Boston benefits from a major international airport in very close proximity. Boston Logan International is located in the East Boston (or Eastie) neighborhood, and only a short drive or transit ride away from the rest of the city. When I’m planning a trip, I almost always opt for the earliest flight out in the morning and the latest flight home. I try to maximize my time travelling, and I get to beat the traffic to the airport in the morning!
Here’s how to get from Boston to the airport:
Public Transit
Transit is my preferred way to get to and from the airport, despite the MBTA’s aging infrastructure. MBTA stands for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Association, which encompasses the Boston subway system, the various local and suburb buses, a handful of ferries, and the large commuter rail network.
A little complicated, but you can get there from here!
Anyway, there are two ways to use the MBTA to start your journey at Boston Logan. The Silver Line bus system runs directly there from South Station. You can walk right into South Station, go down one level for the Silver Line, and hop on the bus to the airport. This is my preferred way to get to my flights, and the Silver Line buses stop at all 4 terminals.
Your other option is the Blue Line (subway connecting Downtown, East Boston, and a few towns just northeast of the city). There’s an Airport station on the blue line, but it’s a bit of a misnomer. In reality, the “Airport” station is a stop in East Boston, that you can then take a free bus into the airport, stopping at the rental car area and then each terminal. Trust me, the Silver Line is much easier.
(SEE ALSO – This is Why You ALWAYS Leave a Little Early for the Airport)
One thing to keep in mind, the MBTA is not a 24/7 service. Generally speaking, it runs from about 5AM to 1AM, but service hours vary per route. Be sure to confirm your bus or subway will be running when you need it, or check in with a local for advice.
One more thing – you could take the ferry to the airport. Neither the cheapest nor the most convenient option, but it makes for an interesting start to your adventure! Check out the schedule here. You depart from Long Wharf, centrally located between Downtown and the North End, and 15 minutes later you’re at the airport.
Driving
Boston Logan International is only about 2 miles from downtown as the crow (or plane) flies. If there isn’t much traffic, it’s super easy to navigate. I know “easy” is relative when driving in any city, but it really isn’t too bad, I promise!
From the city, find your way to Route 1A. Take 1A North through the Callahan Tunnel, then take the Logan Airport exit, and you’ll hop right onto Airport Road. Airport Road is a small loop through Terminals A, B, C, and E in alphabetical order.
Your other main route to the airport is I-90 W. I-90 ends in (or begins) in Boston, and travels across the country on a northerly route, passing through Albany, Toledo, and Chicago before terminating in Seattle. Don’t worry, you’ll only be on I-90 for a mile! You’ll probably enter I-90 from South Boston (Southie) or in the Seaport on Congress Street. Either way, you’ll follow the interstate through the Ted Williams Tunnel under Boston Harbor, merge onto Airport Road, and then follow the same terminal loop.
Hopefully someone is dropping you off at the airport, so you don’t have to pay for parking! I’ve become the go-to airport ride for most of my friends and family, saving a few thousand dollars over the years. To give you an idea, one day of parking at the Terminal B Garage will run you $38 the first day, and then it’s $38 for each additional day. Not exactly cheap. The economy lot is much cheaper, and is only a few minutes away from the airport with free shuttles. Be sure to factor parking costs into your vacation budget if you need it!
Ride Sharing and Taxi
We’ll leave the directions up to the driver here, but they’ll likely take one of the routes above. If you’re looking for a rideshare, you’ll have no trouble grabbing Lyft or Uber in Boston. The market is saturated with drivers (especially once the college kids come back and it gets busy again). In my experience, a ride to the airport from Downtown will run you anywhere from $10 to $30 for an average car. Check both apps, because sometimes you’ll save a few bucks on Lyft over Uber, or vice-versa. I often opt for Uber, to use up my American Express Platinum credits.
Taxi rates are comparable. You can hail a taxi from any of the main roads Downtown, especially near hotels and popular restaurants. If you want to take a from anywhere in Boston to BOS airport, you’ll likely save money by using a service like Carmel Limo — plus you can save $4 off using this link.
This is our preferred way to get to the airport early in the morning, or get home after a late landing.
Another popular option is grabbing a seat on a shared express . A variety of express buses run from BOS to various points in Downtown Boston and the metro area and cost in the $15 to $20 (one-way) range. These are large buses designed for runs, so most of them have plenty of storage underneath the seats for luggage. GO Airlink Shuttle is one such bus – it costs about $21 per person one way. Try promo code SHUTTLE to save 5%.
The Best and Cheapest Way from Downtown Boston to Boston Logan Airport
I might be biased here, but I’ll still say that the MBTA’s Silver line is the best way to get to Boston Logan International. Although the Silver Line is free when departing from the airport, you’ll still need to pay a fare to get to the airport. Assuming you’re close enough to walk to South Station, right next to Boston’s downtown area, you can take the Silver Line straight to the airport for under $3 per person. The trip from South Station will take about half an hour (always plan for extra time!), but could take longer with traffic on I-90.
Whether you choose to drive or take the Silver Line, make sure you hop off at the right terminal! Logan Airport has 4 Terminals, none of which are connected post-security. Driving around the airport loop, you’ll see Terminal A, B, C, and then E (no terminal D). The Silver Line stops at all terminals.
I hope this guide helps you get from Boston Logan International into the city – if you need to make it a roundtrip, make sure to check out my guide to the best and cheapest way from Boston airport to Boston!
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
LoganExpress. If you are staying in Southend or Backbay and especially if you have luggage it will be easier. Pickup by Backbay station and directly to the airport $3. For those without precheck, they give you a security fast pass for a shorter line.
After many trips on the Silver Line, there is another free ride from Logan to downtown: Logan Express to Back Bay. Picks up at all terminals every 20 minutes, stops at Copley Square and Hynes Convention Center. Logan to Back Bay is free, Back Bay to Logan is $3 and your LEX ticket will give you in the priority security lines at Logan. Depending on which branch of the T you’re taking, Logan Express might be a better option.
I agree with the Logan Express. Plus they have other buses from the suburbs. Editors note…the I 90 tunnel to the airport is the Ted Williams, not the Callahan.
Good catch, updated the tunnel!
I concur with Logan Express. Free from the airport, $3 to the airport comes with pre-check. It is fantastic.
Water Taxi is my favorite way to go between Logan Airport and downtown.
Uses the same docking area at Logan as the public ferry, which you can take a free shuttle bus to/from. The water taxis are on demand so you don’t have to worry about the ferry schedule and it’s a smaller boat experience where you’re right on the water. Super relaxing!