Airport arrival · BOS

BOS (Boston Logan) Arrival Guide: Silver Line, the T & Rideshare

Boston Logan (BOS) is close to downtown and easy — the free Silver Line bus and the Blue Line 'T' reach the city in minutes, and taxis and rideshare are well-marked. There's no arrival scam scene; just pick your ride and go.

2026-08-26

The calm version

Boston Logan (BOS) is close to downtown and easy. The free Silver Line (SL1) bus runs inbound to South Station and the Seaport; the Blue Line ‘T’ (via a free Massport shuttle to Airport station) reaches downtown in minutes. Official taxis are metered and rideshare picks up at marked spots. There’s no arrival-scam scene — just pick your ride and go.

Getting to the city

Silver Line SL1 (free inbound). From the terminal arrivals level to South Station (Red Line) and the Seaport — the cheapest, simplest route. Follow ‘Silver Line / Public Transit’ signs.
Blue Line ‘T’. Free Massport shuttle (22/33/55) to Airport station, then downtown in minutes. Tap a CharlieCard or contactless.
Taxi / rideshare. Official metered taxis and Uber/Lyft at designated pickups (rideshare has its own area — follow signs). Quick, but tunnel tolls and traffic add cost/time.
Water taxi. Scenic harbor crossing to the Seaport/downtown.

The small habits that matter

Use the free Silver Line or Blue Line if you’re light on luggage — fastest and cheapest into downtown.
Use the official taxi line or your rideshare app — ignore anyone soliciting rides in the baggage hall.
Tap contactless or a CharlieCard on the T; choose US dollars on any card terminal.
Budget for tolls/traffic on taxi/rideshare at peak hours (the harbor tunnels).

What it looks like

Logan is a well-run US airport with no arrival hustle — the only thing to skip is anyone soliciting a ride inside the terminal. Take the free Silver Line or the Blue Line for speed and value, or a metered taxi/rideshare from the marked stands. Simple, quick, and cheap into a very close downtown.

Do this instead

Take the free Silver Line (SL1) or the Blue Line ‘T’ into downtown, or a metered official taxi / app rideshare from the marked pickups — not a ride offered inside the terminal. Tap contactless, choose US dollars, and budget for tunnel tolls at peak. That’s the whole BOS arrival.

If something needs sorting

Lost item / info: Massport staff and information desks are throughout the terminals.
Card issue: choose US dollars on terminals; the T accepts contactless.
Onward safety: the Boston city brief covers the (minor) risk list — mild transit theft, car break-ins, and late-night sense.

Arrive prepared

The services this guide's advice points to — sorted before you land, not in the arrivals hall.

Airport transfer Welcome Pickups
A licensed, fixed-price driver waiting with your name — the pre-booked ride these guides recommend for late or first-time arrivals.
Pre-book a licensed transfer →
Arrival data Airalo eSIM
Working data the moment you land, so your map, ride app, and this guide all work before you leave the arrivals hall.
Get an arrival eSIM →
Travel insurance SafetyWing
The police report in these guides is for a claim — this is who you claim from. Covers theft, medical, and trip disruption.
Compare travel cover →
Anti-theft gear Anti-theft gear guide
The crossbody bags, RFID sleeves, door alarms, and hidden pockets behind the two-pocket system — what to look for, and where to get it.
See the gear guide →

Some links below are partner links: if you book or buy through them, Arrival Brief may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only list services that match the advice on this page, and money never changes what a brief recommends. More →

Quick answers

How do I get from Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to downtown?

Logan is very close to downtown Boston, and you have easy options. The Silver Line bus (SL1) is free from the airport terminals inbound and runs to South Station and the Seaport, connecting to the Red Line — the cheapest, simplest way into downtown. A free Massport shuttle (route 22/33/55) connects the terminals to the Blue Line 'T' at Airport station, which reaches downtown in minutes; tap a CharlieCard or contactless. Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) and official taxis pick up at designated spots (rideshare has a specific pickup area — follow the signs), and are quick but subject to tunnel tolls and traffic. There's also a water taxi across the harbor to the Seaport/downtown, which is scenic. Logan is well-signed and hassle-free, so pick the option that suits your luggage and destination.

Is the Silver Line free from Logan Airport?

Yes — the Silver Line SL1 bus is free when boarding at Logan Airport terminals heading inbound (into the city), which makes it the cheapest way downtown; it runs to South Station (Red Line connection) and through the Seaport. You only pay if you're travelling outbound from the city to the airport. The buses pick up on the arrivals level outside each terminal — just follow the 'Silver Line / Public Transit' signs. It's a genuinely free, easy first ride, and from South Station the Red Line and commuter rail take you onward. For the Blue Line, take the free Massport shuttle to Airport station instead.

Are taxis and rideshare at Logan safe and metered?

Yes — Boston is a well-regulated US city, so official taxis at Logan are metered and honest (fares run on the meter plus tunnel tolls and a small airport fee), and rideshare (Uber/Lyft) is straightforward, picking up at designated areas — follow the signs to the rideshare pickup rather than accepting any 'taxi?' offer inside the terminal. Use the official taxi line or your rideshare app; ignore anyone soliciting rides in the baggage hall (uncommon, but the one thing to skip). Traffic and the harbor tunnels can add time and toll cost at peak hours, so for a couple of people with luggage a taxi/rideshare is easy, while solo or light travelers often find the free Silver Line or the Blue Line faster and far cheaper.