Boston Logan sits just 5 km from downtown, and you have a rare advantage among US airports: a free bus into the city. Here is what every option actually costs.
Free and budget options
| Option | Price | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Line (SL1) | Free | Airport to South Station |
| Blue Line T | $2.40 | Airport station to downtown subway |
| Logan Express (Back Bay) | $9 | Airport to Back Bay Copley |
| Logan Express (suburbs) | $9–$14 | Airport to Braintree, Framingham, Woburn, Peabody |
The Silver Line SL1 is free in the inbound direction. No CharlieCard needed — just board at your terminal's bus stop. It runs every 8–12 minutes during the day and takes about 20 minutes to South Station.
The Blue Line requires a free shuttle (Route 22 or 33) to Airport station, then a $2.40 fare. A CharlieCard gives a small discount.
Taxi costs from Logan
Taxis are metered. On top of the meter fare, expect a $2.75 tunnel toll and a $3.25 Massport airport fee.
| Destination | Meter + fees (USD) | Approx. EUR |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown / Financial District | $25–$30 | 23–28 EUR |
| Back Bay / Copley Square | $30–$40 | 28–37 EUR |
| South Boston / Seaport | $20–$28 | 19–26 EUR |
| Cambridge / MIT | $33–$42 | 31–39 EUR |
| Cambridge / Harvard Square | $35–$45 | 33–42 EUR |
| Fenway / Kenmore Square | $30–$40 | 28–37 EUR |
| Brookline | $35–$45 | 33–42 EUR |
Tipping is customary in the US: 15–20% on top of the fare.
Uber and Lyft
Ride-hailing prices vary by time of day and demand. Expect an additional $3.25 airport surcharge and $2.75 tunnel toll on top of the app fare.
| Time of day | Typical fare to downtown (USD) |
|---|---|
| Weekday off-peak | $22–$28 |
| Weekday rush hour (4–7 PM) | $35–$50 |
| Weekend evening | $28–$40 |
| Late night (after midnight) | $25–$35 |
Surge pricing during events (Red Sox games, conventions, holidays) can push fares to $50+ for a simple downtown trip.
Private transfer
| Vehicle | To downtown (USD) | To Cambridge (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan | $45–$60 | $55–$70 |
| SUV / Minivan | $65–$85 | $75–$95 |
| Luxury sedan | $85–$120 | $95–$130 |
Prices are fixed at booking with no surge. This is the most predictable option for budget planning.
The cost comparison in perspective
A couple heading to a downtown hotel can ride the Silver Line for $0 or take a taxi for roughly $30. A family of four with luggage might pay $55–$70 for a private minivan transfer. The Silver Line is remarkable value, but it is a bus — during rush hour with heavy luggage, the comfort premium of a taxi or transfer is worth considering.