It's not unpleasant as in sketchy - but it is a very hectic area and you'll be crossing/walking along some busy streets.

Note that you could also descend the Amtrak train at the Back Bay Station (no change in your ticket) and take the Orange Line T to State Street or Haymarket, if that puts you close to your hotel... (Depends on which side of Faneuil Hall you need to be on.)

It can be a very pleasant walk--you can walk on the Rose Kennedy Greenway all the way.

http://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/files/2713/0084/1069/web_wayfinding.gif

A longer walk would be along the harbor.

If you don't have a lot of luggage and the weather cooperates, it's doable. If you're tired or it's raining, it's a short cab ride.

I would definitely walk via the Rose Kennedy Greenway. I think it'll be a very nice stroll! It shouldn't take more than 10-15 minutes.

It depends on when you arrive.

At rush hour, you will be walking against the flow of thousands of commuters rushing to their trains. Between 9 and 4:30, it will be no problem.

I used to live in one of the waterfront tower blocks near the Aquarium and did it all the time.

In bad weather, I would follow ggreen's advice to leave the Amtrak train at Back Bay Station and take the Orange Line to State Street or Haymarket. Ask your hotel which station is best.

If the weather is poor take the blue line. If the weather is nice, take the silverline and enjoy the greenway stroll.

If you decide not to walk, a taxi from South Station will be only a few dollars more than 2 MBTA fares, and you won't have to worry about finding your way from the T station to your hotel.

The Blue Line does not go from South Station to Faneuil Hall.

They would have to take the Red Line to Park Street, change to the Green Line to Government Center, then take the Blue Line to State or Aquarium. Lots of steps and difficult to find escalators or elevators.

We could all be more helpful if we knew where they were staying.

Thanks for the help!

Because we'll have wheeled luggage, the choice is between walking or taxi. I have checked the transit options, and won't help for this trip. We'll see how we feel when we get to Boston.

~Liz

Thanks Ack. I misread and thought elberko was coming from airport.

Thanks all!

We decided to walk from South Station to our hotel, Harborside Inn on State St. along the Greenway. It was a very pleasant, easy walk.

~Liz

Glad it worked out!

Does the subway week long pass include the transport from the airport into downtown Boston...sorry to hijack the thread...looks like OP is past her original question!

Deb15July:

The problem is that those who have the answer won't click on this thread. Best to start a new one.

Thx elberko...it's not that important...just thought I'd throw it in for a try. I haven't checked the website yet; was just being lazy!

Deb, the pass includes the subway system from the airport (Blue Line and Silver Line). And actually the Silver Line is free from the airport to South Station until the end of August. Upon arrival at South Station you'll have a free transfer to the Red. Line.

Thanks for reporting back on your walk, elberko.