Acton to Cambridge on the Commuter Rail (Waltham, Fitchburg: transfer to, train)

[Francofilly]

Hi---is commuting from Acton on the commuter rail into Cambridge really bad? Meaning, are there transfers or anything or is it pretty direct? You need to get the subway at some point right?
We are trying to figure out some details about where we should move, and one main hiccup is the ability to get to Cambridge or Waltham rather painlessly via commuter rail. being from NJ, we have no experience or idea how the train works.

Any help is appreciated!

[kmann-sherborn]

You'd need to connect to the subway at some point. Where in Cambridge are you looking to get to? If you can share that it would help folks recommend what the best routing would be.

Also the MBTA has a handy trip planner tool where you can enter a starting and ending address to figure out the best routing: MBTA Trip Planner > Find the Best Way to Get to Your Destination

[NotAPrincess]

The commuter rail that goes from Acton also stops at Porter Square in Cambridge. From Porter Square, you can transfer to the red line and go to Harvard, Central, Kendall/MIT, etc.

After stopping in Porter Square, the commuter rail from Acton continues to North Station, which is on the green line, so not directly connected to Cambridge.

[sblumberg]

The Fitchburg line which serves Acton, also makes a few stops in Waltham.
Also, the stops in Cambridge listed above are inbound. You can take the redline to Alewife (outbound 1 stop) if you job is in that area. There is also bussing from most of those stops.

[495neighbor]

Acton commuting is convenient to Waltham and Cambridge. There is the commuter rail and also the Alewife redline, which is only a 20-25 minute from the area.

[HenryAlan]

Originally Posted by NotAPrincess

The commuter rail that goes from Acton also stops at Porter Square in Cambridge. From Porter Square, you can transfer to the red line and go to Harvard, Central, Kendall/MIT, etc.

After stopping in Porter Square, the commuter rail from Acton continues to North Station, which is on the green line, so not directly connected to Cambridge.

If the job is in East Cambridge, the Green Line from North Station might also work. But overall, the Fitchburg line is the best situated for access to Cambridge of any north side commuter rail options.