How easy is it to get to the Boston airport in the morning from the downtown hotels? I would like to be conveniently located to all the interesting sights/shopping,etc. but wonder if it would be wiser to get a hotel near the airport and take a taxi in to see the sights. Thanks.

The train is the best way to get around. From downtown some hotels have shuttle service and if not you can jump on the blue line "t" and take the FREE shuttle that drops you off right in front of the terminal you need. Super convenient.A taxi in my opinion is a waste of money and time. Stuck in big dig traffic and spend roughly $20.00 when you could spend nothing.At the airport there is nothing there, I don't recommend staying there. Downtown will be a more rewarding visit.

You'll have no trouble getting a cab in the early morning to get to the airport, so stay in a hotel that's convenient to most of your planned activities, not at hte airport.

And a word of warning -- some of the hotels that have "boston" and/or "airport" in their names are in suburbs up to 10 miles away and are not very accessible to the usual tourist activities. Don't stay in Saugus, etc.

Sandra's right, the T is much cheaper than a taxi, a token costs just $1.

But i don't agree that it's convenient, especially with luggage. The Airport stop is on the Blue Line of the subway system, and most hotels aren't, so you have a change or two just to get to the Blue Line. Then you have to get off the subway at the Airport stop and take the shuttle bus that goes around all the terminals. Do this if you want to save a few dollars, but the taxi will save a LOT of effort, and probably won't take any longer, considering the changes.

I think the train vs taxi really just depends on the type of traveller you are. Changing trains in Boston does not require too much effort in my opinion. The train system in Boston is really easy to navigate.Yes you do have to go to all the terminals but it's cheap and air conditioned,some cabs are not.I have sat in traffic from the Theater district (2 minutes from downtown)to the airport plenty of times. I gave up on taxi's.Best of luck.

How early is "early"? The T starts running about 6 AM, and you probably have to get to the airport 2 hours before your flight.

For a really early flight you'll probably beat the in-town "rush hour", and since you'll be heading outbound you'll be opposite the worst of the traffic.

For a quick cab ride to the airport, stay at the waterfront -- Millennium Bostonian, Hyatt Harborside, etc.

Our flight is at 8:21 a.m. so that means getting to the airport by 6:21 UGH! There will be three women traveling together (my mother is 80) so I think it would be easier for her by taxi. Thank you all for your very quick responses.

Do you have any hotel recommendations for convenience to everything?

Although Boston is compact, you will still need to get around by the T or by cab, if you don't want to walk. I suggest you look at the hotels in Copley Square, as its a very nice area to walk around in the evening, and there is also plenty of shopping. Suggestions for hotels: Westin, Marriott Copley Place, the Fairmount Copley Place. Otherwise, if you want to spend the money there is the Four Seasons and the new Ritz Carlton (on Avery Street), both are across the street from the Boston Common. If you want to be close to the Quincy Market, then I would suggest the Millennium Hotel.

Considering that one in your group is elderly, I also like above post for Copley Place hotels. It is an upscale indoor mall with several decent restaurants, air conditioned - a short walk from hotel if you just want to get a snack or shop. Copley Square is also a good location for sightseeing.

Take a cab to the airport - hotel will get one for you and I would not take my mother (who is only a few years younger) with luggage on a trip involving several subway/bus connections to get to airport.

On a weekend an early morning cab should take 10 minutes. On a weekday it could take from 15-45 minutes depending on how early and wacky unexplainable traffic patters.

That being said DO NOT get a hotel in East Boston or near Logan. Your visit will be far better staying on the city side of the tunnel.

I'm with those who recommend staying in the city and taking a taxi to Logan for all the reasons they've mentioned. Highly recommend you try Hotwire or study biddingfortravel.com and giving Priceline a try. With three of you, you'd have to buy two rooms. But, you would get much more favorable rates than shopping via other means. You didn't mention how many nights you are staying or what you mean by "convenient to everything". If you stay anywhere in the Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Copley, Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market, Financial or Waterfront areas, you'll be convenient to everything (and probably more than you'll have time for), though you may want to use the subways or occasional taxi, as opposed to walk.

For sure, recommendations for a one night stay would be considerably different than a five-day or longer stay. Particularly with regard to whether or not you should stay at an airport hotel. No one hotel is "conveniently located to all the interesting sights/shopping, etc." You'll also need two taxis to the airport unless the three of you fit in the back seat and all of your luggage fits in the trunk.