I could use some help with planning a little trip to Boston on Friday. My daughter and I are going to drive up and attend an Open House at Northeastern. I was hoping to use Priceline but I don't know Boston well at all. Should I bid only on Copley Square area? I know that Northeastern is on the Green line. Should I stay somewhere close to that? I'm a neophyte. Do you have any advice?

The Quincy Market/Faneuil Hall area would also put you handy to the Green Line. Hotels in other PL zones might require d transfer to the Green line from some other line, not a big deal.

Just be aware that the Green Line splits into 4 branches and you want the "E" line (Heath Street).

Hi Suki- ditto what Anon said. Even if you stay in Copley, you'll still need to take the T (Green Line "E"). The Financial District/Quincy Market zone is a bit further but only adds perhaps 10 mins to the T ride.

I can't help with Priceline but we just returned from an overnight in Boston - we stayed at the Midtown Hotel which is on Huntington Ave and within walking distance of NU. The rate was wildly reasonable (less than $130 for two) w/AAA plus $18 daily for parking and booked through their webpage. Please note that this was a Sunday stay. We found the room to be clean and comfortable - we've stayed before and have been happy. Reviews are all over the map but the location is wonderful. The Colonnade is also a nearby option and their restaurant (Brasserie Jo) is fun. Take a left out of the lobby and walk two blocks. Easy. You can take the T or walk to Prudential/Copley for shopping, etc. Boston is a great city. Good luck to your daughter at NU. I enjoyed my undergrad years there : )

Thanks for your help. I will check out the Midtown and the Collonade. I saw a Hotwire hotel for $129 a night - Back Bay/Copley Square, 3 - 1/2 stars, restaurant, pool, fitness center, & wireless internet - so I might bid less than that on Priceline and see what happens.

Yikes, before you decide how much to bid, go to one of the sites where people discuss their bids and wins. I like biddingfortravel.com. Recent reports include the Omni Parker House for $92, Back By Hilton for $80, and the 4* Hyatt Regency Copley for $65.

Sorry, clarification: The Hyatt is in Downtown Crossing/Financial district, not Copley. But it's convenient to the Green Line.

Thanks, Anonymous. I use Priceline all the time and do investigate betterbidding and biddingfortravel.

If you go with the mid-town or a Copley hotel you will be a 5-20 minute pleasant walk to NU.

Subways to NU will be outbound lines. There is also an outbound bus from Copley, the 39.

I used Priceline and got the Boston Sheraton for $90. I added rebid zones, etc. It isn't such a great deal but I rarely spend a long time trying to get the absolute best deal so I am happy. It looks pretty close to Northeastern too.

You can easily walk from there, about 10 minutes.

If the weather is bad a cab will cost about the same as two subway tokens.

We finally gave up the tokens and now use 21st-century technology for paying fares. Well, maybe it's 20th-century. But it's not 19th-century anymore!

Anon

You are correct, too may years of token use for me.
On that note, when buying passes it is best to have a credit card.