Boston Amtrak stations: Which station is best?

Boston uniquely has three Amtrak stations. One is in downtown Boston, one is in the North End and the other is in Back Bay. They are within two miles of each other, so all stations offer easy access to Boston transportation, attractions and businesses. To determine which Boston station is best to use, see recommendations and tips below.

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South Station

South Station

South Station is a major transportation hub in downtown Boston near the Financial District, Chinatown, the Seaport District and the Waterfront. Open since 1899, it is the most historic station in the city. Acela, Northeast Regional and Lake Shore Limited Amtrak trains stop here.

Pros

There is a food court, CVS and Amtrak lounge inside the station.
Teddy Ballgames provides luggage storage near the escalators.
South Station (and North Station) are closest to Boston Logan Airport.
It’s the station closest to the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.
It’s a short walk to the Boston Tea Party Ships and the Boston Children’s Museum.
You can transfer to red line subway trains at the station, which travel to/from Harvard and the University of Massachusetts.
Regional buses (including Greyhound, Bolt and Peter Pan) stop at the South Station Bus Terminal (a building next to the train station). Local city buses also stop on Summer Street next to the station.
Many commuter trains stop at South Station:

Cons

It’s a large station, so allow extra time for walking to and from the train platforms.
The station sometimes shelters homeless people overnight during cold weather.
Only one hotel is within a 5-minute walk from the station (InterContinental Boston).

Back Bay Station

Back Bay Station

In the Back Bay neighborhood, the Back Bay Station offers access to Acela, Northeast Regional and Lake Shore Limited trains, commuter trains and the orange subway line. The modern station opened in 1987, replacing several stations that were built in earlier decades.

Pros

There are multiple hotels within a 5-minute walk of the station.
The station is next to two shopping malls: Prudential Center and Copley Place. Plus, it’s near many shops and restaurants on Newbury Street.
The Back Bay station is closest to Fenway Park, Northeastern University, Boston Public Library, Boston Public Garden and the Boston Marathon finish line.
You can transfer to orange line subway trains and the following commuter rail routes inside the station:

Cons

No Amtrak lounge.
It’s the station furthest away from Boston Logan Airport.
Pollution from train exhaust is an issue at the Back Bay Station, but air quality improvements are in progress. If you have asthma or other lung issues, use South Station instead.

North Station

North Station

Boston’s North Station is next to the Charles River and the North End and West End neighborhoods. Only one Amtrak route stops here — the Downeaster. Trains on this route travel through Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.

Pros

There are many restaurants near the station.
You can walk to the historic North End neighborhood.
There is a parking garage on site and many parking options nearby.
The station is in the same building as the TD Garden where the Celtics and Bruins play.
Several hotels are a 5-minute walk or less from the North Station (the closest hotel is citizenM followed by Hotel Indigo Boston Garden).
You can transfer to MBTA orange line and green line at the station.
The following commuter rail routes also stop at the North Station: