pocohontas3

I've been reading the forums. We're staying Plymouth and want to go into Boston for 1 or 2 different day trips during our 5 days in Plymouth. We have a Sunday and then 4 weekdays from which to choose. I believe there is a train from Plymouth with limited weekend service and a T stop in Braintree with commuter traffic and parking jams? on weekdays. So, which two days and how/where to pick up the public transportation. Family of 5, by the way.

Thanks!

Anonymous

By the time you pay for garage parking and T fares for 5 people, you might as well pay for parking in the city. Even more so, for paying Commuter Rail fares from Plymouth into town (about $15 per person round trip).

If you want to drive up to Braintree and take the subway, go on Sunday; on weekdays, the parking garage fills up early.

pocohontas3

any tips on parking garages to use in the city? We are thinking to tour the North end and maybe visit the Aquarium. We will have a Suburban to park...that can be tricky in cities.

china_cat

well, one of the cheapest and easiest to get to, is the garage underneath Boston Common. On the other hand, that's not all that convenient to the places you are going to.

If there is nothing going on at Boston Garden, you might park at North Station, I'm not sure howthe price is, but again it will be easy to find, and very close to the North End.

Do NOT park in the lot by the Aquarium. that has to be the MOST expensive lot in the city, a complete rip-off.

HKP

I'd pay NOT to have to drive into Boston, even for free parking. Stick with the train if you can, and be aware that driving into Boston on a Sunday puts you together with people returning from the Cape unless you start early in the morning.

djkbooks

On the weekends, you can park in the financial district for $9/day.

You may want to consider parking at Quincy Center Station and taking the T (Red Line) from there. Parking is only $5. Not sure if the lot fills with commuters during the week, though you'd probably want to wait until after morning rush hour to drive there.

Driving into Boston, getting the car parked, and driving out on a weekday can be quite daunting and very frustrating.

Or, you may want to consider the Route 128 commuter rail station. To my recollection, parking is $3, fare is $4.75, children 11 and under ride free. The lot is enormous and I've never found it full.

Maximum rate last we were there at Boston Common Garage was $27, $11 on Saturday or Sunday.

Here's a map of parking lots/garages in/near the North End

http://www.northendboston.com/parking-garages.htm

Anonymous

IMHO, it makes no sense to drive to the Route 128 station instead of going straight into Boston; each destination is about 40 miles from Plymouth.

Taking the commuter rail from the Route 128 station into Boston would add a half hour to the trip, and cost $10 (round trip) per person plus the garage fee, in addition to scheduling constraints. Even the infamous $34 parking garage next to the Aquarium would be cheaper than that.

gail

I would go on a Sunday and then a T, W or Th (traffic is worse M and F). Plan your Sunday sight seeing carefully, as some things do not open as early. Definitely drive in on Sunday - make your decision on other day based on personal preferences. There are basically 3 ways to get from Plymouth to Boston:

1. Commuter rail (from Plymouth). Advantages - easy. Disadvantages - need to get to/from commuter rail stop and parking fills early (although less so in summer); limiited service outside of rush hour; expense

2. T stop in Braintree or Quincy. Advantages - cheaper; more frequent service than commuter rail. Disadvantages - parking may be an issue; still may get stuck in traffic Plymouth to "T"

3. Drive. Advantages - you have your car to stow stuff in (packages, rain gear); less expensive than commuter rail; schedule flexibility. Disadvantages - possible traffic.

If it were me, I would do the Sunday first and drive in. Parking is cheaper on w/e and you may even snag a street space. You can also do a trial run on the route when there is little traffic. If you are comfortable with this drive, then drive in on your weekday as well. Park at Boston Common garage.

The driving horror stories you hear about Boston more involve driving AROUND/IN the city rather than INTO/OUT OF the city - you can certainly drive from Plymouth to a parking garage without having a stroke if you have any city driving experience and get good directions.

If it is rainy, traffic will be worse. Leave Plymouth around 9 AM and do not leave Boston until after 6 PM. Avoid driving in on a Monday or Friday. There is a high occupancy lane (HOV) lane on Rte 93 that you can use with 5 in the car.

bennnie

Another option for the weekday only is the commuter ferry service from Hingham (just north of Plymouth). Service is not available on weekends unfortunately. But you do get a nice boat ride with service to Rowe's Wharf (right near the Aquarium, Quincy Market, North End and Children's Museum) and only pay $1 to park. Fares are $6 each way for adults, less for kids. Check out bostonharborcruises.com and look for the commuter schedule.

pocohontas3

gail:
We are leaning toward driving in on the Sunday of our trip. I agree about scoping out the place to see if we want to drive in again on a weekday. Thanks for tip on avoiding Monday. Perhaps we'll visit Cape Cod that day.

Boston Common garage - do you know where we would find directions to it?

bennnie:
We will surely look into the boat option for a weekday. Thanks!