Boston: from BU to South Station
 

What is the approximate travel time from Boston University to the South Station downtown during the late morning hours? Is it quicker to take the T or taxi?
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

It would probably be quicker to take a taxi, since you have to transfer from the green line. It also is not very far, figure a 15 minute ride.

wantsomesun, thanks for the info.
I will probably get done at BU around 11am or shortly after,on a Friday, trying to see if it is possible to make the Amtrak train that leaves South Station at 11:40am. It will be rushed, and it is the last train out for that day.
The other option from Boston to syracuse is via US Airways, and , the way how USAirways is going with the bankruptcy, I am a bit nervous about booking with them.

Most of the trains that leave from South Station also stop at Back Bay station five minutes later, and halfway between BU and South Station. Furthermore, the station is much smaller -- i.e., the sprinting distance between cab and train. If your train stops at Back Bay, your odds of catching it there are much better.

We've been assuming that you'll be departing from sommewhere in the middle of the main campus, BUT BU is a big place, especially once you get into the medical buildings. Do you know the address or name of the school/building you'll be leaving from? Some of the medical buldings are actually quite close to South Station.

Anonymous, I will be leaving from the college of Fine Arts, 855 Commonwealth Ave.
Is this address easy to get to South Station. I have to check to see if the train stops at Back Bay Station.

I just checked the amtrak site, looks like the same train stops at Back Bay. that will give me an extra 5 minutes!!

I prefer to board the Amtrak at the originating station, where I have the best choice of seats. Some of the trains are almost full as they leave South Station. You may wish to consider that in making your decision.

Definitely take a cab if you have that short a time. BU to Back Bay should only be a 15 minute ride or so. And like someone said, Back Bay is much easier to navigate than South Station.
~A BU alum who's taken many a train to NY!

The OP is heading to Syracuse, not NYC, so train is much less likely to be full. I personally would rather take a chance on an unfavorable seat (whatever that is) rather than missing the train.

On the Lakeshore Limited you can check your bags ahead of time at South Station. I don't know if you'd want to make an early morning trip to So Station just for this, but if you did you wouldn't have to be lugging bags when you are actually boarding the train. Those trains (#448/449) are often close to capacity as well. Amtrak has started using just a standard coach for the run between Boston & Albany and you change trains in Albany, boarding the NYC/Chicago (#48/49) whereas they used to join the two sections at Albany. They seem to use as few coach cars as necessary between Alb & Bos

Thank you all for your help.
Are taxis plentiful on the streets in Boston so that I can just wave my arm...voila!! or do I need to phone to have one sent (how they do it here, yuk!)

I would call to have one waiting for you as close to 11am as possible. Why risk anything and lose time? I would also strongly recommend taking the cab to Back Bay and not South Station. Even at the risk of getting a less than desirable seat you'll save time. 40 minutes for this distance is just safe enough I think to include those surprise traffic hang-ups or luggage fumbles or bathroom emergencies or water purchases.

i don't believe there is a cab stand very close to SFA (maybe it's called something else now). although comm ave usually has a steady stream of cabs running by, i would call ahead to be safe. when you really need one fast, they tend to be must less frequent!

you have much less potential traffic delays going to back bay as compared to south station.