Boston Day Trips from New York

The birthplace of the American Revolution for its independence from the United Kingdom, Boston is full of museums, libraries and important historic buildings that bear witness to the origins of one of the oldest cities in the country, founded by British settlers in 1630.

Boston is considered the capital of culture and knowledge in the USA, as it is home to prestigious universities such as Harvard and MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). In addition, its port is one of the most important on the East Coast. For these and other reasons, I recommend you book a trip to Boston from New York.

The most economical option

Boston and the Freedom Trail Day Trip from New York

The best of Boston in one day

Enjoy one of the most emblematic cities in the United States with an expert guide. You will also visit Harvard and MIT.

Duration: 14 hours

From £88 at Hellotickets

If you want to visit the capital of Massachusetts, but don't want to worry about the transport, a very convenient and recommendable option is to take this day trip to Boston with a visit to Harvard and MIT from £88

Boston is about 350 km from New York, so the adventure starts early, at 6.30 am, when the group of no more than 50 people meets at the meeting point in Midtown Manhattan with the guide in a comfortable minivan.

Ahead lies an approximately 4-hour drive along the Connecticut coastline, which, with the minivan's Wi-Fi and the beautiful scenery along the way, is made even shorter. You'll see the city centre, the famous Freedom Trail, Queency Market, Harvard and MIT. Lunch is included.

Why I like this option: it's the cheapest and most comfortable way to visit Boston on a guided tour. Accompanied by an expert guide, you'll tour the city's essential sights and return to New York the same night. It's that easy and comfortable.

Recommended if .... you want to take a break from your trip to New York to visit another of the most important cities on the East Coast of the United States.

The longest proposal

Boston and Harvard Day Trip from New York

Boston and Harvard in detail

Get to know Boston and Harvard with an expert guide who will show you both places in detail.

Duration: 15 hours

From £105 at Hellotickets

Another proposal is to book an excursion to Boston and Cambridge where the prestigious Harvard University is located from £105, where you will get to know these two emblematic cities on the East Coast of the United States.

An expert guide will accompany you during the tour and will tell you all the details and anecdotes about the tradition, history and architecture of the prestigious campus.

You'll also explore iconic Boston landmarks such as the Freedom Trail, a path that leads to 16 historic sites such as the Old State House and Granary Cemetery, where you'll learn more about the American Revolution and the struggle for Independence.

Why I like this option: You'll learn about the history of the American Revolution with a tour of Boston and you'll also tour the prestigious campus of Harvard University with an expert guide. All this without worrying about transfers, transport and access.

Recommended if.... You want to get to know two of the most popular places in the USA, Harvard and Boston, in detail and with the peace and quiet it deserves.

Yes, it is possible to take a day trip to Boston. However, it is important to plan well in advance so that you can see the most important sights.

The distance between the two cities is approximately 350 kilometres, which translates to about 4 hours, either by car or train. My recommendation is to book a tour to Boston from New York.

The answer is yes. One day is enough to visit Boston. However, the city is steeped in history and culture, so you'll need to plan ahead to make the most of your time. To do this, I recommend booking an excursion to Boston from New York, and if you want to explore Salem or Cambridge, you'll need to consider staying overnight.

The main attractions not to be missed on a day trip to Boston are:

• Freedom Trail: includes historic downtown highlights such as Boston Common, Old State House and Paul Revere's House.
• Harvard University: just minutes from downtown Boston, a stroll through Harvard Yard and Harvard Square is a must.
• Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall: coincide your lunch with a visit to this emblematic place and try some of the specialities such as clam chowder or lobster roll.
• Boston Common and Public Garden: You can't leave without strolling through these parks.
• Copley Square and Back Bay: don't miss the iconic Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library.

Tours to Boston from New York take approximately 14-15 hours including travel time. The trip, which you'll take on a bus, takes about 4 hours (really not long considering the great distances the American cities are separated by).

My advice: booking a tour to Boston might take you a little longer than on your own, as you have to take into account, for example, the stops you'll make along the way. However, it's worth it because, by going with an expert guide, you'll make the most of your time in Boston and you'll see much more than you would if you chose to travel on your own.

If you're new to Boston, an organised tour from New York is a great way to get a first impression of the city. You'll also have time to explore at your own leisure and choose where you want to have lunch.

The cheapest way to travel from New York to Boston is by bus. However, I recommend booking as far in advance as possible and travelling early in the morning and late at night to get the lowest fares. Below are the main options available:

• Megabus: You can find tickets from $10 each way (approximately €9), although the price can fluctuate depending on demand and how far in advance you book.
• Greyhound: Tickets start at around $30 each way (around €27), although the price varies depending on how far in advance and how available they are at the time of purchase.
• BoltBus: As with Megabus, you can find tickets from $10 (around €9), although prices can also vary depending on demand and how far in advance they are booked.

If you're looking to save money on a day trip to Boston here are a few tips:

• Book a tour to Boston from New York to save on travel and entrance fees.
• Buy a day pass for unlimited underground and bus travel.
• Visit museums and attractions with free admission on specific days, such as the ICA.
• Eat at Quincy Market for inexpensive options.
• Bring a reusable water bottle to save on drinks.

Amtrak (the US national passenger rail system) ticket prices for travel from New York to Boston vary depending on the class selected, how far in advance you book and the type of service you choose.

• Northeast Regional: Economy class offers fares between $50 (about €45.50) and $100 (about €90) each way, depending on demand and how far in advance you book. Business class has higher fares, but offers more spacious seats and additional services.
• Acela Express: Business class has fares from $120 (approximately €110) to $200 (around €180) each way, depending on demand and how far in advance you book. And of course, first class has exclusive services but higher prices.

Perhaps you prefer not to book a tour to Boston from New York and have to stick to a specific day and time to visit Boston. In that case, I'll briefly outline the transport options available to you so that you can choose the one that best suits your travel plans:

• The bus: this is the same mode of transport used for most tours and you can get a ticket for as little as $10 (approximately €9.20) each way. It's important to book your ticket in advance to keep prices down. Some of the companies operating are: Megabus, Greyhound and Boltbus. The journey time is about four and a half hours if there is no traffic.
• The train: If you choose the express train, the trip from New York to Boston will take less than four hours. Still, I don't think it's worth it unless you get a great deal online; the price can be around $100 (approximately €92), which is too high a cost to beat the traffic.
• The rental car: if you're travelling in a group, it's a cost-saving option, but if you're not, it's probably not worth it. The journey takes about five hours and car parks are very expensive.
• By plane: the fastest option? Is it the fastest option? On the face of it, yes, as the flight takes less than an hour, but don't forget to add in the time it will take you to get to New York airport and from Boston airport to the city centre. In the end, while the airfare, at around $60 (approximately €55.50), may be worth it, the overall journey time is not.

If you book a tour to Boston from New York you have a major advantage: you don't have to think about what to see once you arrive in Boston, as your tour guide will take you straight to the most important sights. This way you will get a complete picture of the city without having to plan your time in the city in detail.

Visit to MIT and Harvard University

This tour of Boston takes you to Harvard University with its Harvard Yard campus (the oldest part and heart of the campus, a green space with elm and pine trees that contrasts with the urban character of the adjacent Harvard Square) and the great Widener Library (whose holdings comprise one of the most comprehensive collections in the humanities and sciences in the world).

There will also be time to visit the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The guided tour of the city centre

Once downtown you will visit places of interest such as Trinity Church, the finest example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture in Copley Square. Then the Boston tour continues with a stroll along the historic Freedom Trail which starts at Boston Common and winds through Downtown on a 4-kilometre route to the harbour area and flagship USS Constitution.

The Freedom Trail

This is a commemorative trail marked by a line of red bricks that leads to the 16 sites that played a key role in the American Revolution for independence. In Boston Common Park, where the Freedom Trail begins, there is a visitor centre where you can get some maps and extra information to complement the information provided by the guide during the activity.

You will learn anecdotes and legends about this episode of American history while admiring the architecture of colonial buildings, very important in the unfolding of events such as:

• The Old South Meeting House: where the meeting that started the tea riot was held.
• The Old State House: seat of the British Colonial Government until 1776.
• Faneuil Hall: where the speeches of the revolution were made, it is known as the "cradle of liberty".

Quincy Market

The best place to get the full experience of historic Boston is Quincy Market, the city's oldest market, which dates back to the 1800s and features a multitude of stalls and carts selling pasta, hot dogs, sandwiches, noodles, etc., although the city's signature dishes are clam chowder and lobster rolls.

This market is right opposite Faneuil Hall and the open spaces in the area are a great place to relax while enjoying the entertainment and street art.

The Tea Party Ships and Museum

The last stop on this tour of Boston is the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, a floating museum where actors explain the episode that lit the fuse for the revolution against England - a fun experience! Finally, after several hours in Boston, it's time to wrap up the tour and hop in the minivan to head back to New York.

The Freedom Trail in Boston is a long route, so there's a lunch break at midday to recover your energy. Want to know what you can see during your free time in the city?

The best times of year to book a day trip to Boston from New York are spring and autumn. On the one hand, they offer ideal weather, and on the other hand, the atmosphere and beauty of the city in both seasons will amaze you.

• Spring (April-May): The weather is very pleasant with temperatures ranging between 10°C and 20°C. It is also a quieter time than summer, so you can enjoy the attractions without long waits. And finally, it's flowering time, so if you visit the city's main parks, you'll get some great photos.
• Autumn (September-October): The weather is cooler but temperatures are still mild, ranging from around 12°C to 18°C. There are also fewer tourists than at other times of the year. In addition, the autumn colours make the city even more beautiful.
• Winter: The low temperatures that characterise this season will not allow you to enjoy the city comfortably.
• Summer: The weather is pleasant, but there are many tourists and prices are higher.

If you're booking a day trip to Boston from New York it's important to bring several layers as there can be significant changes throughout the day, especially in spring and autumn. My favourite outfit is a comfortable basic T-shirt, a sweatshirt and a mackintosh, as rainfall is common. If you go in summer, choose light, breathable clothing.

The day will be intense so obviously footwear should be comfortable, such as hiking shoes or trainers, for walking long distances. Keep in mind that the Freedom Trail involves walking along cobblestone streets and historic trails.

Also, when visiting parks such as Boston Common or the waterfront, it is essential to bring a hat or cap, sunglasses and sunscreen. And, of course, if you're going in winter, bring a thermal jacket, gloves and a scarf. Finally, don't forget to pack a small backpack for water, snacks and a collapsible umbrella.

If you're going to be in New York for 15 days and you're ready to leave the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple but still don't know what your destination of choice is, I recommend you take a look at this practical guide I've written about the best excursions you can do from New York.

You'll find all the options here, but my favourites are the Washington getaway, the Philadelphia excursion and the visit to Niagara Falls. That's why I've chronicled my experiences, analysing the best organised tours to these destinations in the following articles:

• Organised tour to Philadelphia from New York.
• Organised tour to Niagara Falls from New York.
• Organised tour to Washington from New York.