Guide · 12 Places
Boston
United States
Before You Go
May to October offers the best weather with temperatures from 15-28°C (59-82°F). Fall foliage in October is spectacular. Summer is warm and festival season. Winter is cold and snowy (-5 to 3°C) but beautiful with holiday lights. Spring can be unpredictable. Patriots Day in April brings Boston Marathon.
Visa
Check requirementsInternational visitors from Visa Waiver Program countries can stay up to 90 days without a visa (requires ESTA authorization). Others need a B-2 tourist visa. Verify at travel.state.gov.
Getting There
TransportationBy Air: Logan International Airport (BOS) is just 3 miles from downtown.
By Train: Amtrak connects to New York (4 hours), Washington DC (7 hours), Portland ME (2.5 hours) from South Station.
By Car: I-90 and I-93. Driving from New York (4 hours).
By Bus: Megabus, Peter Pan, and others from NYC and other cities.
Language
CommunicationEnglish is the primary language with distinctive Boston accent. Very diverse but English is universal.
Currency
Money mattersUS Dollar (USD). Cards accepted everywhere. ATMs widely available. Tipping: 18-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink, 15-20% for rideshare.
Getting Around
Local transportT (MBTA): Subway with 4 color-coded lines (Red, Orange, Blue, Green) plus Silver Line BRT. Single ride $2.40, day pass $12.75. CharlieCard recommended.
Buses: Extensive MBTA bus network.
Commuter Rail: To suburbs and surrounding towns.
Uber/Lyft: Widely available ($15-30 for most city trips).
Walking: Boston is very walkable - Freedom Trail connects historic sites. Compact downtown area.
Bluebikes: Bike share system, good for short trips.
Water transportation: Ferries to Harbor Islands and North Shore.
From the Airport
Arrival infoBlue Line T: Direct to downtown (15-20 min, $2.40).
Silver Line SL1: Free from airport to South Station (20 min).
Uber/Lyft: $25-40 to downtown (15-30 min depending on traffic).
Taxi: Around $30-45 to downtown.
Water Taxi: To waterfront locations ($12-20).
Accommodations
The Liberty Hotel
Former Charles Street Jail converted to luxury hotel. Preserved architecture with modern amenities on Beacon Hill.