looked also into hiring a car since there will be five of us- it's showing $86 one way.
Really liking the idea of coming in on the ferry but depending on time of flights for being able to do this. Thanks in advance.

Rita

china_cat

why, you should take the airport ferry of course! You can get the ferry from Logan to Long Wharf and then from Long Wharf to Salem.

A taxi would be another alternative, and would cost far less than $86. I think it would be around $25. Even if you needed 2 of them, it would be less. And there will be plenty of taxis at the airport.

Ackislander

I can't figure what you are planning to do with your luggage on this excursion. Are you going o stay in a hotel IN Salem?

If not and you are staying in Boston and this is a day trip, the ride back from Salem on the ferry is in the twilight is better than the ride to Salem.

If you take the train up and the ferry back, you will be deposited on one side of the historic district and return from the other, so there is no back tracking.

Cranachin

Are these 5 adults, or are some children?

Current adult fares for the Boston-Salem ferry are $17 one way and $29 round trip. For seniors and children it's $14/$24. So 5 adults = $85 one way/$145 RT.

That does not include the water taxi fare of $8 each way for everyone over age 12 (that's a discounted rate, from $10, for holders of ferry tickets).

And there are only 5 ferries per day, so depending on your arrival time, you might have to wait 2-3 hours at the terminal for the next one.

http://www.bostonharborcruises.com/s...chedule-rates/

http://www.bostonharborcruises.com/w...chedule-rates/


I think a taxi from Logan to Salem would be more like $50 than $25.


There's a train to Salem from North Station once an hour (more often during morning and evening rush hours). But it's a bit of a hassle to get from the airport to North Station: bus from terminal to Airport T (subway) stop, T Blue Line to State Street, change to Orange Line to go to North Station, then train to Salem. That's schlepping your luggage on/off 1 bus, 2 subway cars, and 1 train car.

Also, Salem Station is on the edge of downtown and sort of awkward to walk to hotels. You'd probably want taxis there.

Cost for subway+train would be around $10 each way at current rates, I think, but it might be more.

http://mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/r...Redisplay+Time

oh2doula

We will be staying in salem. Boston is the nearest airport- coming from MO - correct?? This will be five adults. I'm liking the airport ferry. I did see the ferry isn't very frequent. So much will depend on times of flights which we haven't booked yet. If we took the ferry to salem is it possible to take subway or commuter train directly to Logan? Is there a more direct route that doesn't break the bank?

Cranachin

Yes, Boston is the nearest airport to Salem.

There is not a ferry to Salem from the airport. You have to take a water taxi/water shuttle from Logan to Long Wharf and board the ferry there.

There is also no rail service between Logan and Salem. You have to take the T (subway) from the airport to North Station and then commuter rail (train) from North Station to Salem.

Or you could take a taxi from the airport to Chelsea Station and then take the commuter rail to Salem. The "station" is really just a platform, though, with nowhere to get out of the weather.

Another alternative is to take the 459 bus—it goes from the airport to Salem with no transfer and you won't find a cheaper way, but it takes a little over an hour.

To be honest, a total of $86 for door-to-door (airport to your hotel) for 5 people sounds like a pretty good price to me.

gail

While you did not ask, wondering why the trip is to Salem, and not either Boston or some other North Shore community? How long will you be in Salem? What are you planning to do in Salem without a car to take you to some areas outside the city? For most people, Salem is a day trip, not a travel destination - just want to make sure you know what you are getting.

fun01960

The easiest way to get to Salem from Logan would be a taxi, but since it is outside of city boundaries, it will be pricey. You may get the best price if you call a SALEM taxi

Several taxi companies serve Salem, including Witch City Taxi (508-507-8394) Salem Taxi (987-741-2235) and North Shore Taxi (978-532-2222)

The least expensive way to get to Salem from Logan is to make your way over to Terminal C and lick up the "T" bus #459. Bus cost $4.75 per person, kids 11 & under are free. A Charlie ticket can be used on the bus, but I do not believe it is covered by the 7-day unlimited pass. You can find the schedule on Http://www.mbta.com

Only you know which is best. It makes no sense to travel into the city so you can leave it for Salem. Salem and Logan are on the same side of Boston Harbor. Salem is closer to the airport than it is to downtown Boston. The bis will be cheaper and less time consuming than making your way

Save your ferry ride for when you take a day trip from Salem to Boston. Also, you can get cruises around the Salem area, if that is of interest.

HAPPY PLANNING!

fun01960

Oops, I transposed digits on SALEM Taxi' s phone number. It is 978-741-2235

And, you should call a couple of days ahead of time to arrange for the pickup.

Have fun.

china_cat

just to clarify, the $25 I quoted was for a taxi from Logan to Long Wharf, in case the OP wanted to just take the ferry to Salem from there. I may have misread the original post, I thought the $86 was for a car service to Long Wharf, but maybe she meant all the way to Salem, in which case the price seems quite good.

travelgourmet

Just call a car service. The ferry ride will be circuitous and won't save much, if any money.

oh2doula

$86 was for a van from Logan to salem. We are planning to spend three days in salem. I understand it's a rather small area and we might even still make a trip elsewhere but planning to do couple of the tours, museums, shopping and I have no problem being able to sleep in a bit before heading out for the day and not being rushed. We are interested in all things " witchy" as well as the history, architecture, strolling the streets, vintage shops, the harbor, people watching, museums and maybe local theater.
Bus maybe best bet or yes the $86 van. I will look into short "cruise" from salem

I've tried to find tea rooms but no luck. Anyone know of any?

travelgourmet

I've tried to find tea rooms but no luck.

What is a tea room?

Cranachin

I've tried to find tea rooms but no luck.

What is a tea room?

The Wenham Tea House is where you want to go for afternoon tea.

http://www.wenhamteahouse.com/afternoon.php

Unfortunately, it's not easy to reach from Salem without a car. You can walk (or taxi) to the commuter rail in Salem, then take the Newburyport Line to Hamilton/Wenham. But then you have to walk a mile to the teahouse (at least it's on the same street as the station, but it is the busy main road through the towns) unless you can call ahead for a taxi to meet you there.

Google Maps says it takes 40 minutes doing walk/train/walk, with about 30 minutes of being the walking!

Cranachin

By the way, the Newburyport Line part is important. The Rockport Line also goes through Salem. You want the outbound train (toward Newburyport).

According to the current schedule, the weekday trains you'd want would be at 11:53 or 1:53. Return is at 1:25, 3:04, or 4:54. Saturdays is 11:59 or 1:59 outbound and 1:07, 3:07, or 6:07 for the return.

Afternoon tea is Wednesday through Saturday only.

The Wenham Museum (local history) is across the road from the Tea House if you wanted to go before or after tea. http://www.wenhammuseum.org

There are also a few little shops just down the road from the Tea House (toward Hamilton and the station), and more shops near the station in Hamilton as well.

oh2doula

Thanks Cranachin!