T. F. Green International Airport, Warwick, RI · Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0
Logan, Providence or Manchester from the South Shore?
Boston Logan is closest, but T. F. Green in Rhode Island and Manchester-Boston can be worth the longer drive. How to compare them from the South Shore.
4 min read
From the South Shore, Boston Logan is almost always the closest and most convenient airport, with the most nonstop flights. Rhode Island's T. F. Green International Airport in Warwick is worth checking when fares are clearly lower or when you want a smaller, calmer terminal; it is roughly an hour and a quarter from Hingham. Manchester-Boston in New Hampshire rarely makes sense from the South Shore, because getting there means driving through Boston first.
Here is how to compare them for a specific trip.
The three airports at a glance
| Boston Logan (BOS) | T. F. Green (PVD) | Manchester-Boston (MHT) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Hingham | about 18 miles | about 57 miles | about 66 miles |
| Light-traffic drive | 35 to 40 minutes | about 1 hour 20 minutes | about 1 hour 35 minutes |
| From Braintree | about 25 minutes | a little over an hour | about 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Flights | the most nonstops, including international | a shorter list of nonstops on several airlines | a short list, mostly to airline hubs |
| Route from the South Shore | I-93 north into the tunnel | south and west, away from Boston traffic | through Boston, then north |
Drive times are for light traffic. Rush hour adds time to all three, but in different places: the Southeast Expressway for Logan and Manchester, Route 24 or I-95 for Providence.
When Logan is the right call
Logan wins on choice. It has far more nonstop routes than the other two combined, including the international flights that leave from Terminal E. A nonstop flight usually saves more time than a shorter drive.
It is also the shortest drive from every South Shore town, from about 25 minutes out of Braintree to about 50 from Scituate in light traffic. See drive times from every town, and all the ways to get to Logan, from the Hingham ferry to Logan Express.
When T. F. Green is worth the drive
T. F. Green is a smaller airport in Warwick, Rhode Island, served by several major and low-cost airlines. It is worth a look when:
- The fare difference is real. For a family of four, a lower fare per ticket can easily cover the longer ride.
- The flight times are better. Sometimes Providence has a nonstop at a civilized hour when Logan's options leave at 6 a.m. or connect.
- You want a smaller terminal. The walk from the curb to the gate is short and easy to find your way around.
- You are heading out at Boston rush hour. The drive to Providence runs south and west, away from the Southeast Expressway, although Route 24 and I-95 have their own busy hours.
From most South Shore towns, Providence adds 40 to 50 minutes each way compared with Logan in light traffic. At Boston rush hour the gap can shrink, because the Providence drive avoids the tunnel.
Manchester-Boston: usually not from the South Shore
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport sits about 50 miles north of Boston. For a traveler from the North Shore or southern New Hampshire it can be convenient. From the South Shore, you would drive through Boston, the slowest part of any trip to Logan, and then keep going for another hour.
It can still make sense if a fare is much lower, if you are combining the flight with a visit up north, or if your flight was diverted there and you need a way home.
Count the whole trip, not just the fare
When you compare airports, add up the full door-to-door cost for your group:
- Fares for everyone traveling.
- Bag fees, which vary by airline.
- Getting there and back: a ride both ways, or parking for the length of the trip.
- Time: a longer drive at both ends, and how early you need to leave.
A cheaper fare out of Providence can disappear for one traveler with a carry-on, and pay off for a family of five with ski bags.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from the South Shore to T. F. Green?
In light traffic, about an hour and a quarter from Hingham or Weymouth and a little over an hour from Braintree. From Scituate and Hull, allow about an hour and a half.
Is Providence easier than Logan at holiday time?
Often the terminal itself is calmer, but holiday traffic affects both drives. Leave early whichever airport you choose, and book your ride ahead of the holiday rush.
My flight was diverted to Providence or Manchester. Can you pick me up there?
Yes. Call us at (617) 372-5729 (Nour) with your new arrival details. We answer 24 hours a day and will move your pickup to the airport where you land.
