Driving in Boston vs Cab/Bus
Oct 27th, 2011, 06:05 PM
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Driving in Boston vs Cab/Bus
To go along with my earlier message about being a Boston rookie: what is driving in Boston like? If I fly, do I rent a car or take an airport shuttle/cab? If I drive, how bad is driving/parking in Boston?
Oct 27th, 2011, 06:28 PM
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If you are staying in the city you do NOT rent a car. its difficult to drive, expensive to park, and definitely not for the faint of heart. definitely take a cab or mass transit to your hotel.
If you want to day trip out to the 'burbs somewhere, rent a car for the day.
If you want to day trip out to the 'burbs somewhere, rent a car for the day.
Oct 27th, 2011, 07:19 PM
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I will state unequivocally that Boston is the US city in which you LEAST want to have a car while visiting. The roads are confusing (no surprise when you consider they were originally designed to follow cattle trails), the drivers are crazy, and parking is licensed robbery. In addition, mass transit and walking will get to anywhere in Boston faster and cheaper than using a car.
In case you didn't catch it, let me sum up my statement: you DO NOT want to rent a car in Boston.
In case you didn't catch it, let me sum up my statement: you DO NOT want to rent a car in Boston.
Oct 27th, 2011, 08:22 PM
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You won't need a car to get around Boston proper. You can take an airport shuttle, a taxi, or public transportation to your hotel. We can advise you better if we know where you are staying. The central part of Boston is fairly compact. What do you plan to do during your stay?
I am a Boston driver, am not crazy, and usually can find reasonable parking--
I am a Boston driver, am not crazy, and usually can find reasonable parking--
Oct 28th, 2011, 01:53 AM
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Agree with all of above - including last sentence above (I am a Boston driver, not crazy...). The real answer is there is no reason for a visitor to drive in Boston.
And don't get any "creative" ideas about staying outside of Boston and driving in each day and parking car - equally insane and expensive. Distances from the city proper do not reasonable transfer to time of commute. I live 20 miles north of Boston and am a homecare RN whose huge territory occasionally includes Boston. It can take me anywhere from 25 minutes to 2 hours to drive to Boston.
And don't get any "creative" ideas about staying outside of Boston and driving in each day and parking car - equally insane and expensive. Distances from the city proper do not reasonable transfer to time of commute. I live 20 miles north of Boston and am a homecare RN whose huge territory occasionally includes Boston. It can take me anywhere from 25 minutes to 2 hours to drive to Boston.
Oct 28th, 2011, 02:28 AM
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It's not so much that Boston drivers are crazy, they just have a different way of interpreting the rules of driving, like you are expected to go through a yellow light and the first couple of cars on red will also probably try to slip by, or if you make eye contact you lose.
There are many one way roads, so the way to go in is not the way you go out, and it seems like some of them change which way they will go. The real bummer is when there is a road closed because of construction or an accident and the route you or your gps planned is no longer available and all the near by roads are one way the other way. At rush hour many of the roads, even interstates become parking lots.
Don't drive into the city unless you are prepared to pay big for parking and deal with traffic.
There are many one way roads, so the way to go in is not the way you go out, and it seems like some of them change which way they will go. The real bummer is when there is a road closed because of construction or an accident and the route you or your gps planned is no longer available and all the near by roads are one way the other way. At rush hour many of the roads, even interstates become parking lots.
Don't drive into the city unless you are prepared to pay big for parking and deal with traffic.
Oct 28th, 2011, 03:07 AM
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A car is worse than worthless in Boston - since you can't use it and will have to pay your hotel $30 or more per night to park it. (I have driven to Boston numerous times - for business or vacation, since that is most convenient for me - and I just put the car in the hotel garage for the duration.)
Stay in a central area so you can walk to some sights and then use the local train - or cab if you really must - to get around.
Stay in a central area so you can walk to some sights and then use the local train - or cab if you really must - to get around.
Oct 28th, 2011, 07:01 AM
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Boston is just not that large, in comparison with other US cities. The things you will want to see while there are mostly on the Freedom Trail, which starts at the State House and wanders through the older parts of the city and can be walked in a few hours.
You can walk from downtown to the Back Bay is probably 45 minutes through Boston Commons and Boston Garden.
The T will take you most places you want to go, including from the airport to your hotel, and it it accessable right at the airport. Depending on where you are staying you may have to change to another line. Probably the fastest way is to take a cab from the airport to the hotel.
I'd add a couple of must sees while there, the Science Museum and the Fine Art Museum. There are also some museums at Harvard worth the trip and the Garnder Museum too.
Have a great time.
You can walk from downtown to the Back Bay is probably 45 minutes through Boston Commons and Boston Garden.
The T will take you most places you want to go, including from the airport to your hotel, and it it accessable right at the airport. Depending on where you are staying you may have to change to another line. Probably the fastest way is to take a cab from the airport to the hotel.
I'd add a couple of must sees while there, the Science Museum and the Fine Art Museum. There are also some museums at Harvard worth the trip and the Garnder Museum too.
Have a great time.
Oct 29th, 2011, 05:15 AM
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..... not so much that Boston drivers are crazy, rather have different way of interpreting the rules ......
YES, emalloy accurately describes the mindset. And as someone who grew up in area, the "T" or taxis are your preferred mode of transportation around the city.
http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/
YES, emalloy accurately describes the mindset. And as someone who grew up in area, the "T" or taxis are your preferred mode of transportation around the city.
http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/
