A College Guide to the Commuter Rail

Boston is a huge college town, with 34% of Massachusetts’ total college enrollment going to school in the city. Naturally, not everyone can stay on-campus, which is why the Commuter Rail services campuses both downtown and in the suburbs. Taking the train to get to and from college is a much better option. It gets you to your college quickly and efficiently, avoiding traffic and braving the already-full campus parking lot. And since you won’t need to keep your eyes on the road, you can do some of your assigned reading for class or chat with your friends over text.

Even if you do live on campus, you’ll want an easy way to get around. Not every college student owns a car, or is able to keep one on campus. This leaves you needing transportation to travel home for the holidays, go on outings with your friends, or get to an internship to gain real-world career experience. The Commuter Rail gives you the opportunity to explore beyond your campus and comfort zone and can give you a sense of freedom and independence. 

The Commuter Rail is also an extremely affordable travel option on a student budget. The MBTA offers semester passes in partnership with several colleges, but if you don’t have access to one of these, the $10 Weekend Pass allows unlimited travel on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. You’ll have the freedom to travel anywhere you want along any of the Commuter Rail Lines, giving you the independence you crave.

South Station

If you’re considering attending Emerson College (0.5 mile) or Suffolk University (0.6 mile), South Station is your connection between home and campus. You’ll already be close to iconic Boston landmarks like Boston Common and the Freedom Trail, but you’ll also have easy access to several lines out of Boston so you can go outbound to visit friends and family on the weekend or during school breaks.

Framingham/Worcester Line

Grafton

Getting off at the Grafton stop brings you to Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine (0.3 mile), which is the only college of veterinary medicine in New England. When you’re not in class, you can take the Commuter Rail just one stop over to the city of Worcester for internships or just a fun day out, like cheering on the WooSox at Polar Park or chilling out on a weekend at the Free Play Bar Arcade.

Wellesley Square

Wellesley College (0.4 mile) is a stone’s throw away from Wellesley Square, so you’ll be able to travel all along the Framingham/Worcester Line. Practically in the center of the line, you’ll have your pick of attractions, restaurants, museums, and more in either direction. You can head inbound towards Boston to see a game at Fenway Park and get a drink at Sam Adams Downtown Boston Taproom or go outbound to Worcester to watch the WooSox. 

Lansdowne

Lansdowne Station gives college students easy access to schools like Boston University (0.7 mile), Simmons University (0.8 mile), and Emmanuel College (1.3 miles). Here you can greet friends coming inbound at the station and head over to Fenway Park, the Museum of Fine Arts, or the MGM Music Hall at Fenway. It’s also just as easy to head outbound towards Worcester, where you can check out concerts at the Palladium, live events at the DCU Center, or just visit friends and family.

Middleborough/Lakeville Line

Bridgewater

Bridgewater State University (0.6 mile) gives you access to the entirety of the Middleborough/Lakeville Line from the beginning, meaning you can head inbound towards Boston and South Station for internships or hit fun attractions like Fuller Craft Museum, Adams National Historical Park, Dorchester Brewing Company, and the JFK Presidential Library and Museum, meaning you have plenty of options for day trips whether you’re studying or meeting up with friends for a fun weekend adventure.

JFK/UMass

UMass Boston (0.8 mile) is right by the JFK Presidential Library and Museum and the Commonwealth Museum, which is great if you’re a history major and have an essay coming up. But perhaps the most convenient aspect of this college is the train system. 90% of the student body at UMass Boston are commuters, so the Commuter Rail is essential for anyone who doesn’t have a car or who doesn’t want to be late to class due to traffic. Semester passes are available through both the university and the MBTA so you can get to school, internships, study sessions, and back home.

Providence/Stoughton Line

Ruggles

Northeastern University (0.3 mile) and Berklee College of Music (0.8 mile) are popular schools not only for their great curriculums, but also for being right in the heart of Boston. For school breaks or for a weekend day trip, you’re on the line to go to Providence, Rhode Island. You can get out of Boston and hit Providence, with its vibrant culture, shopping at Providence Place, and breweries like Union Station Brewery and Trinity Brewhouse. 

If you live out of state and want to fly home for the holidays, there are often cheaper fares out of TF Green in Warwick than at Logan Airport. Save money by booking your flight out of TF Green, then taking the Commuter Rail directly to the airport. The line to TF Green is weekday only, though, so book your flights carefully and be sure to check the schedule.

Providence

Getting admitted to Brown University (0.5 mile), Providence College (1.4 miles), or Rhode Island School of Design (0.3 mile) is ideal for a lot of great reasons. Being right in the middle of Providence, you have access to incredible attractions, restaurants, and shopping. The Commuter Rail also takes you directly to TF Green Airport, so you can easily go home for school breaks if you live out of state. You can also use the Commuter Rail to get up to Boston for internships, especially if you’re a medical student.

If you’re majoring in art, or simply want to explore the many museums up in Boston, the Providence/Stoughton Line takes you right to Ruggles Station. The Museum of Fine Arts offers free admission to students from several universities, the MassArt Art Museum is free to everyone, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum has discounted admission for students.