What is the best way to get from Logan to a hotel in the Back Bay? Is it be the subway, a taxi or a shuttle?

Best depends on yoru budget and luggage!

There's a free shuttle bus that circulates among the terminals and the nearest subway station. This station is on the Blue Line, and Back Bay includes stops on the Orange and Green lines, so you'd have to make one transfer depending on which hotel. Total cost $1.25.

We took a cab on one of the first trips we made to Boston. We stayed at the Westin in Back Bay (which is also across the street from the Boston Public Library). The cost for this ride was approx. $25.00 considering airport fees and the tunnel toll fees, plus a $5.00 tip for the driver, bringing it to $30.00. (I don't think this was even a 5 mile drive!)

We figured out the subway and made the return trip to the airport that way.

If you are comfortable with this form of transportation, by all means save yourself some money. It really wasn't very complicated. They have a website, I believe is MBTA.com. But I wouldn't attempt this if your have several bags and are traveling alone.

Take the shuttle bus to the subway and go from there. Very easy!!

Taxi, no question. If you have to worry about the cost of transportation from Logan, why are you even going to an expensive destination like Boston?!

Sorry to be so blunt, but it's the ugly truth. This is not a cheap town...!

OUCH !!
If I avoided "expensive cities" I would never leave home...
I use Priceline, usually don't rent a car and avoid the expensive
restaurants..
I usually use a shuttle or taxi from airport to hotel ---from then on I use public transit. I am a senior citizen and usually travel alone. (husband won'y fly ) and have now been in 47 of our 50 states..
Have a great time.

Just remembered---(senior moment??)
go to www.massport.com/logan/getti
and click on transportation to and from Logan..
Lots of choices ---
I have used Logan/Boston Hotel Shuttle (last year cost $11 plus tip.)..There are phone numbers to call for info..
For return to Logan the
concierge/front desk at your hotel will arrange..

I agree with traveler's response to rjw's rather silly comment about expense -- it's economies like Priceline and public transit that make it very feasible to visit places that have a reputation for being expensive!

Expensive for what? Hotels and restaurants? Apparently rjw also avoids NY, San Francisco, Hawaii, and Wash DC, because the hotel and upper-end restaurant costs are comparable or worse than Boston. Otherwise, getting around Boston on mass transit is economical and efficient, most of the tourist attractions are appropriately priced (except maybe the Duck Tour, which is still worth doing), and there are scads (which is way more than "a lot") of not-so-expensive restaurants -- it's a student city, among other things.

I took shuttle both ways, with the luggage I didn't dare to brave the stairs! It was about $12-15 each way (per person). To go to hotel I waited maybe 10 minutes for a shuttle to show up - did not make advance reservation, just waited at Logan. To go back I called an 800 number and told them at what time to pick me up. The shuttle was 15' early!

i thought how fun it would be to take the $10 water taxi across the bay to the waterfront hotels. if that is near where you need to go, and the time of year is amiable, i would defintely opt for that.

i was shocked at how close the airport is to downtown if you cross in straight line across water!!!

soccr: Who says I avoid going to Boston, NYC, SF, DC, Honolulu, Miami Beach or wherever? I'm simply pointing out that Boston is not a cheap town. I've gone there on a budget, sure, but I also know that even the dingiest hotels charge a premium rate. Like the other pricey destinations. And for most of the pricey destinations, good restaurants are exorbitantly expensive, and the cheap ones are at best mediocre. I don't think it's silly to point out that a taxi from Logan isn't ridiculously expensive, and I'd rather spend my time enjoying myself in Boston (a city I adore, no matter the price-- it's worth it!).

They have, or will shortly, stop running some of the water taxi lines - do not know which ones, but check before you count on it (low ridership)

During rush hours, especially AM, a taxi could take longer than the T.

Thank-you for all of your advice. The shuttles sound like the way to go as I'll be dragging a bit of luggage with me. Thank-you Taveler24 for mentionning www.massport.com/logan/getti - that site was quite helpful.

I guess it also depends on how many people are travelling. In my case we have 3 people in our party visitng Boston in May. I figure that if a shuttle costs $12 each it is CHEAPER to get a cab for $30 which amounts to $10 per person.