Using public transportation only, how long does it take to get from Salem Ma. to downtown Boston?

Question

I'm planning to move to the Boston area fairly soon and wondered if Salem might be the place to live if getting to downtown boston was fairly quick. (In San diego, it takes me one hour to go a distance of about six miles. :/

Answer 1

Since folks have accurately given you the time it takes, I thought I'd just toss in a few other things to consider.

I'm not sure if you've had a chance to visit many metro Boston towns and explore them, but if possible I'd HIGLY recommend that before moving. For example, while Salem has a pretty decent commute time, it's not a town I'd choose to live in. All summer it's filled with tourists, so you not only have the traffic from that, but a town filled with touristy stores, overpriced touristy restaurants, and where much of the housing is, IMHO not especially nice. (It tends to be older, not well tended, and well overall just not a pretty area beyond the waterfront). Also, given the nature of the town, it has a pretty funky energy that I can take for a day trip but not sure I'd want to live in it.

I wish you gave more info of what type of area you like, what your finances are, if you are looking to rent or buy etc. Also will you have a car at home? Salem wouldn't be a good place to live without one, and there are other areas that are far more livable if you only use the T.

If you want to describe more of what you specifically are looking for I'd be glad to give some suggestions. But Salem definately wouldn't be my first choice...or 2nd, 3rd etc. Fun day trip when you are here, especially if you have company.

And beyond a few major roads, I think you'll find the traffic far more tolerable than on your coast...and even those tend to move, well at least sometimes lolol

Answer 2

I guess in S.D. you are not located near the light rail lines or oft-running busses.

If you get a place in Salem relatively near the train station then North Station, Boston, is a nice, easy, comfortable half hour away. It is considerably faster than driving. There are about 30 trains each way weekdays and a dozen on weekends. There is also bus service.

Answer 3

By commuter rail www.mbta.com from Salem to NorthStation it'd be about a half hour train ride.....depending on where in the city you are planning on working it could be an additional 20 mins or so....

Answer 4

It depends on the time of day so it great to have a schedule to time yourself.

Here's commuter rail schedule
http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/lines/?route=NBRYROCK

These are the schedules of all MBTA Buses. Look for the buses around the 400's http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/bus/

This will give you and idea of how your commute will be. There was a commuter boat but don't know if it still runs. You can call the T and find out.

I hope you are aware of the costs.
http://www.mbta.com/fares_and_passes/passes/