Boston: Parking/T/options
Mar 19, 2012, 12:43 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 819
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.....
Mar 19, 2012, 12:47 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Formerly Box 350, Boston Mass, Oh two one three four. Now near Beverly Hills 90210
Programs: Loyal Order of Water Buffalos
Posts: 3,938
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.....
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.
Mar 19, 2012, 8:25 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 819
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.
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.
Mar 20, 2012, 5:43 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Formerly Box 350, Boston Mass, Oh two one three four. Now near Beverly Hills 90210
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Posts: 3,938
Mar 20, 2012, 5:53 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 819
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.....
Mar 20, 2012, 9:21 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Formerly Box 350, Boston Mass, Oh two one three four. Now near Beverly Hills 90210
Programs: Loyal Order of Water Buffalos
Posts: 3,938
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.....
Mar 20, 2012, 12:51 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: PWM, BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Plat, Accor Plat+++
Posts: 850
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
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
Mar 22, 2012, 6:57 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott, AAdvantage, United, Club Carlson
Posts: 1,687
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.
This works if you are staying at a hotel in the city.
Mar 22, 2012, 12:08 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Formerly Box 350, Boston Mass, Oh two one three four. Now near Beverly Hills 90210
Programs: Loyal Order of Water Buffalos
Posts: 3,938
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.
This works if you are staying at a hotel in the city.
Depending on what the rental car is costing, might be getting close to worth staying in the city!
Mar 22, 2012, 1:05 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 819
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?
Mar 22, 2012, 1:18 pm
#11
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Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
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Posts: 17,249
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.
This works if you are staying at a hotel in the city.
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.
Mar 22, 2012, 2:51 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Formerly Box 350, Boston Mass, Oh two one three four. Now near Beverly Hills 90210
Programs: Loyal Order of Water Buffalos
Posts: 3,938
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?
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.
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.
Mar 23, 2012, 9:15 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Portland, ME
Posts: 344
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/Statio...rkingRates.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 ...
http://www.stationlanding.com/garage.swf
http://www.stationlanding.com/Statio...rkingRates.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 ...
Last edited by robertwcook16; Mar 23, 2012 at 9:29 am
Mar 23, 2012, 11:22 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 819
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/Statio...rkingRates.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 ...
http://www.stationlanding.com/garage.swf
http://www.stationlanding.com/Statio...rkingRates.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 ...
Mar 23, 2012, 4:52 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Portland, ME
Posts: 344
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.