Landing at Logan · Photo: 4300streetcar · CC BY 4.0
How to Get from the South Shore to Logan Airport
Car service, the Hingham ferry, the Greenbush train, Logan Express or your own car: what each way to Logan really involves from the South Shore.
4 min read
From Hingham, Weymouth, Braintree or anywhere else on the South Shore, there are five realistic ways to reach Boston Logan International Airport: a booked car service, the MBTA ferry from Hingham or Hull, the Greenbush commuter rail plus the Silver Line, Massport's Logan Express bus from Braintree, or your own car and an airport garage. Logan is only 15 to 30 miles away depending on your town, but the right choice depends on your flight time, your luggage and who is traveling with you.
Here is what each option really involves, door to door.
The five ways to get to Logan from the South Shore
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Car service | Early flights, families, heavy luggage, groups | Book ahead for very early pickups |
| Hingham/Hull ferry | Light travelers near the Hingham Shipyard or Pemberton Point | Only some sailings stop at Logan |
| Greenbush train + Silver Line | Budget trips from towns on the line | Two transfers with your bags |
| Logan Express from Braintree | Travelers who can drive to Braintree | Parking fee and a fixed bus schedule |
| Drive and park | Short trips | Garage rates, traffic and finding a space |
Car service: door to terminal
A car service picks you up at your front door at the time you choose, loads your bags and drops you at your airline's terminal on the departures level. Nobody has to wake up at 4 a.m. to drive you, and nobody has to pay for a week in an airport garage.
It is the only option on this list that works the same at any hour. That matters on the South Shore, where the first trains and boats of the day leave too late for many early flights.
When you book online, choose To Airport, enter your pickup address and add your flight details. You get a confirmation by email, and our dispatch office follows every trip. If your plans change, one call to (617) 372-5729 (Nour) updates the ride.
The Hingham/Hull ferry
The MBTA's Hingham/Hull ferry leaves from Hewitts Cove at the Hingham Shipyard and from Pemberton Point in Hull. Some sailings on that route call at the Logan Airport ferry dock, where a free Massport shuttle bus takes you to the terminals.
It is a pleasant way to travel on a calm day with a carry-on. It is less pleasant with three suitcases, two children and a 6 a.m. departure. Only some trips stop at Logan, and the timetable changes with the season, so check the current MBTA schedule before you plan around it.
The Greenbush train and the Silver Line
The Greenbush commuter rail line runs from Scituate to South Station, with stops at Greenbush and North Scituate in Scituate, Cohasset, Nantasket Junction and West Hingham in Hingham, East Weymouth and Weymouth Landing. Braintree has its own station on the Red Line and the commuter rail.
From South Station, the Silver Line SL1 bus runs to every Logan terminal. The SL1 is free when you board at the airport; heading to the airport, you pay the regular MBTA fare.
This is the cheapest option, but it means two vehicles, a transfer at South Station and your bags on every step. Allow extra time: a train that leaves Scituate at the right hour is only the first part of the trip.
Logan Express from Braintree
Massport runs Logan Express buses from a park-and-ride lot in Braintree, close to the Braintree Split. You drive to the lot, pay for parking and ride the bus to the terminals.
For Braintree and Weymouth residents it can be a good middle ground. For Scituate, Cohasset or Hull, you are already driving a good part of the way to Logan before you get on the bus. Check Massport's site for the current schedule and fares before you go.
Driving and parking at Logan
Driving yourself feels simplest until you add it up: the drive in traffic, the search for a space in the terminal garages, the walk with your bags, and the daily rate. Massport raises its parking rates from time to time, so check the current prices; for a week-long trip, the garage bill can be larger than the cost of a ride.
Having a friend drop you off avoids the garage, but it means they make the round trip twice, once to drop you off and once to pick you up, often in the worst traffic of the day.
Which option is right for you?
- Flight before 8 a.m.: a car service. Trains and boats rarely line up with early check-in times.
- Family with luggage: a car service in an SUV with room for up to seven passengers and six bags. See which vehicle fits your group.
- Solo with a carry-on, near the Shipyard: the ferry, if a sailing to Logan fits your flight.
- Short trip on a budget: the train and the Silver Line, with time to spare.
- Landing late at night: a car service, booked in advance. Read how a Logan pickup works.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from the South Shore to Logan?
In light traffic, 30 to 40 minutes from Hingham and Weymouth, about 25 minutes from Braintree, and around 50 minutes from Scituate. At rush hour the Southeast Expressway can add half an hour or more.
Can a car service pick me up for a 5 a.m. flight?
Yes. Reservations are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, online or by phone. For a very early pickup, book ahead so your ride is confirmed before you go to bed.
Do you only drive to Logan?
No. We also drive to T. F. Green in Rhode Island, Manchester-Boston and other New England airports. See Logan, Providence or Manchester for how they compare.
