New England - Boston: Parking/T/options

Traveling to Andover the week after Easter with wife & 4 kids. 2 purposes, day 1: see Quincy Market area, walk around, day 2: Fenway Park for a 4 pm ame. Trying to see the best way to get around, specifically, is there a good T station to park at and then just take the train (Alewife or Oakgrove maybe?) I don't want the hassle of trying to park either downtown or at Fenway. Just want to plan things out, I am sonewhat familiar with Boston, I know how easy the T is, but never drove to a station and parked. Thanks in advance for any help.....

Traveling to Andover the week after Easter with wife & 4 kids. 2 purposes, day 1: see Quincy Market area, walk around, day 2: Fenway Park for a 4 pm ame. Trying to see the best way to get around, specifically, is there a good T station to park at and then just take the train (Alewife or Oakgrove maybe?) I don't want the hassle of trying to park either downtown or at Fenway. Just want to plan things out, I am sonewhat familiar with Boston, I know how easy the T is, but never drove to a station and parked. Thanks in advance for any help.....

There is commuter rail in Andover, brings you in to North Station, and you can easily walk to Quincy Market from there, or take the Green Line to Fenway Park. Otherwise, Oak Grove is the closest Rapid Transit station to Andover with ample parking. Take the Orange Line to North Station and walk to Quincy Market or switch to Green Line (free transfer) to Fenway.

Of course the best way to see the area is to STAY in the area, and save the hour or so it will take you to make the commute each way.

There is commuter rail in Andover, brings you in to North Station, and you can easily walk to Quincy Market from there, or take the Green Line to Fenway Park. Otherwise, Oak Grove is the closest Rapid Transit station to Andover with ample parking. Take the Orange Line to North Station and walk to Quincy Market or switch to Green Line (free transfer) to Fenway.

Of course the best way to see the area is to STAY in the area, and save the hour or so it will take you to make the commute each way.

Thanks, I thing the Oak Grove option will allow for more frequent trains. I'd love to stay in the city, but with 6 of us it is a little cost prohibitive...

Thanks, I thing the Oak Grove option will allow for more frequent trains. I'd love to stay in the city, but with 6 of us it is a little cost prohibitive...

Give Priceline a shot before you give up on staying in town. Can't hurt to try!

Give Priceline a shot before you give up on staying in town. Can't hurt to try!

Will do, as a follow-up, since you are obviously familiar with the area: Is parking at Oak Grove (listed at 788 spaces) usually an issue? I see that Wellington (1,316) is only a few minutes further of a drive, would that be a better choice? As I said, wife & 4 kids, so I want ease! Will be parking at whichever station and heading into the city on Thursday, 3-4 pm, Friday 9 am and Saturday around 10 am. Returns each day around 7pm, thanks for any help.....

Will do, as a follow-up, since you are obviously familiar with the area: Is parking at Oak Grove (listed at 788 spaces) usually an issue? I see that Wellington (1,316) is only a few minutes further of a drive, would that be a better choice? As I said, wife & 4 kids, so I want ease! Will be parking at whichever station and heading into the city on Thursday, 3-4 pm, Friday 9 am and Saturday around 10 am. Returns each day around 7pm, thanks for any help.....

Weekend won't be a problem. My knowledge ends there, I've never tried parking at any of the stations listed.

Weekends will not a problem. Thursday and Friday may be hit or miss. You might want to try Alewife based on the data below.

You can used this website to find which stations have parking and rate:
http://www.mbta.com/riding_the_t/parking/

Scroll to bottom and select the line:
Alewife
Spaces: 2,733
Average Weekday Availability: <5%
Rate: $7.00/day. $8.00/overnight
Standard Parking (617) 695-6356

Oak Grove
Spaces: 788
Average Weekday Availability: <1%
Rate: $5.50
Five Star Parking - 781-528-6660

Wellington
Spaces: 1,316
Average Weekday Availability: <1%
Rate: $5.50
Five Star Parking - 781-528-6660

If you really wanted to park somewhere, you can always park in one of the outside neighbourhoods of Boston...i.e. leave your car on the street in Brighton or Allston. They both have regular T service that can get you to Kenmore in 30-45min.

This works if you are staying at a hotel in the city.

If you really wanted to park somewhere, you can always park in one of the outside neighbourhoods of Boston...i.e. leave your car on the street in Brighton or Allston. They both have regular T service that can get you to Kenmore in 30-45min.

This works if you are staying at a hotel in the city.

Heck, with 6 people taking the subway, that's $24 per round trip ($20.40 with a Charlie Card). Might be cheaper to drive in and park in a lot!

Depending on what the rental car is costing, might be getting close to worth staying in the city!

Heck, with 6 people taking the subway, that's $24 per round trip ($20.40 with a Charlie Card). Might be cheaper to drive in and park in a lot!

Depending on what the rental car is costing, might be getting close to worth staying in the city!

It is not a rental car, it's my car, and I am more concerned about finding a place to park, not saving the money on parking. And the hotel comparisons are crazy ($108 for a suite in Andover vs. $350+ in Boston) I just assumed parking in the city was nearly inpossible and at Fenway as well, maybe I am wrong?

If you really wanted to park somewhere, you can always park in one of the outside neighbourhoods of Boston...i.e. leave your car on the street in Brighton or Allston. They both have regular T service that can get you to Kenmore in 30-45min.

This works if you are staying at a hotel in the city.
1. Good luck finding parking in Brighton and Allston.
2. Since when does it take 30-45 minutes to get to Kenmore from Brighton and Allston? I would think 5-20 minutes.
3. Why would one do this if staying at a hotel in the city? Do you mean to avoid paying for parking?

Other than that, I'm in complete agreement with you.

It is not a rental car, it's my car, and I am more concerned about finding a place to park, not saving the money on parking. And the hotel comparisons are crazy ($108 for a suite in Andover vs. $350+ in Boston) I just assumed parking in the city was nearly inpossible and at Fenway as well, maybe I am wrong?

There are lots near Fenway, they are, as we say, "wicked expensive". There is parking at Green Line stations (C Line on the "reservation", middle of Beacon Street, D line at stations -- there's a big garage at Brookline Village), but availability is a question. I've always gotten one of the 10 hour meters on Beacon Street (marked with a green sticker on the pole) near Washington Street -- from there it's 15 minutes tops on the train to the ballpark.

1. Good luck finding parking in Brighton and Allston.
2. Since when does it take 30-45 minutes to get to Kenmore from Brighton and Allston? I would think 5-20 minutes.
3. Why would one do this if staying at a hotel in the city? Do you mean to avoid paying for parking?

Other than that, I'm in complete agreement with you.

Lots of onstreet parking in Brighton, near the B or C lines, but make sure you're not in Brookline, where you'll get ticketed if you exceed the 2 hour limit.

Wellington station would be a better bet than Oak Grove - especially on Thursday and Friday. The lot at Oak Grove fills up by around 7:30AM. Wellington usually has plenty of parking as well as the garage at Station Landing Garage which is attached to the station by a skywalk and costs $5.00 a day.

http://www.stationlanding.com/garage.swf

http://www.stationlanding.com/StationLandingParkingRates.pdf

I would use Wellington or try Priceline for a hotel in town....

Are you staying at the Staybridge Suites??
That is a great place to stay ...

Wellington station would be a better bet than Oak Grove - especially on Thursday and Friday. The lot at Oak Grove fills up by around 7:30AM. Wellington usually has plenty of parking as well as the garage at Station Landing Garage which is attached to the station by a skywalk and costs $5.00 a day.

http://www.stationlanding.com/garage.swf

http://www.stationlanding.com/StationLandingParkingRates.pdf

I would use Wellington or try Priceline for a hotel in town....

Are you staying at the Staybridge Suites??
That is a great place to stay ...

Thanks...I will probably go with Wellington, even for the cost (6 people) it is easier than driving around with kid's looking for a parking spot. Yes, we are staying at Staybridge Suites, glad to hear it is nice....

Thanks...I will probably go with Wellington, even for the cost (6 people) it is easier than driving around with kid's looking for a parking spot. Yes, we are staying at Staybridge Suites, glad to hear it is nice....

Wellington is a much easier drive (more direct), right off 93south. The parking garage is nice too and very easy to deal with - I think MBTA parking is above the 5 th floor. There will be signs once you get to the garage. The Staybridge Suites are very nice with kitchens, nice accommodations and a pretty good free breakfast. I stayed there for 2 nights over Christmas and loved it.

For Quincy Market - drive into the city - Google "Garage at Post Office Square". Close by and very big.

Wellington would be my choice as well. I used it often to park and then take the train to Logan. At $5.50/day its knocks the socks off airport parking. :D

1. Good luck finding parking in Brighton and Allston.

Lower Allston is a haven for parkers. You just have to walk 8-10 minutes to Packard's Corner for the B train, or hop on the 57 right to Kenmore. Keep it quiet ;)

And yes, the ride on wither the T or bus should be 5 mins at its fastest and 15 minutes at the worst of times.

Lower Allston is a haven for parkers. You just have to walk 8-10 minutes to Packard's Corner for the B train, or hop on the 57 right to Kenmore. Keep it quiet ;)That walk is way more than 10 minutes for the average person, and someone unfamiliar with the area might feel uncomfortable. It's not the most savory area to walk through.

That walk is way more than 10 minutes for the average person, and someone unfamiliar with the area might feel uncomfortable. It's not the most savory area to walk through.
That's not to say it's at all dangerous, but does appear to be disconnected from the other half of Allston and is the kind of area where you need to know where you're going. But whaddya want for free?

I always wanted one of the t-shirts "This isn't Allston. This is LA"

I always wanted one of the t-shirts "This isn't Allston. This is LA"

Never seen that.

Seen this, of course

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ThisIsBostonNotLA.jpg

1. Good luck finding parking in Brighton and Allston.
2. Since when does it take 30-45 minutes to get to Kenmore from Brighton and Allston? I would think 5-20 minutes.
3. Why would one do this if staying at a hotel in the city? Do you mean to avoid paying for parking?

Other than that, I'm in complete agreement with you.

It's very easy to find parking in both areas. Especially if you try during the day and not at night.

Secondly, it has always taken that long via the T to get to Kenmore. The B line has a stop every 100ft.

It's very easy to find parking in both areas. Especially if you try during the day and not at night.Parking in Allston is a nightmare- most of the streets are resident parking only or have a 2 hour time limit during the week. Lower Allston is easier to park in, but then you have a 15-20 minute walk back to the B-line, which isn't that convienient. Cars also get vandalized pretty often in Allston, especially cars with out of state license plates, which is another drawback.

Brighton is somewhat easier to park in, but not the area right along Comm Ave.

Secondly, it has always taken that long via the T to get to Kenmore. The B line has a stop every 100ft.It can take longer, especially if you park closer to BC.

Parking in Allston is a nightmare- most of the streets are resident parking only or have a 2 hour time limit during the week. Lower Allston is easier to park in, but then you have a 15-20 minute walk back to the B-line, which isn't that convienient. Cars also get vandalized pretty often in Allston, especially cars with out of state license plates, which is another drawback.

Brighton is somewhat easier to park in, but not the area right along Comm Ave.

It can take longer, especially if you park closer to BC.


I've lived in Boston forever. You can park on Brighton Ave. near packards corner, no meters, no time limits.

Just got back yesterday from a weekend in NYC - Parked at the Wellington Station Landing garage - No problems - safe inside garage parking for $5.00 a day - Boston's best bargain IMHO !!!

Just got back yesterday from a weekend in NYC - Parked at the Wellington Station Landing garage - No problems - safe inside garage parking for $5.00 a day - Boston's best bargain IMHO !!!

Along the "trip report" line: When I arrived at Staybrige Suites Andover (Highly recommend this hotel for location/value/service/spacious rooms!) the desk clerk recommended Sullivan Square Station (exit 28 off I93 instead of 30 for Wellington). The benefit is the parking ($4) is right off the exit on the left, walk across the street to the T. We did this almost every day with 4 kids and absolute ease. One day we drove to the US Constitution and found free on-street parking for the day and took the water taxi into the city, another good choice. Thanks to all for advice, trip was fantastic, everyone loved Fenway!

Along the "trip report" line: When I arrived at Staybrige Suites Andover (Highly recommend this hotel for location/value/service/spacious rooms!) the desk clerk recommended Sullivan Square Station (exit 28 off I93 instead of 30 for Wellington). The benefit is the parking ($4) is right off the exit on the left, walk across the street to the T. We did this almost every day with 4 kids and absolute ease. One day we drove to the US Constitution and found free on-street parking for the day and took the water taxi into the city, another good choice. Thanks to all for advice, trip was fantastic, everyone loved Fenway!

Glad to hear you had a great time!!!
Ditto on the Staybridge Suites/Andover!!

For Quincy Market - drive into the city - Google "Garage at Post Office Square". Close by and very big.

Thanks for the tip!

We stayed at Omni Parker House this weekend and parked our vehicle in the lot.
Centrally located and plenty of spaces. $27 for the weekend, less than one night's parking fee at the usual Boston hotels.^

Thanks for the tip!

We stayed at Omni Parker House this weekend and parked our vehicle in the lot.
Centrally located and plenty of spaces. $27 for the weekend, less than one night's parking fee at the usual Boston hotels.^

They gave you $27 for the whole weekend? Thats great.