Peabody/Salem to Boston using mass transit?
 

Our party of 2 adults and 3 teens will be spending most of our time in the Salem/North Shore area, but would probably like to head into downtown Boston for a day or two. If we stay in Peabody, and have a car, how practical is it to drive to a transit station and take the subway into Boston? I understand you can park at the commuter train station in Salem and take the train to North station, then catch the T into downtown. <BR><BR>Are we going to regret trying to get downtown this way? Is there an easier way to get into the downtown area (for seeing the Freedom Trail and Cambridge mainly)? Peabody seems to have reasonable hotel rates for a party of our size, and is closest to what we will spend the majority of our time seeing. Is there a northern suburb that would make more sense for us (closer to the T) but still convenient to Salem?

You can get to Downtown Boston easily via the commuter rail. See www.mbta.com. There's a station conveniently located in Salem with a large parking lot.

You can get to Downtown Boston easily via the commuter rail. See www.mbta.com. There's a station conveniently located in Salem with a large parking lot. You can walk to the Freedom Trail from North Station.

Thanks, Donna! From the brochures I read, it sounded like a good way to go, but you never know...<BR><BR>Thanks for the input.

Good idea about MBTA train from Salem. Just call (there is probably some sort of info number on the MBTA website where you can speak with a real person)and determine if there are spaces left on weekdays after 7 or 8 AM - many stations, even with huge lots fill up with commuters by that time.

If you do use the commuter rail, buy a family rountrip ticket. With a party of five you will save a couple of bucks.

Another vote for the commuter rail... But be mindful of the schedule, and plan around it. The automobile traffic to and from the North Shore is usuallly horrific, so the commuter rail is the way to go.<BR>

Tourist,<BR><BR>Definitely take the train to North station. There is T station right there to easily get to other parts of Boston and you can easily walk from north station to Fanuel Hall/Quincy market area as it is only a few blocks.

Thank you everyone! I appreciate all your great input!