Transit guide

The Boston T, line by line

For healthcare professionals new to Greater Boston: what each color means, where every line starts and ends, a short history, and which hospitals and communities each line serves.

The short answer

The MBTA, known locally as the T, runs four subway lines (Red, Green, Orange, and Blue), the Silver Line bus rapid transit, and the Commuter Rail, shown in purple. The Red Line serves Mass General and Kendall Square, the Green Line serves Longwood, the Orange Line serves Tufts Medical Center, the Silver Line runs near Boston Medical Center, and the Blue Line is the quickest rail link to Logan Airport.

Map of the T and key hospital stations

See where each line runs and which stations sit closest to Boston's major clinical campuses. Turn lines on or off, and tap a station for details.

Simplified illustration; routes are approximate and Commuter Rail lines (dashed) show only selected branches. Tap a dot for station details. For the official map and service alerts, visit mbta.com/maps.

Red Line

Alewife (Cambridge) to Ashmont (Dorchester) or Braintree (South Shore)

Brief history

Opened in 1912 as the Cambridge Subway between Harvard Square and Park Street. When the MBTA introduced color names in 1965, it became the Red Line — widely associated with Harvard's crimson. The northern extension to Davis and Alewife opened in the mid-1980s, and the Mattapan trolley connects at Ashmont.

Hospitals and campuses

Charles/MGH station sits beside Mass General's main campus. Kendall/MIT serves the Cambridge life-sciences cluster, and the line links Harvard, Central, Davis, and South Shore communities.

Communities along the line

Cambridge, Somerville, Arlington and Belmont (via bus to Alewife), Dorchester, Quincy, Braintree

Green Line

Medford/Tufts and Union Square (north) to four western branches: B (Boston College), C (Cleveland Circle), D (Riverside), E (Heath Street)

Brief history

Its Tremont Street tunnel opened in 1897 as the first subway in the United States, built to take streetcars off crowded downtown streets. Named Green in 1965, often linked to the Emerald Necklace parks along its western routes. The Green Line Extension to Somerville and Medford opened in 2022.

Hospitals and campuses

The main transit link to the Longwood Medical Area. The D branch runs on its own track from Newton and Brookline to Longwood station; the E branch runs along Huntington Avenue, partly in street traffic, close to Brigham and Women's and Boston Children's.

Communities along the line

Brookline, Newton, Brighton, the Fenway, Back Bay, Somerville, Medford

Orange Line

Oak Grove (Malden) to Forest Hills (Jamaica Plain)

Brief history

Began in 1901 as the Boston Elevated Railway's Main Line Elevated. Named Orange in 1965, commonly tied to Orange Street, an early name for part of Washington Street. In 1987 the southern section moved from the elevated tracks to the new Southwest Corridor.

Hospitals and campuses

Tufts Medical Center has its own station. Ruggles and Back Bay connect toward Longwood and the commuter rail, and Massachusetts Avenue is a common transfer point toward the Boston University Medical Campus area.

Communities along the line

Malden, Medford, Charlestown, the South End, Jamaica Plain

Blue Line

Bowdoin (Government Center area) to Wonderland (Revere)

Brief history

Opened in 1904 as the East Boston Tunnel, often cited as the first transit tunnel under a body of water in North America. It was converted from streetcars to rapid transit trains in 1924 and named Blue in 1965, a nod to the harbor it runs beneath.

Hospitals and campuses

The fastest rail link to Logan Airport (free Massport shuttle from Airport station to the terminals). Bowdoin and Government Center are a short walk to Mass General and Beacon Hill.

Communities along the line

East Boston, Revere, and connections toward the North Shore

Silver Line

SL1, SL2, SL3 from South Station to Logan Airport, the Seaport, and Chelsea; SL4 and SL5 along Washington Street to Nubian Square

Brief history

Launched in 2002 as Boston's bus rapid transit service, partly replacing service lost when the Washington Street elevated was removed in 1987. The Waterfront routes through the Seaport and to the airport followed in 2004 and later.

Hospitals and campuses

SL4 and SL5 run along Washington Street near Boston Medical Center and the BU Medical Campus. SL1 offers a one-seat ride from South Station to every Logan terminal.

Communities along the line

The South End, the Seaport, Chelsea, Roxbury

Commuter Rail (purple on the map)

Two separate downtown hubs: North Station (Fitchburg, Lowell, Haverhill, Newburyport/Rockport lines) and South Station or Back Bay (Worcester, Needham, Franklin, Providence, Fairmount, Old Colony, and Greenbush lines)

Brief history

Built from 19th-century private railroads such as the Boston and Lowell, Boston and Providence, and Old Colony. The MBTA took over passenger service in the 1970s. It is shown in purple on MBTA maps, which is why many locals call it the Purple Line.

Hospitals and campuses

North-side lines arrive at North Station, a short walk or transfer from Mass General. South-side lines reach Back Bay, Lansdowne, and Ruggles, closer to Longwood. There is no rail link between North and South Station, so plan a subway transfer.

Communities along the line

Winchester, Lexington area, Belmont, Andover, Melrose, Wellesley, Needham, Natick, and other suburban towns

Historical details are summarized for orientation. Check mbta.com for current service and routes. Institution names are listed for location reference only; Doctor Living is not affiliated with the MBTA or any hospital.

Quick answer

Ask which line fits your commute

Tell us where you'll work and what matters most. John answers personally, usually within one business day — no obligation.

Practical realities

What transit maps don't tell clinicians

The T is not 24-hour

Subway service generally ends after midnight and resumes early in the morning. If you take overnight or home call, plan for a car, bike, or walking option.

North Station and South Station do not connect by rail

Commuter Rail lines end at one hub or the other. Choosing a town north or south of the city largely decides which hospitals are an easy train ride.

Two commutes, one home

When one partner works in Longwood and another near MGH or Kendall, look for homes where the Green and Red Lines both work, or where one drive and one train ride are reasonable.

Airport access matters for conferences and family

The Blue Line and Silver Line SL1 both reach Logan. Massport's Logan Express buses serve several suburbs.

Official tools

Common questions

What do the MBTA line colors mean?

Boston has four subway lines (Red, Green, Orange, Blue), the Silver Line bus rapid transit, and the Commuter Rail, shown in purple. The colors were introduced in 1965 and are commonly linked to Harvard's crimson, the Emerald Necklace parks, Orange Street, and Boston Harbor.

Which T line goes to Mass General Hospital?

The Red Line stops at Charles/MGH, next to the main campus. The Blue Line at Bowdoin and the Green and Orange Lines at nearby downtown stations are also within walking distance.

Which T line goes to the Longwood Medical Area?

The Green Line D branch (Longwood station) and E branch (Longwood Medical Area and nearby stops). The Orange Line and Commuter Rail at Ruggles are a longer walk.

Does the Commuter Rail connect North Station and South Station?

No. The two hubs are separate, so riders crossing the city transfer to the subway.

Match the line to the home

Share your hospital, start date, and call expectations. You'll get a clear read on which lines and communities fit your commute.

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