Info please on Boston Bus #4 or #7 from cruise terminal to Downtown

[mimi7ccr]

We are seniors and are interested in information on how to get from Black Falcon Cruise Terminal to Quincy Market area of Downtown Boston.  I understand there is SL2 which takes you to South Station where you can transfer to Red Line to Park Street, but we would rather take one bus without transferring and ending up more in the area of Quincy Market.  Can anyone provide information on either of these bus lines?  Thanks in advance.

 

[Labanos]

Don't know if that's available. When we visited Boston last summer the 3 of us took an Uber to the exact spot we wanted for almost the same price as 3 bus tickets.

[GTJ]

2 hours ago, mimi7ccr said:

We are seniors and are interested in information on how to get from Black Falcon Cruise Terminal to Quincy Market area of Downtown Boston. I understand there is SL2 which takes you to South Station where you can transfer to Red Line to Park Street, but we would rather take one bus without transferring and ending up more in the area of Quincy Market. Can anyone provide information on either of these bus lines?

To use bus route no. 4 you would have to plan your travel rather precisely because it operates only during weekday rush hours, and then very infrequently. You would need to find your way from the cruise terminal to the route no. 4 terminal on the south side of Northern Avenue, just west of Tide Street. Buses will depart that stop Monday through Friday, at 6:20 a.m., 6:50 a.m., 7:10 a.m., 7:40 a.m., 8:10 a.m., and 8:40 a.m. (last bus). The bus then travels along Atlantic Avenue near Quincy Market. Return trips travel in the opposite direction along Atlantic Avenue, a few minutes after departing from North Station at 3:45 p.m., 4:20 p.m., 4:50 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:05 p.m., and 6:50 p.m. (last bus). Attached is the complete schedule for route no. 4.

 

Bus route no. 7 does not go to Quincy Market. The closest it goes is the intersection of Franklin Street at Devonshire Street. Should you elect to use route no. 7, you would need to find your way from the cruise terminal to the route no. 7 bus stop on the north side of Summer Street, just west of Drydock Avenue. Buses operate, usually about every 40 to 45 minutes, except on Sunday when buses do not operate at all. Return trips travel from Otis Street at Summer Street. Attached is the complete schedule for route no. 7.

 

This seems to be a lot of effort and inconvenience to avoid travel on the Silver Line. To use the Silver Line, you would need to find your way from the cruise terminal to the Silver Line terminal on the west side of Drydock Avenue, just north of Black Falcon Avenue. Travel on the Silver Line to South Station, then change to the Red Line towards Alewife. Do not travel on the Red Line to Park Street, as that is not near Quincy Market. Instead, travel just one stop to South Station. Change there for the Orange Line towards Oak Grove. Then alight at State Street for Quincy Market. The Silver Line operates every 15 minutes, seven days a week. On return trips, be certain to board SL2 buses on the Silver Line for the cruise terminal. Attached is the complete schedule for the Silver Line.

 

You should apply for a Senior CharlieCard for reduced fares. Apply here: http://www.mbta.com/fares/reduced/senior-charliecard. With the card, the bus fare (routes 4 and 7) is 85 cents, while the subway fare (Silver Line) is $1.10.

MBTA Silver Line.pdf MBTA Route 7.pdf MBTA Route 4.pdf

Edited July 9, 2023 by GTJ

[mimi7ccr]

Thanks so much, GTJ, for the detailed information on Busses #4 and #7.  We will not use #4 as it does not return to cruise terminal area early enough for our departure.  No. 7 sounds doable, but then so does the silver line and changing to red/orange lines.  There is only 2 of us.  We can also do Uber, but I'm not so good with my cell phone and ordering one.  I'll try to practice a little! LOL.