Boston Travel Forum

Hi all,

My wife and I are visiting Boston in September for our 25th Wedding Anniversary and are staying in a hotel Chandler Street which I understand is part of the Back Bay Area.
I would like to know how safe it is for us to walk the streets around that area, by day and night?.
I would also like to know whether it is possible to walk to Downtown Boston (Quincy Market etc) from Chandler Street or is it advisable to get public transport and if the latter, what transport is best to get?.

With thanks to all for any help and guidance.
Geoff

I work in downtown Boston but I have not been in that area because I have no reason to go south of US 90. I would think it is a safe area not being too far from places like Copley but someone else should give better info.

It is a long walk to Quincy Market so you might want to take the T (subway). See www.mbta.com for more info.

That area is fine. It's very close to the Back Bay T station, which has both metro/subway and heavy rail service. The area on the other side of I-90 is more upscale and has more shops and restaurants. You'll probably end up over there a lot for dinner and such.
Quincy Market is way too far to be walked from Back Bay. When you get to Boston, get a 7-day pass for the T and a route map. It's $15, but you'll save money, even if you're not staying there a week (a single-day pass is $9). They work for most T services (bus, subway, heavy rail within one zone) and even for the Charlestown ferry. You can buy these at the Back Bay station.
You should have a great time in Boston. And September is a wonderful time to come.

One more comment about the T. SHOULD you decide not to get a day or week pass, it would be cheaper to get a free CharlieCard at any station. The CharlieCard is like a debit card that you add any amount of money at the machines (at every station) using either cash or credit card. Each ride will be $1.70 including free transfers to local busses. If you buy a CaharlieTicket at the same machine, it is $2.00 per ride.

The passes are a good idea as bocmaxima stated when you take 6 or more rides for the day pass or take 9 or more rides for the week pass.

http://www.mbta.com/fares_and_passes/subway/

Just to let you know that Boston is very compact and it certainly can be walkable from Back Bay to Quincy Market if you enjoy walking. It's about 2 miles (3 kilometers). If not, you can also use the T.

I agree with Alan. I've done that walk and it's definitely do-able. It'll take you a while but it's a good sight-seeing tour on foot if the weather is nice. You can head to Boylston & Newbury Streets via Clarendon or Berkeley and then make your way to the Public Garden & the Common. Follow Tremont St from there to the Quincy Mkt area.

Hi, I live in the area and can offer some advice. That area is safe in the day. I wouldn't wander too far south and east of your location at night. Like any city, stay to well lit areas and avoid dark alleys, etc.

A 20-30 minute walk and you could be downtown, as Boston is a very walkable city and you will see some neat stuff along the way as you pass through the Theatre District, the Commons and Downtown Crossing. You can always take the orange line from backbay station to get to Downtown Crossing, State Station for Quincy Market, and Haymarket Station for the North End.

Hope that helps.

DonPaul