Boston Day Trips from New York

Cradle of the American revolution for its independence from the United Kingdom, Boston is full of museums, libraries and important historical buildings that testify to the origins of one of the oldest cities in the country founded by British settlers in 1630.

Boston is considered the capital of culture and knowledge in the U.S., as it is home to prestigious universities such as Harvard or MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). In addition, its port is one of the most important on the east coast. For these and other reasons, I recommend booking a tour to Boston from New York.

The most economical option

Boston and the Freedom Trail Day Trip from New York

The best of Boston in one day

Enjoy one of the most emblematic cities in the United States with an expert guide. You will also visit Harvard and MIT.

Duration: 14 hours

From $110 at Hellotickets

If you want to know the capital of Massachusetts, but do not want to worry about the transportation to be taken, a very comfortable and recommended option is to make this day trip to Boston with a visit to Harvard and MIT from $110

Boston is about 350 km from New York, so the adventure starts early, at 6:30 am, when the group of no more than 50 people meets at the meeting point in Midtown Manhattan with the guide in a comfortable minivan.

Ahead lies an approximately 4-hour drive along the Connecticut coastline, which with the minivan's Wi-Fi and the beautiful scenery along the way, is made even shorter. You'll see downtown, the famous Freedom Trail, Queency Market, Harvard and MIT. Lunch is included.

Why I like this option: it is the most economical and comfortable way to visit Boston on a guided tour. Accompanied by an expert guide, you will tour the essential points of the city and return to New York the same night. So easy and comfortable.

Recommended if .... want to take a break from your trip to New York to visit another of the most important cities on the East Coast of the United States.

The longest proposal

Boston and Harvard Day Trip from New York

Boston and Harvard in detail

Get to know Boston and Harvard with an expert guide who will show you both sites in detail.

Duration: 15 hours

From $130 at Hellotickets

Another proposal is to book an excursion to Boston and Cambridge where the prestigious Harvard University is located from $130, in which you will know these two emblematic cities of the East Coast of the U.S.

An expert guide will accompany you during the tour and will give you all the details and anecdotes about the tradition, history and architecture of the prestigious campus.

In addition, you will explore Boston landmarks such as the Freedom Trail, a path that leads to 16 historic sites such as the Old State House or Granary Cemetery, where you will delve into the American Revolution and the struggle for Independence.

Why I like this option: You will not miss any detail, thanks to the accompaniment of an expert guide, of the history of the American Revolution with a visit to Boston and, in addition, you will tour the prestigious campus of Harvard University. All this without worrying about transfers, transportation and access.

Recommended if.... You want to know, in detail and with the tranquility it deserves, two of the most popular places in the U.S. such as Harvard and Boston.

Yes, it is possible to take a day trip to Boston. However, it is important to plan well so that you can see the most emblematic points.

The distance between the two cities is approximately 350 kilometers, which translates to about 4 hours, either by car or train. My recommendation is to book a tour to Boston from New York.

The answer is yes. One day is enough to visit Boston. Of course, the city has a lot of history and a great cultural richness, so you will have to do a thorough planning to make the most of the time. For this, my recommendation is to book an excursion to Boston from New York, and if you want to explore Salem or Cambridge, you will have to consider staying overnight.

The main attractions you can't miss if you go on a day trip to Boston are:

• Freedom Trail: includes historic downtown highlights such as Boston Common, Old State House and Paul Revere's House.
• Harvard University: a few minutes from downtown Boston, it is essential that you write down on the list to take a walk through Harvard Yard and Harvard Square.
• Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall: coincide your lunch with a visit to this emblematic place and try some of the specialties such as clam chowder (clam chowder) or lobster roll (lobster roll).
• Boston Common and Public Garden: you can't leave without strolling through these parks.
• Copley Square and Back Bay: don't miss the iconic Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library.

Tours to Boston from New York take approximately 14-15 hours including travel time. The trip, which you will do in a bus, takes about 4 hours (really not long considering the great distances that separate the American cities).

My advice: maybe booking a tour to Boston will take you a little longer than on your own, since you have to take into account, for example, the stops you will make along the way. However, it is worth it because, by going with an expert guide, you will make the most of your time in Boston and you will see much more than you would if you chose to travel on your own.

If you are new to the city of Boston, an organized tour from New York is an ideal option to get a first impression of the city. In addition, on this type of tour you will also have time to go at your own pace and choose where to have lunch.

The cheapest way to travel from New York to Boston is by bus. However, I recommend booking as far in advance as possible and traveling early in the morning and late at night to get the lowest prices. Here are the main options available:

• Megabus: You can find tickets from $10 each way (9€ approximately), although the price may fluctuate depending on demand and how far in advance you book them.
• Greyhound: Tickets start at approximately $30 each way (around 27 €), although the price varies depending on demand and availability at the time of purchase.
• BoltBus: As with Megabus, you can find tickets from $10 (around 9 €), although prices can also vary depending on demand and how far in advance they are booked.

If you are looking to save money on a day trip to Boston here are a few tips:

• Book a tour to Boston from New York to save on travel and entrance fees.
• Buy a one-day transportation card for unlimited subway and bus rides.
• Visit museums and attractions with free admission on specific days, such as the ICA.
• Eat at Quincy Market for inexpensive options.
• Bring a reusable water bottle to save on drinks.

Amtrak (the U.S. national passenger rail system) ticket prices for travel from New York to Boston vary depending on the class selected, how far in advance you book, and the type of service you choose.

• Northeast Regional: Economy class offers fares between $50 (about $45.50) and $100 (about $90) each way, depending on demand and how far in advance you book. Business class, on the other hand, has higher fares, although it has larger seats and additional services.
• Acela Express: Business class has fares from $120 (about $110) to $200 (about $180) each way, depending on demand and how far in advance you book. And of course, first class has exclusive services but higher prices.

Perhaps you prefer not to book a tour to Boston from New York and have to stick to a specific day and time to visit Boston. In that case, I'll briefly outline the transportation options available to you so that you can choose the one that best suits your travel plan:

• The bus: it is the same means used by most of the tours and you can get a ticket from 10 $ (9.20 € approximately) each way. Of course, it will be essential to book your ticket in advance so that prices do not rise. Some of the companies that operate are: Megabus, Greyhound or Boltbus. It takes about four and a half hours if there is no traffic.
• The train: if you choose the express train, the trip from New York to Boston will not reach four hours. Even so, in my point of view the option is not worth it unless you get an online offer; the price can be around 100 $ (92 € approximately), a too high cost to save you the traffic.
• The rental car: if you are traveling in a group it is an option with which you can save money, but if not it is probably not worth it. The trip takes about five hours and parking lots are very expensive.
• The plane: the option... the fastest option? A priori yes, since the flight takes less than an hour, but don't forget to add the time it will take you to get to the New York airport and from the Boston airport to the city center. In the end, although the price of the plane, around $60 (55.50 € approximately), may compensate, not the total duration of the trip.

If you book a tour to Boston from New York you have a major advantage: you don't have to think about what to see once you arrive in Boston, as the tour guide will take you directly to the most important sights. This way you will get a complete picture of the city without having to plan your time in the city in detail.

Visit to MIT and Harvard University

This excursion to Boston takes you to Harvard University with its Harvard Yard campus (the oldest part and heart of the campus, a green space with elm and pine trees that contrasts with the urban character of the adjacent Harvard Square) and the great Widener Library (whose holdings comprise one of the most comprehensive collections in the humanities and sciences in the world).

There will also be time to visit the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The guided tour of the city center

Once downtown you will visit places of interest such as Trinity Church, the finest example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture located in Copley Square. Then the Boston tour continues with a walk along the historic Freedom Trail that starts at Boston Common Park and runs through Downtown on a 2.5-mile route to the harbor area and flagship USS Constitution.

The Freedom Trail

It is a commemorative path delimited by a line of red bricks that leads to the 16 places that played a decisive role in the American Revolution for independence. In Boston Common Park, where the Freedom Trail begins, there is a visitor center where you can get some maps and extra information to complement the information offered by the guide during the activity.

You will learn anecdotes and legends about this episode of American history while admiring the architecture of colonial buildings, very important in the development of events such as:

• The Old South Meeting House: where the meeting that started the tea riot was held.
• The Old State House: seat of the British Colonial Government until 1776.
• The Faneuil Hall: where the speeches of the revolution were made, it is known as the "cradle of liberty".

Quincy Market

The best place to get the full experience of historic Boston is Quincy Market, the oldest market in the city, dating back to 1800 and featuring a multitude of stalls and carts selling pasta, hot dogs, sandwiches, noodles..., although the city's signature dishes are clam chowder and lobster roll.

This market is right in front of Faneuil Hall and in the open spaces of the area you can relax while enjoying the shows and street art.

The Tea Party Ships and Museum

The last stop on this Boston excursion is the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, a floating museum where the episode that lit the fuse for the revolution against England is explained with actors - a fun experience! Finally, after several hours in Boston, it's time to end the tour and board the minivan to return to New York.

The Freedom Trail in Boston is a long route, so there is a lunch break at noon to recover your energy. Do you want to know what you can see during your free time in the city?

The best times of the year to book a day trip to Boston from New York are spring and autumn. On the one hand, they offer ideal weather and, on the other hand, the ambiance and beauty of the city in both seasons will amaze you.

• Spring (April-May): The weather is very pleasant with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F). It is also a quieter time than summer, so you can enjoy the attractions without long waits. And finally, it is flowering time, so if you visit the main parks of the city you will have some dreamy pictures.
• Autumn (September-October): The weather is cooler but temperatures are still mild, ranging between 12°C and 18°C approximately. Likewise, there are fewer tourists than at other times of the year. In addition, the colors of autumn give an even more beautiful view of the city.
• Winter: The low temperatures that characterize this season will not allow you to enjoy the city comfortably.
• Summer: The weather is pleasant, but there are many tourists and prices are higher.

If you are booking a day trip to Boston from New York it is important to bring several layers, as there can be significant changes throughout the day, especially in spring and fall. My favorite outfit is a comfortable basic t-shirt, a sweatshirt and a raincoat, as rainfall is common. If you go in summer, choose light and breathable clothing.

The day will be intense so obviously footwear should be comfortable, such as hiking shoes or sneakers, for walking long distances. Keep in mind that the Freedom Trail involves walking on cobblestone streets and historic trails.

Also, when visiting parks such as Boston Common or the waterfront, it is essential to bring a hat or cap, sunglasses and sunscreen. And, of course, if you go in winter, bring a thermal jacket, gloves and a scarf. Finally, don't forget to take a small backpack to carry water, snacks and a collapsible umbrella.

If you are going to spend 15 days in New York and you want to leave the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple but you still don't know which is your chosen destination, I recommend you to take a look at this practical guide I have written about the best excursions you can do from New York

Here you will find all the options that exist, but my favorites are the trip to Washington, the excursion to Philadelphia and the visit to Niagara Falls. That's why I've chronicled my experiences, analyzing the best organized tours to these destinations in the following articles:

• Organized tour to Philadelphia from New York.
• Organized tour to Niagara Falls from New York.
• Organized tour to Washington, D.C. from New York.