How do I ride the MBTA for the marathon? A guide to stops, prices, schedule and more

Phil Salisbury, The MetroWest Daily News
Updated ·4 min read

Thinking about supporting and cheering on the 33,000 runners participating in the Boston Marathon on April 15, but unsure how to get there?

With the roads that the races uses being closed, the MBTA is a great alternative to having to take detours and finding a place to park (most likely someone's yard).

There's no good stop to get you to the new(ish) starting line but the first stop on our list is close to the original starting location in Ashland.

If you're thinking about heading out to the course to watch the race, here's what first-time Marathon attendees need to know while using public transit to get to a key viewing spot. Some Commuter Rail stops drop off passengers right along the route; others require a short walk.

Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail schedule for Marathon Monday

The Commuter Rail will run a weekday schedule to accommodate Boston Marathon crowds. Due to increased ridership, bikes will not be allowed all day. Trains depart in each direction about every hour, outbound toward Worcester and inbound toward Boston.

With the Red Sox first pitch at 11:10 a.m., the 9:05 a.m. and 10 a.m. inbound trains will also have fans headed to Fenway.

How much will it cost to ride the MBTA on Marathon Monday?

The MBTA is offering a $10 unlimited ride ticket for the Commuter Rail all weekend (April 13-15), not just Marathon Monday. Tickets went sale on the mTicket app (available on both Android and iOS) on Monday. They will not be available in ticket kiosks. A one-way ticket between Ashland and Back Bay is normally $10.50, so most spectators will want to take advantage of the deal.

Which trains should I take to watch the Marathon?

If you want to watch the competitive divisions, the 7:30 a.m. and 7:55 a.m. trains out of South Station should get you to viewing spots in time. The 7:30 is an express train, skipping Newton, Wellesley and Natick stops. The 7:55 a.m. train might cause you to miss the wheelchair divisions if traveling to Ashland.

Coming from Worcester, trains departing at 8:13 a.m. or earlier should get you to viewing locations for the competitive runners.

For competitive races, any other morning train should allow you to see runners on the course.

Which Commuter Rail stations are along the Boston Marathon Route?

Passengers are shown stepping off an evening commuter train in downtown Framingham in March 2021. The Framingham Commuter Rail stop drops passengers off right near the 6.6-mile mark of the Boston Marathon, on Waverly Street (Route 135).
Passengers are shown stepping off an evening commuter train in downtown Framingham in March 2021. The Framingham Commuter Rail stop drops passengers off right near the 6.6-mile mark of the Boston Marathon, on Waverly Street (Route 135).

There are several Framingham/Worcester stops within a short walk to the Boston Marathon route:

  • Ashland station: This stop is within walking distance of the 3.2-mile mark on the course. While there, you can check out the new statue of Spencer, the golden retriever who was a familiar face to runners.

  • Framingham station: Located directly on the Marathon route, Framingham's station is at the 6.6-mile mark.

  • West Natick station: A quick walk through the parking lot will get you onto Route 135 and the course. Runners passing by will have hit the 8-mile mark as you cheer them on.

  • Natick Center station: Walk about a block down Main or Washington streets, and you'll be near the course about 10 miles from the start.

  • Wellesley Center station: This station will get you to about the halfway point on the course. It's also the closest to Wellesley College and its famous "scream tunnel."

  • Wellesley Hills station: The Wellesley Hills station is a mile closer to the finish line than Wellesley Center.

  • Wellesley Farms station: This station is about a half-mile walk through a residential neighborhood to get to Mile 15.5 on the course.

  • Landsdowne station: As the name implies, this one is closest to Fenway Park. It's where runners reach the home stretch, with a little more than a mile left.

The Wellesley Hills Commuter Rail station is just after the halfway point of the Boston Marathon.
The Wellesley Hills Commuter Rail station is just after the halfway point of the Boston Marathon.

MBTA will have limited subway service along the Boston Marathon route

Don't just look on a map and pick a nearby spot if you want to use the Green line and get close to the action. Copley Station, the closest to the finish line, will be closed all day on Monday, April 15. Other Green Line stops, including the St. Mary's, South and Kent Street stations, will be closed for most of the race.

The B line and C line each have stations that are near the route and will be open: Woodland, Boston College, Cleveland Circle, Kenmore and Hynes Convention Center.

Many bus routes that normally traverse the course be rerouted or canceled.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: How can I watch the Boston Marathon by train? Times, stations, prices