New England - Logan to Boston Fin District transportation with a lot of baggage

We are flying into Logan on Wednesday with our son who is returning for college. Our destination is the Boston Hilton Financial District. There are 5 of us and we will have about 7 pieces of luggage and likely a couple of backpacks. I cannot fathom taking the T with this much stuff - and am even leary of the taxis at the taxi stand. My questions:

Is there likely to be a taxi that is a mini-van to handle us and our stuff?
Should I consider making limo-type arrangements so I can be sure we can easily get from the airport to the hotel?

We will be renting a car on Saturday to continue on to his college in Vermont. Don't want the rental car any sooner as I don't want to deal with parking charges and parking hassles.

Advice is most appreciated.

Will that amount of luggage I don't think a mini-van would even work. Car service rates in Boston are high and to be honest you are not going that far so it would be a waste of money. With the new tunnels, it might be 3 miles max.

I would just get 2 taxis when you land at the airport. Not sure why you are leary of them.

Thanks.

I would just get 2 taxis when you land at the airport. Not sure why you are leary of them.

Thanks.

+1

Never had a problem with Boston taxis in 10 years of living here.

My goal was to get us all in one vehicle. Two taxis is definitely a solution.

Two taxis, it's a ten minute ride, nothing to worry about.

I reread my original post - I did say 'leary'! I guess that's not exactly what I meant - my intention was that I was wanting to avoid having only small taxis as options.

Sorry about that!

I reread my original post - I did say 'leary'! I guess that's not exactly what I meant - my intention was that I was wanting to avoid having only small taxis as options.

Sorry about that!

Minivans are available, and with that much luggage you might one van and one taxi.

tb

Just something to note, but at Logan if you request a minivan (e.g. a minivan is not the next cab in line and you have to ask the guy at the cab stand for one), there is a $6 premium added to the meter to do so. I protested to the cabbie and to the guy in charge at the cab stand and they said it was "official fare policy". I was too tired to protest further over $6, but this was in effect as of last week.

Just something to note, but at Logan if you request a minivan (e.g. a minivan is not the next cab in line and you have to ask the guy at the cab stand for one), there is a $6 premium added to the meter to do so. I protested to the cabbie and to the guy in charge at the cab stand and they said it was "official fare policy". I was too tired to protest further over $6, but this was in effect as of last week.

Actually, my experience is that one gets charged the surcharge whether one asks for a van or not, and even if it's next in line. Pretty irritating, but I can't be bothered to insist on waiting for a normal cab.

tb

Actually, my experience is that one gets charged the surcharge whether one asks for a van or not, and even if it's next in line. Pretty irritating, but I can't be bothered to insist on waiting for a normal cab.

tb

Really? I've taken minivans several times from Logan, every time because it was the next taxi in line, and never been charged for it.

As for the question of whether they can charge extra if you specifically ask for it, I feel like I have read that somewhere, maybe on the sign inside the taxi posting the rates? I tried searching the Boston taxi website and couldn't find anything, so I could be wrong about that.

Two taxis or a mini van would not be a problem. I LOVE the Boston Hilton. Just stayed there in late July and while the room was typical hilton... nice, but nothing super special, but the staff was fabulous!

Really, they went above and beyond.

Enjoy your stay!

Really? I've taken minivans several times from Logan, every time because it was the next taxi in line, and never been charged for it.

As for the question of whether they can charge extra if you specifically ask for it, I feel like I have read that somewhere, maybe on the sign inside the taxi posting the rates? I tried searching the Boston taxi website and couldn't find anything, so I could be wrong about that.

It's only happened a couple of times with me, but both times I was charged the extra. I did have a fair bit of baggage, but did not request a minivan, and furthermore, my stuff would have fitted into a regular cab without problems. It's possible that I was mischarged.

For sure, if it's requested, you will be charged extra, and that has also happened to me, and was happy to pay.

tb

Amazingly, when we arrived at the Logan taxi stand, a mini-van was the next vehicle in line. After we loaded (3 duffel bags, 2 carry-on size suitcases and a small carry-on duffel bag) and got in the van, the driver explained not only the mini-van charge but also the 'leaving the airport' charge. So $13.50 in 'extra' fees were added to the fare right off the bat; I think the van fee was $6 and airport fee was $7.50. There was also a placard in the passenger section explaining the airport fee.

And while I am not familiar with Logan and Boston, I had studied the maps and he seemed to take a direct route via I-90 and past the Barking Crab restaurant to get to the Hilton on Broad St. My point being that with fees, the pre-tip fare was $28 for 4.0 miles according to Google Maps. I was glad we all fit into one vehicle.

Back to the van fee, we took a cab one other time to the Paramount Cafe on Charles St (Beacon Hill) and the van fee was added at the start. After reading the comments, maybe because it was obvious we needed a van for the 5 of us? Or our appearance screamed tourist?

We had a great too-brief time in Boston, getting out just before Irene came to town. Boston is a very walkable city and easy to get around. The downtown Hilton was great.

Thanks for your information and opinions.

...we took a cab one other time to the Paramount Cafe on Charles St (Beacon Hill) and the van fee was added at the start. After reading the comments, maybe because it was obvious we needed a van for the 5 of us?

That's a function of passenger count.

Sounds like you got a straight, legit deal on the initial taxi from airport to hotel.

The Fin District Hilton is nice, isn't it? Great rates on weekends when the business trade drops off.