Travel Tips for Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Cost: €€ (expensive)

Safety: 4/5 for solo female travellers

Boston is quite unique, and is one of the most historical cities in the United States. Despite it being the birthplace of the American Revolution, I got a European vibe off this city, because of the many French Gothic brownstone buildings and lots of Irish pubs!

The city is energetic, with great art exhibitions, food and music festivals and museums. It’s very much a pedestrian friendly city.

I would recommend visiting the city for 2 days. I travelled alone and felt safe, although I wasn’t out late at night and of course I remained vigilant.

How to get there

As I was already in New York City, I travelled via Amtrak along the gorgeous east coast and the journey took about 4 hours (one-way). You can get the train from Penn Station in NYC and there are three stations to choose from in Boston (I got the train to Back Bay).

You can fly direct to Boston Logan International Airport via Aer Lingus from:

Dublin: the flight length is about 7 hours.

Shannon: about 7 hours.

Donegal: flight length will vary as you have a stop-over in Dublin.

The cost of flights will also depend on how long you are going for, when you book and the time of year. 

Language, Currency & Weather

English is the most commonly spoken language in Boston and the currency is the US Dollar.

In my opinion, the best time to visit Boston is spring or autumn, as the weather is pleasant and mild. I visited in May and was able to partake in lots of activities, as well as exploring the city by foot.

Summer in Boston is very warm and humid (mainly July), with temperatures reaching over 30 degrees Celsius. The humidity makes it feel warmer, and can sometimes make it difficult to walk around and explore. However, this weather can be great for water activities.

In winter, temperatures can drop to -5 degrees Celsius or lower, so if you’re travelling around this time then it’s important to bring warm clothing.

Public Transport

Boston is a small city so it is easy to get around most places by foot, however it does have a cheap and convenient public transport system.

The most popular options are the “T” (subway), buses, commuter rail, water taxis and ferries. If you’re travelling via the subway, it is possible to get a 1-day pass, which gives you unlimited travel for 24 hours. The pass is loaded on to a CharlieCard or CharlieTicket. If you don’t think you will get much use out of your 24-hour ticket, fear not as it is possible to get a single-trip CharlieTicket.

Travelling to and from the airport is easy as it’s located very near the city centre. The Silver Line of the bus system (SL1) picks up from all the terminals and travels directly to South Station in central Boston. The journey is free for trips coming from the airport, but if you’re heading to the airport you pay $2. The trip will take between 20 and 30 minutes.

Where To Stay

I stayed along Newbury St, which is a very expensive street known for its shopping, dining and entertainment. I did not know this at the time of booking, because I got a good deal on my place (with Maverick Suites).

If you are wishing to stay in the city, I would recommend The Bostonian Boston which is downtown, or Harborside Inn, located in the city’s waterfront district.

The Courtyard by Marriott, Revolution Hotel or the Staypineapple are all great choices too.

It can be hard to find something if you’re on a budget as accommodation is very expensive in Boston. HI Boston Hostel is a good option, but it’s still almost €100 per night for a shared dormitory (this price will vary).

Where To Go & What To Do

Whether it’s water activities, sport, museums or food tours, Boston definitely has something for everyone.

My top tip would be to book a walking tour along the Freedom Trail, which covers several important landmarks in the city.

A sightseeing or whale watching water cruise are also good choices, or you have the option to rent a canoe, kayak or stand-up paddle board and travel along the Charles River (weather dependant).

If you’re interested in sport, plan a trip to Fenway Park and try purchase tickets to a Red Sox game.

I really enjoyed my trip to Harvard University, and you have the option to book a walking tour with a student which I would recommend as the campus can be confusing.

What & Where To Eat

Boston has an incredible seafood-filled dining scene, so while you’re there I would recommend booking a seafood tasting tour, as well as trying the clam chowder.

While in the city, I visited Boston Harbour Hotel for afternoon tea, Spoke Wine Bar for delicious food and wine, Giulia for some Italian food (I made my reservation in advance as this place is in high demand) and the incredible Saltie Girl which in my opinion was perfect for solo-dining.

For a day trip, travel to Martha’s Vineyard to learn about the island’s history, check out celebrity houses or relax on the beach.

Have fun in Boston!