A College Guide to the Commuter Rail

Massachusetts is home to around 485,720 college students, from undergraduate to graduate programs. Naturally, not everyone has a car to travel on or off campus with, but with the Commuter Rail, you have convenient access to downtown Boston, Massachusetts suburbs, and Rhode Island. With 12 lines and stations in over 170 cities and towns, the Commuter Rail makes it easy to visit friends, travel home for the holidays, commute to internships, or explore Massachusetts. 

The Commuter Rail offers semester passes in partnership with several colleges, a $10 Weekend Pass that offers unlimited travel on Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday weekends, and in 2026, they are offering fall fare promotions through November. 

If you are new to the area or to using the Commuter Rail, visit our How to Use the Commuter Rail page for tips and resources before traveling. 

South Station

South Station is located on the edge of the financial and waterfront district of Boston and is near Emerson College (0.5 mi) and  Suffolk University (0.6 mi), and is a major connecting point to subway lines, bus routes, and other Commuter Rail Stations south of Boston so you can go outbound to visit friends and family on the weekend or during school breaks. This stop also puts you close by iconic Boston landmarks like  Boston Common and the Freedom Trail. 

Framingham/Worcester Line

Swap the traffic of the Mass Pike with the Framingham/Worcester Line. With four stops in downtown Boston and other cities along the way, this line can bring you to major sports venues, concert halls, and several top colleges in Massachusetts!

Grafton Station 

Getting off at the Grafton Station stop brings you to Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine (0.3 mi), 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 Station 

Wellesley College (0.4 mi) 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 Station

Lansdowne Station provides easy access to schools like Boston University (0.7 mi), Simmons University (0.8 mi), and Emmanuel College (1.3 mi). 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.

Fall River/New Bedford Line

With the Fall River/New Bedford Line, you get your pick of traveling to relaxing oceanfront communities in the South Coast or into the hustle and bustle of Boston.

Bridgewater Station

Bridgewater Station is close to Bridgewater State University (0.6 mi). When you are looking for something to do between classes or on the weekends, you have convenient access to Boston and other fun stops along the way 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 Station

The JFK/UMASS Station is by UMass Boston (0.8 mi) and 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, and 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

The Providence/Stoughton Line is the only Commuter Rail line to travel into Rhode Island. Whether you are looking for a day of exploring Providence’s arts scene or want to day trip into Boston, this line has you covered. 

Ruggles Station

Northeastern University (0.3 mi) and Berklee College of Music (0.8 mi) are popular schools not only for their great curricula, but also for being right in the heart of Boston and Ruggles Station. 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 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 Station 

If you are attending Brown University (0.5 mi), Providence College (1.4 mi), or Rhode Island School of Design (0.3 mi), Providence Station will be your stop. Not only are these institutions right in the heart of Providence, surrounded by everything the city has to offer, but you’re also only a couple of stops from Boston’s South Station, making it convenient to access internship opportunities in Boston. 

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.