Touchdown at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and you are roughly 3.5 miles from downtown Boston — but the right way to cover that distance depends entirely on your budget, your luggage, how many people you are traveling with, and whether you value predictability over the lowest possible fare. This 2026 guide compares every realistic option for getting from Logan to downtown, with current prices, terminal-by-terminal pickup points, and honest recommendations for which option fits which traveler.
All 8 Ways to Get from Logan Airport to Downtown Boston
1. Taxi (~$45–$60)
Boston-licensed medallion taxis queue curbside outside every Logan terminal. The meter starts around $3.50 plus distance and time, and a typical trip to downtown Boston runs $45 to $60 before tip — closer to $70+ in heavy traffic or Callahan Tunnel backups. Taxis accept credit cards, no reservation needed, and you will be on your way within 10 minutes of clearing baggage claim. Downsides: variable pricing, no advance booking, and during peak hours the queue can stretch past 30 minutes.
2. Uber & Lyft ($35–$90, surge pricing)
Rideshare is the most popular option for solo travelers on a budget. Base fares run $35–$45 to Back Bay or Downtown Crossing in normal conditions — but Boston's surge pricing is aggressive. During Red Sox home games, snowstorms, holiday weekends, or 11pm international arrival pushes, fares routinely spike to $70–$90, and we have seen them climb past $120. Pickup is at the app-designated rideshare lots outside each terminal (follow the "App Rides" signs to the curbside pickup zones).
3. MBTA Silver Line SL1 (Free from Logan, $2.90 to downtown)
The single best value in Boston transit. The Silver Line SL1 bus rapid transit runs from every Logan terminal directly to South Station in about 20–30 minutes, with stops at the Seaport District (World Trade Center, Silver Line Way) along the way. The fare from the airport is free outbound (Massport subsidizes it), and your connection to the Red Line at South Station costs $2.90 with a CharlieCard or contactless tap. Luggage racks are provided. Drawback: the SL1 can be standing-room-only during evening rush, and it does not serve Back Bay directly (a transfer at South Station is required).
4. MBTA Blue Line Subway (Free shuttle + $2.90)
The older route: take the free Massport shuttle bus (Route 22, 33, or 55 depending on your terminal) to Airport MBTA Station, then the Blue Line subway inbound to State Street or Government Center. Total trip time is 30–40 minutes including the shuttle transfer. Best for travelers heading to the North End, Government Center, or connecting to the Green Line.
5. Logan Express Back Bay Bus ($7.50)
Massport's Logan Express runs from the airport to Back Bay Station (one-way $7.50, ~25 minutes) and to suburban hubs in Framingham, Woburn, Peabody, and Braintree. The Back Bay route is genuinely useful — drop-off at Back Bay Station puts you within walking distance of hundreds of downtown and Back Bay hotels. Buses run every 20–30 minutes, with luggage racks and onboard Wi-Fi.
6. MBTA Water Ferry F1 ($19.25)
The MBTA ferry (Route F1) runs from Logan's dock (a short walk from Terminal A or a quick shuttle ride) to Long Wharf near the New England Aquarium in 7 minutes flat. The ferry fare is $19.25 one-way with a CharlieCard ($23 cash). It is the most scenic option and a great choice in summer — but it stops running around 8pm and service is reduced in winter.
7. Rental Car ($60–$120/day plus parking)
Only worth it if you have a real need for a car during your Boston stay. Boston's street grid is famously confusing, parking downtown runs $40–$60/day at hotels, and the Big Dig tunnels (I-90 Tip O'Neill, Callahan, Sumner) are notoriously backed up during rush. Counter rentals at Logan's Consolidated Rental Car Facility add 20–30 minutes to your trip just for the shuttle and paperwork. For most visitors, a rental car is more liability than benefit.
8. Private Car Service ($50–$65 flat rate)
A pre-booked private car service like Eagle Eye Rides combines the comfort and reliability of a taxi with the predictable flat-rate pricing rideshare cannot offer. Logan to downtown Boston flat rates start at $50 for a luxury sedan and $65 for an SUV, with no surge pricing ever — same fare at 5am or 2am, in a snowstorm or on the 4th of July. The driver meets you inside the arrivals terminal with a name sign, helps with luggage, and your flight is tracked automatically so delayed flights cost you nothing extra. Best for families, business travelers, and anyone arriving after a long flight who just wants a door-to-door experience with no surprises. See our full Boston airport service area.
Comparison Table: Logan Airport to Downtown Boston
| Option | Cost | Travel Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | $45–$60 | 15–30 min | Walk-up, no planning |
| Uber / Lyft | $35–$90+ | 15–30 min | Solo budget travelers |
| Silver Line SL1 | Free–$2.90 | 20–30 min | Cheapest option |
| Blue Line subway | $2.90 | 30–40 min | North End / Govt Center |
| Logan Express (Back Bay) | $7.50 | ~25 min | Back Bay hotels |
| MBTA Ferry F1 | $19.25 | 7 min dock-to-dock | Summer, scenic route |
| Rental Car | $60–$120+/day | 30–45 min | Multi-day stays only |
| Private Car Service | $50–$65 flat | 15–25 min | Families, business travelers |
Logan Terminals and Pickup Points
Logan Airport has four passenger terminals — A, B, C, and E — connected by a loop road served by free Massport shuttle buses (Routes 11, 22, 33, 55) and the Silver Line SL1. Here is where to find each ground transportation pickup:
Ground level curbside. Taxi and rideshare at the outer curb; Silver Line SL1 stop just outside baggage claim.
Two sides: B North and B South. Ground transportation is curbside on the arrivals level for both sides.
Curbside pickup on the arrivals level. Rideshare lot is across the crosswalk, follow the signs.
All international passengers clear customs here. Taxi queue curbside; rideshare a short walk. Pre-booked private car drivers wait inside the arrivals hall with name signs.
Travel Time Reality Check
The drive from Logan to downtown Boston is only 3.5 miles, but Boston's Big Dig tunnels concentrate traffic at predictable chokepoints. Allow:
- 15–20 minutes midday, weekends, and late nights
- 25–35 minutes weekday rush (7–9am, 4–7pm)
- 30–45 minutes during snowstorms, Red Sox home games at Fenway, or major conventions at the BCEC
The route typically takes the Callahan Tunnel inbound (or the Ted Williams Tunnel via I-90 from the Seaport side), then merges onto Surface Road or I-93 north. Eagle Eye Rides drivers monitor live traffic data and pick the faster of the two tunnels based on current conditions — the difference between the two routes can be 10 minutes during rush.
Our Honest Recommendation
For solo budget travelers, the Silver Line SL1 is unbeatable — free from the airport, $2.90 to downtown, and reliable. For families, business travelers, or anyone with luggage, a flat-rate private car service from Logan to downtown for $50–$65 is the best value once you factor in time, comfort, and the elimination of surge risk. If you are staying in Back Bay specifically, the Logan Express bus at $7.50 is a smart middle ground that drops you at Back Bay Station within walking distance of most Back Bay hotels.
Whatever you choose, avoid the trap of comparing rideshare to taxi at face value. A $35 Uber at 2pm can become a $95 Uber at 6pm — the question is not which is cheaper on average, but which is cheaper at the time you actually need the ride. Flat-rate private car service answers that question before you even land.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a taxi from Logan to downtown Boston?
A Boston-licensed taxi from Logan Airport to downtown Boston costs roughly $45 to $60 before tip, with the meter running on distance and time. Heavy traffic or tunnel backups can push the fare to $70 or more. Taxis queue curbside outside every Logan terminal.
Is Uber cheaper than a taxi from Logan Airport?
In normal conditions Uber and Lyft from Logan to downtown run $35 to $45 — cheaper than a taxi. But during surge pricing (rush hour, snowstorms, Red Sox games, holiday weekends) rideshare fares can spike to $70 to $120, making a flat-rate private car service the safer choice.
What is the cheapest way to get from Logan Airport to downtown Boston?
The MBTA Silver Line SL1 bus is free from Logan Airport and costs $2.90 to connect to the Red Line at South Station. It runs every 10 minutes during the day and reaches downtown in 20 to 30 minutes. It is the cheapest option by far.
How long does it take to get from Logan to downtown Boston?
The drive from Logan Airport to downtown Boston is 3.5 miles and takes 15 to 20 minutes in light traffic, 25 to 35 minutes during weekday rush hour, and 30 to 45 minutes during major events or snowstorms. The Silver Line SL1 takes 20 to 30 minutes.