Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Destinations > America - USA > New England
Reload this Page >

which boston amtrak station?

which boston amtrak station?

Old Mar 17, 2010, 8:11 pm
  #1  
 
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,299
which boston amtrak station?

Which Boston area Amtrak station should somebody use that is dropping off/picking up a young teenager catching the Acela? They will probably want to see the person off at the station rather than just dropping them off, so they will need to park, etc.

They are driving from/to southern NH (right off 93). Pick up/drop off times will be mid-day, non commute hours.

Thanks,
-David

Last edited by LIH Prem; Mar 17, 2010 at 8:19 pm
LIH Prem is offline  
Old Mar 18, 2010, 6:21 am
  #2  
In memoriam
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: IAD, BOS, PVD
Programs: UA, US, AS, Marriott, Radisson, Hilton
Posts: 7,203
South Station for sure - there's a parking garage (and sometimes one can snag
on-street parking, but don't count on it). Plus it's a much less unpleasant place
to wait.
violist is offline  
Old Mar 18, 2010, 6:24 am
  #3  
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: From and of Boston.
Posts: 4,973
For what you're proposing, Route 128 is almost surely the best choice.

It's extremely simple to reach by car -- from 93, take Rt 128 (also called I-95) south to University Ave/Railroad Station exit (Exit 13) in Canton. The station is 1/4 mile from the exit, and there is plenty of parking.

Alternatively, you could go to South Station, which would be about 8-10 miles closer. However, South Station is in downtown Boston, which means that parking would be considerably more expensive and that the possibility of traffic delays would be greater.
wideman is offline  
Old Mar 18, 2010, 6:25 am
  #4  
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: From and of Boston.
Posts: 4,973
Excellent! 2 replies, each is sure of the right answer, and each is different.

Gotta love the Internets.
wideman is offline  
Old Mar 18, 2010, 8:35 am
  #5  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,713
Tiebreaker: The Route 128 station is easier to reach on / off the highway, much easier parking, easier to meet people at ('cos there's only one track / train at a time), and much less chance of traffic delays (I-93 into downtown Boston can clog up in a heartbeat, and the last few miles -- Medford to South Station -- can easily take an hour in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
BearX220 is online now  
Old Mar 18, 2010, 9:17 am
  #6  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 24,221
Another vote for Route 128/Westwood, even though it's more miles. Not having to deal with driving into Boston is a huge plus.

Originally Posted by wideman
...Alternatively, you could go to South Station, which would be about 8-10 miles closer...
The difference in distance is 20+ miles if you stay on 128/I-95, which I recommend. They're only that close if you go through downtown Boston on I-93, which passes right by South Station and kinda misses the point of going to Westwood in the first place.
Efrem is offline  
Old Mar 19, 2010, 1:40 am
  #7  
 
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,299
Thanks everybody. 128 sounds good.

-David
LIH Prem is offline  
Old Mar 20, 2010, 11:53 am
  #8  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: NYC (formerly BOS/DCA)
Programs: UA 1K, IC RA
Posts: 60,745
Another vote for 128. There are some restaurants in the surrounding area as well. Good for a bite to eat before the train (the cafe car sucks).
magiciansampras is offline  
Old Mar 21, 2010, 8:19 pm
  #9  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,198
Originally Posted by magiciansampras
Another vote for 128. There are some restaurants in the surrounding area as well. Good for a bite to eat before the train (the cafe car sucks).
Good restaurants near the Route 128 train station???
Blumie is online now  
Old Mar 21, 2010, 8:21 pm
  #10  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: NYC (formerly BOS/DCA)
Programs: UA 1K, IC RA
Posts: 60,745
Originally Posted by Blumie
Good restaurants near the Route 128 train station???
Blue Ginger is on the way, coming in from the North.
magiciansampras is offline  
Old Mar 21, 2010, 8:28 pm
  #11  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,198
Originally Posted by magiciansampras
Blue Ginger is on the way, coming in from the North.
I guess kinda! Actually, when I use the Route 128 train station, my preferred lunch/dinner spot is the very casual Farm Grill, on Needham Street in Newton (take the Needham Street exit off of Route 128; it's about two miles down on the right). It's 5 minutes off of Route 128 and serves the best gyro sandwich I've ever had!
Blumie is online now  
Old Mar 21, 2010, 8:32 pm
  #12  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
What's the parking situation typically like at this station? I haven't been in a few years but does the "Commuter" section ($5/day, FastLane accepted) fill up, like Alewife does?
transpac is offline  
Old Mar 21, 2010, 8:37 pm
  #13  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,198
Originally Posted by transpac
What's the parking situation typically like at this station? I haven't been in a few years but does the "Commuter" section ($5/day, FastLane accepted) fill up, like Alewife does?
I've never seen it fill up. Pretty sure it's $10/day for overnight parking. And yes FastLane is accepted; if it's mounted on your windshield, just drive in and drive out. No need to take a ticket.
Blumie is online now  
Old Mar 21, 2010, 8:40 pm
  #14  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: NYC (formerly BOS/DCA)
Programs: UA 1K, IC RA
Posts: 60,745
Originally Posted by transpac
What's the parking situation typically like at this station? I haven't been in a few years but does the "Commuter" section ($5/day, FastLane accepted) fill up, like Alewife does?
It's nothing like Alewife. Alewife is a disaster. I've never seen 128 full.
magiciansampras is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.