A Guide to Dog-Friendly Transportation in Boston
Boston is an extremely walkable city, but that doesn’t mean you won’t want to hop on public transportation at some point. Public transportation is an easy and cheap way to get from here to there, especially if you have a dog.
And luckily, Boston has great public transportation options. All of Boston’s downtown areas and neighborhoods are accessible by train, bus, trolley, or water transportation. Read on to learn where your dog is welcome on Boston’s public transportation.
Fun fact: Boston is the birthplace of public transit in America! The first subway tunnels in America were built under the Boston Common, and are still in use today.
The T (MBTA)
Boston’s famous color coded subway system is commonly referred to as the T. Run by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the T has three heavy rail rapid transit lines (the Red, Orange and Blue Lines), and two light rail lines (the Green Line and the Ashmont–Mattapan High-Speed Line, an extension of the Red Line).
The Green Line has four branches in the west: B (Boston College), C (Cleveland Circle), D (Riverside), and E (Heath Street), and the Red Line has two branches in the south, Ashmont and Braintree.
A one-way ticket costs $2.40, and can be paid for with a CharlieCard, CharlieTicket, or cash.
According to the MBTA, the pet policy is as follows:
- Service animals are always allowed on the T at all times.
- Non-service dogs are not allowed on the T during rush hours: 7-10 AM and 4-7 PM.
- During off-peak hours, T operators may allow non-service dogs. Dogs should be on leash and cannot take up a seat. Please ensure your dog can be quiet and calm on the T.
- Small animals like cats and rabbits should be kept in pet carriers. Please keep the carrier on your lap if possible and away from vehicle doors, especially during rush hour.
The MBTA Bus
The MBTA bus system is the nation’s sixth largest by ridership. It includes over 150 routes across the Greater Boston area. The bus has numbered lines, as well as the Silver Line and Crosstown bus.
A one-way fare costs $1.70 and can be paid with a CharlieCard, CharlieTicket, or cash. An Express Bus One-Way costs $4.25.
The MBTA bus pet policy is as follows:
- Service animals are allowed on the T at all times. Non-service dogs are not allowed on the T during peak hours: 7 AM – 9 AM and 4 PM – 6:30 PM on weekdays.
- Dogs should be on leash and cannot take up a seat, but there is room for them to lay down under the seats.
- Small animals like cats and rabbits should be kept in pet carriers. Please keep the carrier on your lap if possible and away from vehicle doors, especially during rush hour.
The MBTA Commuter Rail
The MBTA Commuter Rail system is a regional rail network that goes from Boston into the suburbs of eastern Massachusetts. It has twelve main lines, three of which have two branches.
The MBTA commuter rail pet policy is the same as their subway pet policy:
- Service animals are always allowed on the T at all times.
- Non-service dogs are not allowed on the T during rush hours: 7-10 AM and 4-7 PM.
- During off-peak hours, T operators may allow non-service dogs. Dogs should be on leash and cannot take up a seat. Please ensure your dog can be quiet and calm on the T.
- Small animals like cats and rabbits should be kept in pet carriers. Please keep the carrier on your lap if possible and away from vehicle doors, especially during rush hour.
The MBTA Ferry
The MBTA also has several ferry routes through Boston Harbor. They are:
- Charlestown Inner Harbor Ferry runs from Boston to Charlestown
- Hingham/Hull Commuter Ferry travels between Boston, Logan International Airport, Hingham, and Hull
Ferry prices differ. The Charlestown Ferry One-Way costs $3.70, and the Hingham/Hull Ferry One-Way costs $9.75. The fare can be paid with the mTicket App, Paper Ferry Ticket, or cash.
The ferry pet policy is as follows:
- Service animals are always allowed on the T at all times.
- Non-service dogs are not allowed on the T during rush hours: 7-10 AM and 4-7 PM.
- During off-peak hours, T operators may allow non-service dogs. Dogs should be on leash and cannot take up a seat. Please ensure your dog can be quiet and calm on the T.
- Small animals like cats and rabbits should be kept in pet carriers. Please keep the carrier on your lap if possible and away from vehicle doors, especially during rush hour.
Have you ever visited Boston with your pet?
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