Alewife
ADA
Alewife/Cambridge Highlands
Alewife Brook Parkway and Route 2
0 nearby
Chapter VI
Transit Directory
How residents actually get around Cambridge, Massachusetts
What feels different here compared to Boston: Cambridge is smaller and denser. The Red Line isn't just transit — it's the city's spine. Most people live within a 10-minute walk of a station, and they plan their lives around that fact.
How to think about transit tradeoffs: The Red Line is reliable but crowded at rush hour. Buses fill gaps but run less frequently. Biking is fastest for short trips but requires confidence. Most residents combine all three depending on weather and timing.
7T Stations
90+Accessible Businesses
100%ADA Accessible
Red Line
6 Cambridge Stations
Davis
ADA
Davis Square (Somerville)
Holland St and College Ave, Somerville
0 nearby
Porter
ADA
Porter Square
Massachusetts Ave and Somerville Ave
12 nearby
Harvard
ADA
Harvard Square
Massachusetts Ave at Harvard Square
23 nearby
Central
ADA
Central Square
Massachusetts Ave and Prospect St
32 nearby
Kendall/MIT
ADA
Kendall Square
Main St and Broadway
16 nearby
Green Line
1 Cambridge Station
Traveler's Advisory
CharlieCard vs CharlieTicket
Get a reusable CharlieCard for lower fares ($2.40 vs $2.90). Available at major stations.
Day Passes Available
Unlimited 1-day ($12) and 7-day ($22.50) passes for the dedicated explorer.
All Stations Accessible
Every Cambridge station has elevator access for wheelchairs, strollers, and heavy luggage.
Commuter Intelligence
What locals actually need to know
Rush Hour Strategy
Inbound peak: 7:30–9:30 AM. Outbound peak: 4:30–6:30 PM. Kendall/MIT is the busiest Cambridge station. Board at Alewife for a guaranteed seat.
Weekend & Late Night
Weekend trains run every 10-13 min. Last trains depart around 12:30 AM. No overnight service — budget for rideshare after midnight.
Bikes on the T
Folding bikes are always welcome. Regular bikes are allowed off-peak only: before 7 AM, 9 AM–4 PM, and after 7 PM on weekdays. All day on weekends.
The Bus Network
Buses fill gaps the Red Line misses. Route 1 (Harvard–Dudley) is the busiest. Route 69 connects Lechmere to Harvard. Bus fare: $1.70 with CharlieCard.
Bluebikes Everywhere
100+ Bluebikes docks across Cambridge. $2.95 per single ride, $99/year unlimited (rides under 45 min). Fastest option for trips under 2 miles.
Getting to Logan Airport
Red Line to South Station → Silver Line SL1 (free transfer) → Airport terminals. Total time: 35-45 min from Harvard. Budget extra at rush hour.
Charlie never got off the MTA. His wife still hands him sandwiches.
MBTA Transit Lore
“Did he ever return? No, he never returned, and his fate is still unlearned...”
— The Kingston Trio, on Charlie
Frequently Asked Questions
Cambridge is served by the MBTA Red Line with six stations: Alewife, Davis, Porter, Harvard, Central, and Kendall/MIT. The city also has extensive bus routes, protected bike lanes, Bluebikes bike-share, and is highly walkable with a Walk Score above 90. Many residents live car-free.