Getting Around Town

Boston train by Charles River

MIT Parking & Transportation Office

Be sure to check out the resources of the MIT Parking & Transportation Office, where you can:

  • Buy discounted MBTA passes
  • Join a car-sharing service
  • Pick up a shuttle bus
  • Monitor traffic
  • Register your bicycle
  • Investigate carpooling options
  • Figure out where to park

Public Transportation

The MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) operates an extensive network of subways, buses, trolleys, and trains throughout the metropolitan area. The heart of the MBTA is the subway system, better known as the “T.”, which operates between 5:30am and 1am.

  • Members of the MIT community can purchase Institute-subsidized Charlie Cards through the MIT Parking & Transportation Office. Charlie Card holders can save money on transportation, auto insurance, entertainment, and more.
  • The closest subway stops to MIT are the Red Line stations Kendall Square/MIT and Central Square. The nearest Green Line stop is the Hynes Convention Center/ICA station in Boston, a 15-minute walk to campus.
  • The bus route serving MIT is the #1 Harvard/Dudley bus, which travels up and down Massachusetts Avenue and stops at the main entrance to campus at 77 Massachusetts Avenue.

Bicycles

The relatively compact size of the Cambridge/Boston area makes biking a popular mode of transportation. Navigating this busy urban community by bicycle has its risks, however. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • During the late spring, summer, and fall, a bicycle can be one of the most efficient forms of transportation. Snow piles, ice, and freezing temperatures make biking impractical—and dangerous—in winter and early spring.
  • Bicycle theft is rampant in the Cambridge/Boston area. As a first step, invest in a good bike lock. The MIT Police provides information on the effectiveness of various bike locks as well as the tools necessary to engrave an I.D. on your bicycle—both as a theft deterrent and as a means of recovering it if it is stolen.
  • Register your bicycle with the MIT Police online or at police headquarters in W89. This service is provided for the MIT community at no charge.
  • To combat bicycle theft, MIT has established a centrally-located bicycle compound in the rear of building 13. The compound operates on a card key system. The MIT Police issues card keys to any member of the MIT community for a small fee.

Driving & Parking

Owning a car in the Cambridge/Boston area provides some degree of freedom, but less than you might think. Heavy traffic, automobile theft, and a severe lack of parking can make driving an undesirable option. If you are thinking about moving to off-campus housing that is not accessible by MBTA, consider what is required to drive to and from MIT:

  • State law requires that all out-of-state cars operated in Massachusetts for more than 30 days a year be registered with the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
  • Undergraduate students are eligible to receive a non-resident student permit from the MIT Parking & Transportation Office, which allows you to continue using your out-of-state license plates.
  • Graduate students are not eligible for the non-resident student permit and must register their cars with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles if the vehicle has out-of-state plates and will be parked in the state for more than 30 days a year. Vehicles must be registered within 30 days of the time they are brought into the state.
  • To obtain a City of Cambridge residential parking permit, you must register your car in Massachusetts, have a Massachusetts driver’s license, and be able to show proof of residency in Cambridge.
  • Parking permits for MIT parking lots are available to all residents of on-campus housing, but parking for commuting students is very limited.
  • Always park in well-lighted areas, lock your car, and pocket your keys. If possible, install an anti-theft device. Even if your vehicle is equipped with an alarm, never leave valuables in a parked car.
  • Members of the community who want the conveniences of a car but not the hassles should consider car-sharing services like Zipcar, available through the MIT Parking & Transportation Office.

Shuttles

A variety of shuttle services operate around campus and throughout the immediate metropolitan area, including EZRide, which makes stops in Cambridge as well as at Boston’s North Station, and MIT’s safety shuttle service SafeRide, which provides a safe means of transportation at night within and around the MIT campus. Check shuttle options on the MIT Parking and Transportation website.