Buying Boston Commuter Train Tickets
 

My wife and I will be taking the Lowell line train from Woburn into Boston (to North Station), and then back out the same day (on a weekday). I wanted to verify that we can buy tickets on the train after we board - as their web site seems to say, but I'd like to be certain. Also, I was wondering if there is an alternative to buy the tickets before boarding - at the station possibly or elsewhere in the area? I got some good help from several of you on an erlier post that helped me choose this transportation alternative for our one-day trip into Boston; thanks for that and any help you can provide on this one. Jim

The Woburn stop is called anderson/ woburn and is off Int 93.
It has its own ticket office.
This is also the stop for buses to Logan (Logan Express) and Amtrak service to Portland, ME
It has a large commuter parking lot.
You can pay on board the train but there would be a surcharge if the ticket office is open.
See:http://www.mbta.com/fares_and_passes...ns/?loc=Woburn
Have a nice trip.

Verifying that above info is correct. Most (?all) commuter rail stations have a way to buy tickets off the train - often a convenience store near the stop. You can always buy them on the train as well.

If you want to act like you know what you are doing and have bought a ticket prior to boarding, there is a little metal clip thing on the back of the seat in front of you. Place your ticket there and the guy comes around and either takes or punches your ticket - he (never seen a she) will also be happy to answer any questions you might have about where to get on/off, etc.

As far as whether you can buy MBTA commuter rail tickets on-site at a particular station or not, that depends. You can at some but not at others, and there's no easy rule of thumb as to which do and which don't sell tickets. For those stations where you can do so, there's usually a dollar or two surcharge if you buy tickets on the train instead. It's wise to go a little early and see what the circumstance is -- or you can call the MBTA or go to their website to find out the information.

And yes, I have seen female conductors on the MBTA commuter rail trains before -- I can vouch for the fact that they exist.

The station is called Anderson. It would be a good idea to buy round trip tickets at the station. North Station is quite busy, and one can miss their train trying to get through the crowds to buy tickets for the return home. You also avoid the surcharge for buying tickets on the train. The ticket office will most certainly be open. Make sure to allow enough time to pay for your parking at Anderson. The spaces are numbered and you go to a vending type machine and insert several dollars. Hope you enjoy your visit.

Thank you joethekay, gail, bachslunch and mumser81. We will definitely get to the station early to have time to learn the pay-for-parking machine (good advice), find the ticket booth, buy a round-trip ticket (more good advice), and look like we are experienced by using the metal clip on the back of the seat. With this last bit of information we are ready to be first-timers on the MBTA. Thanks again, Jim