Im going to Boston 9/20 to the 23rd for a mini vacation..Im driving up and Im not sure if it would be best to stay in the city and pay for parking. I'll be using pubic transportation cause I think it will be easier..or if I should stay out of the city cause Ive noticed that parking is free at those hotels and take the train in to the city. Any Ideas???

If you do stay outside the city, try to choose a hotel with access to the subway system rather than the commuter rail trains, which cost a lot more and run less often, especially on weekends. And check on the actual access between the hotel and public transit; some of them use shuttles that aren't completely reliable.

I'm not from Boston but did live for a long time in the suburbs of a major city - here's my $.02:

If you want to spend a good portion of your morning and afternoon (or early evening) acting like a commuter by all means stay at a hotel out of the city. If, on the other hand, you want to enjoy the city as a tourist should then stay at a hotel in the city. Personally, my time, comfort and convenience is worth more to me than saving a few dollars on parking. I just can't see going on vacation only to do much of the same thing I do every other weekday during the year - COMMUTE TO THE CITY DURING RUSH HOUR!!!!

It really does depend on your budget. Its much nicer to stay in the city, and more relaxing. If you can afford it, you should do it. But obviously, it will cost more.

and yes, you have the right idea...once you are IN downtown Boston, park the car and forget about it. Use public transportation or walk.

Thanks alot. I think Im just gonna pay more and stay in the city. I dont really have a specific hotel so I think im just going to go by some tips and try priceline. I read in another post section 4 and 6 is the best so I think i'll just try that

Excellent decision - I have warned forever about the time perils of staying outside Boston - always based on a need to save money (which I can compoletely understand considering what hotels in Boston costs).

And RoamsAround said it far better than I ever have.

IMO it would have been helpful to know where you are "driving up" from....unless it is really close sometimes with the cost of gas and parking it can actually still be easier to fly...but have a great trip anyway.

I visit frequently, and always stay in Danvers. I then drive to Revere to the Wonderland Subway, plenty of parking, since the Racetrack is the overflow, $3-4 for all day parking. $1.70 for the t.

Very worthwhile for me, the Motel 6 is a very nice budget hotel, around $70 frequently. More than 50% less than staying in Boston.

Im driving up from new jersey. Theres going to be 3 or 4 of us so were just going to split gas and parking prices.