Boston using MBTA Red Line with Luggage

[travel dog]

We will be arriving pre-cruise in Boston (South Station) on Amtrack around 9:30 p.m. and need to get to our hotel (John Jeffries House, right across from Mass General Hospital). 2 adults - we will each have wheeled luggage (probably 1 large and 1 small + purse or backpack). If we can wheel them on a level surface there is no problem - lifting the large piece or carrying it up or down stairs would be a significant problem.

 

Couple of questions:

--- Should we even think about taking the Red Line from South Station to Charles/MGH stop? Concern is two-fold: 1) at that hour would we be able to get 'Charlie' card - or whatever is best - to use for several days until the cruise? 2) is getting into the subway cars on the level, so we could just wheel our luggage, or would we have to go up steps? I ask because when we were there last, taking the subway from Quincy into Boston, the cars required going up several, rather steep steps.

-- A taxi fare finder page suggests the taxi fare for the trip would be around $10 or $11. Does that sound right? We might be better off taking a taxi that night and getting our Charlie Card (or whatever) at the Charles/MGH station the next morning.

 

Thanks for any help! It wouldn't worry me too much except for the late hour of arrival.

[138east]

We will be arriving pre-cruise in Boston (South Station) on Amtrack around 9:30 p.m. and need to get to our hotel (John Jeffries House, right across from Mass General Hospital). 2 adults - we will each have wheeled luggage (probably 1 large and 1 small + purse or backpack). If we can wheel them on a level surface there is no problem - lifting the large piece or carrying it up or down stairs would be a significant problem.

 

Couple of questions:

--- Should we even think about taking the Red Line from South Station to Charles/MGH stop? Concern is two-fold: 1) at that hour would we be able to get 'Charlie' card - or whatever is best - to use for several days until the cruise? 2) is getting into the subway cars on the level, so we could just wheel our luggage, or would we have to go up steps? I ask because when we were there last, taking the subway from Quincy into Boston, the cars required going up several, rather steep steps.

-- A taxi fare finder page suggests the taxi fare for the trip would be around $10 or $11. Does that sound right? We might be better off taking a taxi that night and getting our Charlie Card (or whatever) at the Charles/MGH station the next morning.

 

Thanks for any help! It wouldn't worry me too much except for the late hour of arrival.

 

Both stations are accessible with elevators and escalators. That means even access to the platforms and trains with no steps.

 

Honestly I don't know if you can find someone to give you a Charlie Card that late at night. Amtrak is not known for always being on time - it could easily be after 10 pm when you're off the train. $10-11 sounds like a reasonable cab fare and I would probably opt for that.

 

I would definitely consider going to the port via the Red Line and Silver Line if you can lift your luggage up and down one low step. I do this all the time to go to Logan Airport. You will know if this is possible for yourselves once you see the Charles/MGH T station. South Station definitely has elevator and escalator access up one level to the Silver Line Platform. It is easiest if you get on the rear doors of the SL2 Silver Line bus to go to Black Falcon.

[Luna]

You can get your Charlie cards at the machines that dispense them. When you get off the Amtrak train (at ground level), go inside the building and ask an employee where they are located. Also ask where the elevators are (which, thanks to the ADA are at all T stops now).

[138east]

The machines dispense Charlie Tickets, not Charlie Cards. The Charlie Cards are available as follows. Sometimes if you can find a T employee in a station, they will have some Charlie Cards, but you can't rely on that.

 

Where Can I Find A CharlieCard?

CharlieCard Distribution Locations

Need a CharlieCard? Ask a Customer Service Agent for a CharlieCard at one of the following Distribution Locations to get yours today:

 

Monday - Friday Saturday Sunday

Alewife 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Arlington 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Ashmont 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Back Bay 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Dudley Square 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Forest Hills 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Harvard Square 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Haymarket 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Kenmore 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 10:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Maverick 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

North Station 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Oak Grove 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Park Street 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Quincy Center 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Ruggles 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

South Station 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

[travel dog]

Thanks, folks -- just what I needed to know! We'll probably wait until we get there to see what time, how tired we are, etc. but it seems we have the choice of either taking a cab and getting a Charlie Ticket 7-day pass (which works best for us) at the Charles/MGH station the following morning -- or -- getting our pass from the machines at South Station upon arrival and going to our destination on the Red Line.

 

How nice to have that step all sorted out. It's amazing how one important missing fact can keep you puzzling and indecisive for days. Thank goodness for these Boards where most of that sort of information can be supplied!