Location: Massachusetts (MA), northeast USA

Area: 48 square miles / 124 square kilometers

Population: 600,000 in the city, 3.2 million in the metropolitan area

Language: American English

Currency: US Dollar (USD)

Time zone: Eastern Standard Time (GMT - 5 hours) (daylight saving time is observed)

Telephone area code: 617 / 781 Country dialing code: +1

Electricity: 110 volts AC, 50 Hz - flat two-pin plugs or third round pin are used

Annual rainfall: 1054 mm (41.5 inches)

Elevation: 3 meters / 10 ft

Temperatures:

When to Visit

Weather in Boston is very changeable and never boring. The summers (June to August) are usually bright and sunny, with some humidity. The winters (November to February) can be quite wet, so at that time of year, be sure to wrap up well and carry an umbrella. Possibly the best times to visit are in the late spring and early fall (with spectacular autumnal colors throughout new England), when the temperature is warm and not too hot. Whatever the weather, there is always so much to see and enjoy in Boston.

National Public Holidays

1st January - New Year's Day

Third Monday in January - Martin Luther King Day

12th February - Lincoln's Birthday

Third Monday in February - Washington's Birthday

Third Monday in April - Patriot's Day (Massachusetts)

Last Monday in May - Memorial Day

4th July - Independence Day

First Monday in September - Labor Day

Second Monday in October - Columbus Day

11th November - Veterans Day

4th Thursday in November - Thanksgiving

25th December - Christmas Day

Boston Travel by Car / Car Rental
Driving in the city center of Boston is not easy as many streets are very narrow and were designed in the days before the invention of the automobile. If you are driving from Logan to downtown Boston, the most direct route is by way of the Sumner Tunnel, which has a small toll charge. As there are many one-way streets and roads with identical names, a map is essential.

A current driving challenge is the “Big Dig.” This is a project that is submerging Boston’s main highway, the Central Artery and covering it with attractive landscaping, new housing, and retail space. An even more attractive city will be the result. 

Parking on the street is possible, but it is better to park in garages or specific parking lots, as you will be more likely to avoid tickets and accidents. Major public lots are located at Government Center and Quincy Market, beneath Boston Common (entrance on Charles Street), beneath Post Office Square, at the Prudential Center, at Copley Place, and off Clarendon Street near the John Hancock Tower. There are many smaller lots and garages are scattered throughout downtown, especially in the Theater District and off Atlantic Avenue in the North End.

Boston MTBA - Traveling on the T
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority subway, or 'T' as it is better known, was the first Public Transit System in the country and is one of the best subways in America. It serves most areas of the city and Cambridge, with several lines even running to outlying suburbs. Taking the 'T' takes you on a ride through history.

Inbound is toward downtown Boston - Outbound is away from it

Inbound is always heading toward the central stations - Park Street, State, Downtown Crossing and Government Center

The different routes are identified by different colored lines - Green, Blue, Red and Orange lines

The information booth is situated at Park Street station, on the Green Line platform

Green Line trains are also called 'streetcars' or 'trolleys' and always stop at Government Center, Park Street, Boylston, Arlington, and Copley

Most Red Line trains stop at all stations between Alewife and Andrew. This includes Harvard and Park Street stations

Guide dogs and certified service animals are allowed on the 'T' at all times

Small, domestic animals must be carried in lap-sized containers during the rush hour

During off-peak hours, non-service dogs may be allowed, provided that they are leashed and will not take up a seat.

Bicycles are allowed on the Red, Orange and Blue lines only, during off-peak periods and all day at the weekends.

Boston Travel by Bus
Buses criss-cross the metropolitan area and travel farther into suburbs than subway and trolley lines.
Bikes are only allowed on the Crosstown (CT) bus routes and these are equipped with bike racks that may be used at all times.

Boston Trolleys
Trackless trolleys connect from the terminal points of the subway lines to destinations further out into the suburbs, with some routes running through the city. They are virtually silent, being powered electronically and departure times are less frequent than on the 'T'. The trolleys also serve Allston-Brighton, Belmont and Watertown and are very reasonably priced.

Boston Travel By Train
Boston South and Boston Back Bay stations are connected to Providence, New Haven and New York City by Amtrak rail services.
Boston Travel by Taxi and Shuttle
Taxis are plentiful and very convenient. They can be easily hailed on the street and are available around the clock.
Boston Travel by Commuter Boat
The shuttle boat departs throughout the day from Rowe's Wharf to Logan Airport and also from Long Wharf to Hingham and provides a very quick way to travel in and out of the city. During peak hours the boats depart every 15 minutes / off-peak and at weekends every 30 minutes.

Cambridge
Right across the Charles River from Boston, Cambridge has many hidden facets that are awaiting exploration.. As a captivating, off-beat alternative to Boston, the "Squares" of Cambridge are charming neighborhoods with exciting dining options as well as unique shopping, theaters, museums, and historic sites.

Located between the academic powerhouses of Harvard and MIT, Central Square is the seat of City government and home to a rich variety of international restaurants and music clubs.

Harvard Square, located around the historic brick walls of the country's oldest university, is a mecca for dining, shopping, book shops, and entertainment.

Historically, Inman Square is a bustling shopping district and is home to a wide variety of unique restaurants offering cuisine of excellence and diversity.

Just a bridge away from Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood, Kendall Square is home to MIT and the heart of Massachusetts' booming high tech and biotechnology industries

In north Cambridge, Porter Square boasts the region's largest concentration of Japanese restaurants and shops, including a popular Japanese bookstore.