Sched change=tight conx in Boston

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gabbygrrl

Train Attendant
Joined
Feb 20, 2012
Messages
30
We are traveling on the Downeatster, from Maine to Baltimore. We just received a schedule change in times and our connection in Boston (from North Station to Back Bay) is now down to 30 mins.

If everything goes smoothly, I think we can grab a cab and make it. However, I think we should try to get to South Station instead of Back Bay-a Saturday morning around 9:15am.

The next train is not for a few hours so I'd like to try to see if we can do it...and if we miss it, we'll just take the next one out.

Question-is SS a better option by taxi, than Back Bay? Just trying to hedge our bet :eek: )

TYIA!!
 
While I haven't done it myself, I do think you have a slightly better chance going to BOS since both North and South Stations are right off the expressway. On a Saturday morning, barring an unusual circumstance, it shouldn't be busy going that way.
 
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If we decide on taking the Orange line, do we exit North Station and cross the street to catch it? And can we pre-buy a Charlie Card or just pay on board?

Reason-we won't have a minute to spare to stand at those ticket machines and try to figure them out :unsure:
 
If we decide on taking the Orange line, do we exit North Station and cross the street to catch it? And can we pre-buy a Charlie Card or just pay on board?

Reason-we won't have a minute to spare to stand at those ticket machines and try to figure them out :unsure:
Not across the street - if you look at the picture below, the front entrance of the train station is in the background where it says "TD Garden - North Station" and the subway station is on the left. You won't have to cross the street, but you will have to go outside the train station and then enter the subway station. That's the quickest way to get to the Orange Line.

And I'm not aware of a way to pre-buy a Charlie Card, so yes, you'd have to do the vending machine dance as you won't be able to get through the gate to the orange line without a ticket. Because of this, I would not advise trying to take the orange line.

Screen Shot 2017-04-12 at 3.27.42 PM.png
 
You do have to cross the street to catch the Orange Line today.

The entrance shown in the picture is now a construction site.

Once you are at the Orange Line station there are usually some staff on hand to help you with the vending machines.

Ken
 
Sometimes the cafe is out of cards. But they have them probably 75% of the time. Very handy since they don't charge extra. Just $5 for a card with $5 value. If you are travelling with children, they are free on the MBTA. They might even be free on the Downeaster, depending on age, and day of travel. Obviously you already bought the tickets, but if there was a code on amtrakdowneaster you could of used, call amtrak and see if it will be cheaper if you rebook with the codes.

North Station is a bit of a mess right now. But they are working to combine North Station (train) and North Station (Subway) so you don't have to leave the building to transfer. It used to be worse when it was 3 separate stations train, subway, elevated trolley 10 years ago. Right now you have to cross a busy intersection. Follow the crowd. They will usually ignore the crosswalk lights.

The Downeaster's ontime has been greatly improved from 2015, when nearly every train was late due to MBTA construction. They lost many riders, so they pushed to improve on time to win them back. I've made the North Station to South Station transfer probobly 100 times. I can walk it in about 22 minutes. The subway is usually 15, depending on connections. A taxi is about 10 minutes, depending on traffic. Back Bays subway and train platforms are pretty close, so as long as you are no more then 10 minutes late, should be no trouble at all.

Leave North Station with card, follow crowd to Subway. Look for "Orange Line to Forest Hills". NOT Oak Grove. Card can stay in wallet/purse at turnstile. Get off at Back Bay,

If you know you are not going to make it, CALL AMTRAK before the scheduled departure time, so they can refund/rebook.
 
If you travel on the MTA just be sure to carry an extra nickel in your pocket, in case the fares go up.
 
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