Cheap flights to Boston, MA from $223

Boston Travel Guide

One of the oldest cities in America, Boston, Massachusetts has historic sites dating back to the Revolutionary War. There are colonial buildings downtown, brownstones in Beacon Hill and Back Bay, and preserved mansions now housing museums or shops. Though it is arguably one of the most historical and cultural cities in the U.S., Boston is far from a museum. Modern skyscrapers stretch up into the skyline; it is a leading medical, high-tech and financial center with numerous institutions of higher learning, and is also great for shopping.

Founded in 1630, Boston thrives on diversity and being first as much as possible. It is home to the first publicly supported library, public school, subway system, and the citywide First Night (New Year’s Eve) celebration to name a few on its long list of nation’s first’s. Boston truly has it all. Everywhere you go in Boston there’s history. Many famous American historical events, such as the Boston Tea Party and the ride of Paul Revere, happened here. There are trolley tours, Segway tours, and Duck tours to choose from in order to see it all, or you can visit the Prudential Center Skywalk Observatory and enjoy the 360 degree views of the city.

Those are all great ways to see Boston but, as tourists discover almost immediately on arriving from their flights, this is a great city for walking (and there are tours for that too!). Grab your best pair of walking shoes and get ready to hit the city streets. Take a tip from Bostonians: the quickest way to see the city is by following the red brick path known as the Freedom Trail. The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile walking trail of the city that makes stops at a number of famous and historic sites. Along the Freedom Trail, tourists will encounter museums, churches, graveyards, ships and historic markers that help recreate the history of the nation, starting with the American Revolution. Some of these sites include the location of the Boston Massacre, Paul Revere House, Old North Church, and U.S.S. Constitution. The walk can be done as a self-guided tour or with a tour guide dressed in period costume. The Old State House is particularly important as it’s the first place the Declaration of Independence was read out to the public. The Black Heritage Trail is another excellent and important walk, all about the history of black people and slavery in the United States. Also be sure to wander through Boston Common, where late night concerts and plays often take place in the summer months.

Book a trip to Boston during the spring and you’ll be welcomed by blooming flowers in the Boston Public Gardens. Spring also signals the start to baseball season, so baseball fans book Boston flights purely to see Fenway Park and cheer on the Boston Red Sox. Aside from the Sox, basketball and hockey fans can catch a Celtics or Bruins game. Football fans can take a short drive or train ride down to Foxboro, Massachusetts to watch the New England Patriots. If you happen to reserve a rental car when you book your Boston escape be sure to also drive the coastline south to Cape Cod for some of the best New England beaches, or north to Maine for awe-inspiring colors in fall.

Boston truly is one of the most historical cities in the country. Don’t let the skyscrapers fool you – Boston flights enter you into a world of old brick buildings and narrow walkways that recall centuries of American history. It is also home to many bars, restaurants, events, and much more. No matter what your reason for visiting is, or how long you are planning to stay in Boston, here are some tips to help you plan and enjoy the smoothest possible trip.

Getting to and around the city of Boston

Public transport is your bet way of getting to the city center from Logan International Airport (BOS). You can take the Silver Line rapid transit bus from outside of the baggage claim to Downtown Boston and it is free. One of the stops on this route is South Station, and there are several different buses and trains you can take from there depending on which direction you are heading. You can also take the Red Line from South Station, which is the subway or “T” as it’s known in Boston. You can use the Red Line to connect to other subway lines across the city (there are 4 – the Red, Blue, Green and Orange). You can also take a shuttle bus from outside of the baggage claim to the Blue Line Airport Station; from there you can take the subway to other stations on the Blue Line. Connections are available to the Orange Line from the Blue Line at State Station, and to the Green Line at Government Center Station. You can also find other local buses as well taxis outside the arrivals. Taxis will take you direct to your hotel or accommodation, however, they are quite expensive in Boston so just be prepared. Lastly, you could also rent a car to get where you are going, but don’t bother unless you’re planning to go outside the city as traffic can be a nightmare in and around Boston.

Once you’ve settled in to your hotel, you are probably ready to explore the city. Boston has plenty of ways to get around, including the world’s oldest subway system, buses, trolley buses, ferries and commuter rail. The quickest, easiest and safest way to travel around Boston is the subway, otherwise known as the “T.” The subway will get you almost anywhere, and while the bus is cheaper, it can be much more confusing. Both the bus and subway run from early in the morning to after midnight. It’s easiest to get a travel pass, called a Charlie Card, for getting around, since different types of transportation require different tokens. Taxis are easy to find but can be very costly.

Tips for your stay in Boston

• The Boston Common (colloquially known as the Common) is the anchor for the Emerald Necklace, five parks spread over 1,000 acres and 5 miles. The Necklace is the only remaining intact linear park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. Next to the Common is the Public Garden, the country’s first public botanical garden. It’s also home to the bronze statues of Mrs. Mallard and her children from Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey.
• Bostonians are fervent and passionate sports fans. With the Red Sox, New England Patriots, Celtics, Bruins, and Revolution, there’s always a game somewhere. Some consider catching the Red Sox at a night game in Fenway Park to be a spiritual experience. If you plan to go to a game while you’re in town, it’s a good idea to get your tickets online before you arrive.
• Finding a Boston address is no easy task; there’s no pattern to the layout of the streets and too few street signs. The best solution is to use the GPS on your phone, or call to get directions. When asking for directions on the subway, make sure to ask which exit to take as some stations have multiple exits that will send you off in different directions.
• A Boston CityPass will get you to the head of the line at several of the more popular attractions and, if you’re planning on using the T, a Boston Visitor Pass may save you money too. Another option is the comprehensive Go Boston Card that includes attraction, transportation, dining, and shopping discounts. You can purchase the passes online or at Boston locations specified on the respective web site.
• Smokers, be prepared to light up only when you’re outside. In Boston and Cambridge (and many other Massachusetts towns) smoking is banned in all indoor public and work places, including bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Finding Flights from Boston

Those looking to leave Beantown for new vistas have their pick of destinations from all around the world. Find great deals on flights heading out of Boston with the help of Cheapflights. Many of the same carriers that fly into Boston also fly out of it, including American, Delta, Southwest, and JetBlue, to name just a few.

Here are some trip ideas to get you started:

Cheap flights from Boston to Florida

Cheap flights from Boston to California

Cheap flights from Boston to Hawaii

Cheap flights from Boston to New York City

When it’s time to leave to the airport, save some cash by taking the free Silver Line bus shuttle to the airport. Operated by the MBTA, the Silver Line departs from South Station from approximately 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Just be sure to board a Logan-bound SL1 bus, as the line splits into two destinations. For service from the greater Boston area, the Logan Express operates bus shuttles to the airport from Back Bay, Braintree, Framingham, Peabody and Woburn.

Once you choose a destination, be sure to check out our Boston airport guides for more detailed travel information and helpful tips.

Boston, MA airport overview

Logan International Airport (BOS), or General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport, is located in Boston, Massachusetts – only 3 miles (4.8km) northeast of downtown Boston. With a workforce of approximately 16,000 people and four well-laid out terminals, this easy-to-use airport is renowned for its efficiency. More than 25 million passengers catch flights to Logan International Airport from across US and around the world.

Almost entirely surrounded by water, traveling to and from Logan International Airport is easiest via ferry. However, this is not to say that the airport is without alternative transport – in fact, due to a number of service providers operating at Logan International, including taxis, trains, buses and shuttles, the airport was dubbed “Easiest Airport to Get To” by aviation.com in 2007.

One of the airport’s main attractions is the Boston Logan International Airport 9/11 Memorial, a 2.5-acre site dedicated to honoring the passengers and crew aboard the two planes that departed from Logan International on 11 September 2001. Against a pristine landscape of trees and stone walls, with a central glass commemorative sculpture, the site is a place of reflection and remembrance.