PA_Kathy

We will be in Cape Cod with friends in October, and they want to spend a day in Boston. But we prefer not to drive, Is there any public transportation? We can drive to a city near Boston to catch a train/bus.

Thanks!

Inakauaidavidababy

There are bus lines, limited rail line and a ferry to p'town, and of course plains

starrs

The ferry to/from Provincetown. Service ends Oct. 19th.
http://www.baystatecruisecompany.com/schedule-fares.php

PA_Kathy

Unfortunately my friend suffers from severe sea-sickness, so the ferry is out.

I can't seem to find info about bus or train. Any guidance would be welcome.

Thanks for the replies.

china_cat

The Cape Flyer is the Hyannis-Boston line, but the schedule is extremely limited:
http://capeflyer.com/

I think you could drive to somewhere like Plymouth to pick up the commuter rail. Check out commuter rail maps here:
http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/
I'm just not certain which station is the easiest to get to. Plymouth is just a guess on my part.

Another option might be to drive all the way to Braintree which is the terminus of the red line. That would make for more convenient connections.

Personally, its going to be a long day...I'd drive all the way to Boston, park someplace relatively close to the highway and be able to leave when I wanted to without figuring out complicated connections. Just avoid rush hour and its really not so bad.

330east

Check out a Plymouth and Boston Railway Co. (Busses)-has stops in Hyannis and also Peter Pan Bus line

330east

Sorry. That's Plymouth and Brockton Railway Co.

Nikki

Bus schedules here:

http://www.p-b.com/schedules.html

You can park at the stop in Barnstable, which is at exit 6 off Route 6 behind the Burger King. Buses go to South Station in Boston.

Ackislander

The P&B buses are very reliable in both directions, though subject to traffic of course.

The drivers know every sneak-around and short cut in case there should be an accident.

You can pick them up at the Transportation Center in Hyannis or as Nikki describes at the US 6-MA 28 interchange in Barnstable.

They go all the way to and from Logan, should you ever need to do that. You can use a credit card in Hyannis or South Station but must have cash at the intermediate stops.

For several years I commuted weekly from Nantucket to Boston, and P&B never let me down.

I would never drive to Plymouth or Braintree to take commuter rail or the T. Bring a book, bring you music and headphones, let the driver do the work.

Nikki

In case you are looking at a map to figure out where the bus stop is, exit 6 off route 6 is at the intersection of route 132 (not 28).

AGM_Cape_Cod

If it is before Columbus Day try to go on a day other than Sunday since there could still be weekend traffic getting off the Cape.

I take the commuter rail from Kingston, MA into Boston for work. The station is at exit 8 off of route 3 and very convenient to the highway. You do have to pay for parking in addition to the train fare.

http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_ma...route=KINGSTON

Probably the bus from West Barnstable/Exit 6 would be more convenient.

capecod73

where on the cape are you staying? As others have mentioned either the bus at exit 6, or drive off cape and take the commuter train from kingston. But if youre down in the falmouth/mashpee area either a bus from falmouth or at the bourne bridge make the most sense.

PA_Kathy

Thank you all for the very good info. We are staying in Yarmouth. I will look into the bus routes suggested. But I'm tending to agree that it would be a very long day!

gail

Do this on a T-W-TH; traffic on M and F, even in October is much worse.

marvelousmouse

I experience seasickness too, and was pleasantly surprised to find that the ferry between Boston and Cape Cod was a very tame ride (in comparison to some of the Washington state ferries at least). Was glad to take it- much more pleasant than riding in the bus.

Ackislander

Folks, this is not the FungWah bus.

It carries commuters from the Cape -- yes, Falmouth or Hyannis/Barnstable -- to and from work in Boston.

The P-Town to Long Wharf ferry is fine if it is still running when you want to go, BUT if you are in Falmouth, it is a l-o-n-g way to Provincetown.

The P-Town ferry is great on a beautiful day, especially on a hot Sunday afternoon when party time prevails. But on a chilly, windy day, not so much! Think of it as an experience, not as a way of getting to Boston and back.

But you don't have to make up your mind until the time.

PA_Kathy

Ackislander, sorry but I don't get the "FungWah bus" reference. I do understand that the bus route mentioned in several posts is a commuter line.

Thanks to everyone who responded - I think I have enough info now for us to make an informed decision once we're in MA. It may be that my friend will decide there is enough to do on the Cape - I think so!

Ackislander

FungWah buses are among the lines that run-- I think this one has just gone out of business -- from Chinatown to Chinatown and frequently make the news when they catch fire or turn over on the highways.

These news stories are the only experience many non-city people have with buses, which is why I argued the point. Some of the responses to your original question leered lacking.

tchoiniere

Ackislander, Fung Wah is back in operation. Saw a few this weekend on I84.

hadleyfarm

Hi Folks -

I'm considering a year-round relocation to the Cape (Mashpee,MM,Hyannis. I work in Boston and wanted to get a few pointers about commuting (by bus) throughout the year.

Best places to park - (i.e., stop in Barnstable, at exit 6 off Route 6 behind the Burger King?, Other?)

Travel times to avoid (if possible)? -
Monthly commuter pass?
Where to sit on the bus (for 1.5 hours or more)?

Also, I'm a 55+ professional male - will be looking for an apartment of house share. Can you suggest what areas-towns I should look at to live?

Thanks!