Travel: Boston and Beyond
Transportation in Boston
Local Buses
During her time at MIT, this CMI-er needed only 2 buses, the ‘1’ and the ‘CT1’. Both these buses travel along Mass. Ave. and have a stop outside the main entrance of MIT. The number 1 bus travels from Dudley Station (Boston) to Harvard Square, while the CT1 runs between Dudley Station (Boston) and Central Square. The CT1 is a limited stop bus. The buses are quite regular but don’t be surprised if 3 turn up at once! And don’t rely too heavily on the posted timetable.
These local buses have a flat rate charge of 75¢ per journey. However they do not give change. If you are taking the bus regularly, MIT subsidises bus passes and you can sign up to receive a monthly pass at the MIT Transportation Office. Last year the pass cost $9.95 a month and was charged to the student's MIT account each month.
Unfortunately, the large blue buses that travel along Mass. Ave. are for Harvard students only and you must show a Harvard ID to be able to travel on them.
MIT Safe Ride
MIT provides a free minibus service to transport MIT students between Campus and the Independent Living Groups. There are 4 minibuses that run every night between 7pm and 3am, departing from 77 Mass. Ave. approximately every half an hour.
Each of the 4 minibuses have a set route and you can jump on and off at any stop. 2 buses head over Harvard Bridge into Boston, while the other 2 travel around the Cambridge Area. It is important to get on the right bus and each one is labelled above its front tyre ‘Boston East’, ‘Boston West’ or ‘Cambridge’ depending on its route.
“As a consequence of a hack in 1327, Harvard Bridge is nowhere
near Harvard University but rather, next to MIT.”
– Prof. Pontier, MIT
Walking
Boston is a much bigger city than Cambridge, England; but MIT is conveniently located in Cambridge (Massachusetts), next to the Charles River, overlooking Boston on the opposite banks. One can walk to most places within reasonable time and it is often quite scenic to boot.
Typical walking times from MIT to various popular local destinations:
• Back Bay (pubs, frats, overpriced boutiques): 10 minutes over Harvard Bridge (the bridge that connects the Boston and Cambridge halves of Mass. Ave.)
• Downtown Boston (Boston Common, restaurants, cinema, shopping): 30 minutes over Longfellow Bridge (the bridge closer to the East side of campus)
• Harvard Square (Harvard University, bars, restaurants, coffee houses, shopping): 30 minutes up Mass. Ave.
Bicycles
A quick way of travelling between West and East campus, or over Harvard Bridge, bicycles are much less popular than in Cambridge. Should you brave it on two wheels, watch out for Boston drivers. They may or may not be looking out for pesky cyclists.
Taxis
Unless you have lots of luggage, it is getting late, you are in the middle of nowhere, or just plain lazy, the “T” is often as quick as taxis, and far cheaper.
Almost all taxis are yellow or white, big and well regulated. Galleria to East Campus costs about $6. Rides across Harvard Bridge in a storm, $3. Airport from MIT (flat rate) about $18 + luggage charges. On top of this you are expected to tip 15%. Don’t expect small change, much less ask for it. But if you don’t tip well, expect to be chided. (“Boston is an expensive city, you know!?”)
The “T” (The T is the underground system by the way)
Firstly, the writer wishes to point out his aversion towards maps, directions and the like, and had to use a compass to get around Manhattan, New York. So if you are a true Londoner and can navigate the Underground while very drunk, then no one – much less this writer – qualifies to tell you about this subject, but then again you’ve probably stopped reading by now. You are urged not to though, because in a few months time you could be able to travel to the beach for 67p. Now, you can’t do that in Cambridge, can you?
There are four lines (only four!) in Boston but they all have their uses. The nice thing is that every journey costs a dollar, which isn’t too expensive. In the first few weeks someone might try to sell you a monthly T pass in Lobby 10, but it is advisable to get it only if you are certain of using the underground at least 9 round trips (to and fro) per month.
The T is open from roughly 6am to 12:30am the next day. It closes earlier than the bars in Boston, which isn’t too great, but it only takes a 20-30 minute walk to get back otherwise. Also, if you’ve taken advantage of the 2 am closing time in the bars, you probably won’t mind a little walk to sober up.
The main criticism of the T is that there is no stop directly at the main entrance of MIT. This can be annoying if you live on the West side of campus (Baker, Burton-Connor, etc.), as the nearest T stop is a fifteen-minute walk away. If you live on the East side though (East Campus, Senior House) the Kendall T Stop is just across the road. Thus most MIT students don’t use the T every day.
As a reward for reading this far, here are hints on some interesting stops, because – let’s face it – it is nice to get out of MIT occasionally!
Revere Beach (Blue Line) – Name says it all. A bit of sand, swimmable water, people driving along in open top cars with the stereo on full blast. Aeroplanes fly over from the airport. It’s nice to go to the beach though, bring a Frisbee along.
Forest Hills (Orange Line) – There is an arboretum there (park full of trees and the like). Go for a picnic. Take an unsuspecting American for a nice romantic walk and dazzle him or her with your English accent.
Harvard (Red Line) – With MIT being a technical college, you’ll probably miss the SPS-ers from back home. Go to Harvard and meet some new ones.
Boston College (Green Line) – A young gentleman last year (who shall remain nameless) achieved legendary status for his exploits there. It is 70% female you see – all part of the plot to marry someone at Harvard, or is it MIT?
Downtown Crossing (Red/Green Line) – Shopping! Everyone’s favourite pastime.
For a T map, go to: http://www.mbta.com/schedmaps/subway/
Getting Out of Boston
After you acquaint yourself with American road signs and symbols (like how big American road signs are, and the “no entry” signs with “WRONG WAY” written below them) you will realise that Boston is actually the most European of all American cities. This is the time to begin travelling.
Unless you have (or can wangle) a car, you will use Greyhound buses or fly.
Greyhound
The local operator is Peter Pan bus lines – a partner of Greyhound. They are clean and cheap and show a film en route. New York for $25 return (March 2002).
If you are on a very tight budget you can try:http://www.travelpackusa.com/bus-service.htm
($15-25 return depending on time of day).
Flights
Just go to www.expedia.com. If you thought that a company that spends so much on advertising can’t possibly be the cheapest around and hence, trawled the Web for hours – think twice and look no further.
Return airfare to New York is around $120-160, San Francisco $360+. Cheaper tickets can be had by not flying on Saturdays. American Airlines is great. Southwest is known as a low-cost airline, though the US does not yet have a Ryanair equivalent.
Accommodation
Hostels are always the cheapest option. You could stay in a rat’s nest in DC for $15/night. Or find a nice place via Hostelling International in San Francisco for $25/night. Try http://www.hostels.com/us.html for ideas.
However, if there are four or five of you then it is literally an extra $1-2 bucks each to go with www.expedia.com and book a quad/quintet. If you can stomach sharing a double bed with a friend, this is a much less stressful way to travel.
Car Rental
Car rental is prohibitively expensive in the Northeast, and furthermore, there are surcharges for drivers under 25. Until you are 21, none of the national rental agencies will serve you, though some local agencies will consider 18 year olds for a hefty premium.
For a weekend, you could be looking at $300.
Driving
According to the British consulate in Boston, you can drive on a British license for the first year of your residency. Should you be the lucky tyke to acquire a car, you will also have to learn how to dodge 2 feet deep pot holes while avoiding oncoming traffic.
Drive on the right, and never above 65mph.
Interstates turn into toll-collecting ‘turnpikes’ near big cities.
For more information on travel within and
around the Boston area, go to:http://web.mit.edu/rlslp/och/transportation.html
A Lonely Planet book is recommended.
Some Places to Visit
New York
Named the “Big Apple” by touring musicians relishing a bite at NY’s thriving gig scene, New York should be high on your list for the following reasons:
• From sunrise on the Staten Island ferry to sunset from the Brooklyn Bridge there is always something to do. A trip up the Empire State building allows you to survey your explored realm, and when evening comes, the restaurants, jazz clubs and bars begin to hum.
• Only 4 hours by Peter Pan bus lines (Greyhound partner); $25 return
• The Grano Trattoria is a well kept secret in Greenwich Village. For $20-$25 you can enjoy 3 courses, drinks and ambience better than restaurants twice the price.
San Francisco
Beautiful hilly streets packed with Spanish architecture and looking over rolling green hills to the Pacific Ocean. Nearby Berkeley was a centre of student activism in its heyday. Some of them still dress funny. Good taste of the West coast.
Washington, D.C.
The seat of US government is a fascinating but strange place. Most of the famous buildings congregate around a mile long strip of grass called “The Mall”. Come on a weekday. The White House, Capitol and Supreme Court close early on Saturdays and are shut all day Sunday. You need to arrive at 8:00--8:30am to get tickets for a tour on the same day.
Baltimore
Industrial city. Tourists head straight for the inner harbour and take a boat cruise. It may not be pretty, but it is oddly inspiring and offers a glimpse into the industrial heart of America. It is not at all like Boston!
Princeton
A delightfully tiny town that exists (if only) because of the University. Much like Cambridge with the buildings in better nick. Worth an evening visit to dine and explore the place where “A Beautiful Mind” was filmed.
Provincetown
Situated at the tip of Cape Cod this quaint little town is the Gay capital of New England and definitely worth a weekend visit when the weather is nice. The area has many lovely beaches and hiring bikes is an enjoyable way to get about. Provincetown is within 3 hours drive of Boston and can also be reached by ferry from Downtown Boston.
Trips & Activities