commute from wellesley to longwood medical area (Boston, Newton: theatre, live)

[deerpark11]

Can anyone give me an idea about commute time from Wellesley to Longwood medical area by car, I assume via route 9? I would be leaving at around 7am and returning at around 5pm. Also any thoughts on possible public tranportation options would be great, ie commuter rail vs subway. Thanks very much.

[kmann-sherborn]

It depends where at Longwood you want to go. If you're looking to get to Longwood Station, take the commuter rail trail from Wellesley to Back Bay, then walk out the door of Back Bay station, head to the right, and walk two blocks to the Green line. Take the D train to Longwood Station.

If you're looking to get to the Longwood Medical area, you still take the train into Back Bay, then take the E train to Longwood Medical Area Station.

You can also visit MBTA.com > Official Website for Greater Boston's Public Transportation System and click on the "rider tools" tab for more commuting options.

[jlyang]

Hi,
A doctor at Dana Farber, right next to Children's, who lives in Wellesley Hills, tells me that her commute on Rt 9 is normally 45 minutes each way, but shorter during the summer, since there's more people on vacation and less traffic then. Without traffic it's more like a 20-25 minute drive.

I doubt you could easily take the commuter rail for this commute, esp. as the commuter rail goes to downtown Boston but doesn't service the Longwood Medical Area.

[shiver]

You could drive to and park at one of the outer "D" Green Line stations in Newton and take the train directly to the Longwood Stop. Parking is probably $6 or $7 a day plus the T fare. However, T parking tends to fill up fast at most spots so I don't know how early you'd need to get there to be assured a spot.

[holden125]

Originally Posted by shiver

You could drive to and park at one of the outer "D" Green Line stations in Newton and take the train directly to the Longwood Stop. Parking is probably $6 or $7 a day plus the T fare. However, T parking tends to fill up fast at most spots so I don't know how early you'd need to get there to be assured a spot.

You could also park for free most days on Beacon Street near the reservoir, just west of Cleveland Circle. There tends to be ample parking if you're willing to walk a bit. Turn right on Chestnut Hill Av. at Cleveland Circle and the Reservoir D Line Stop is right there across from the shuttered movie theatre. 4 stops to Longwood.

You can get there via Route 9 to Hammond St (not Hammond Pond Pkwy), just past the Chestnut Hill malls.

[deerpark11]

thank you for all the helpful replies.

[Highwyre237]

Originally Posted by kmann-sherborn

It depends where at Longwood you want to go. If you're looking to get to Longwood Station, take the commuter rail trail from Wellesley to Back Bay, then walk out the door of Back Bay station, head to the right, and walk two blocks to the Green line. Take the D train to Longwood Station.

If you're looking to get to the Longwood Medical area, you still take the train into Back Bay, then take the E train to Longwood Medical Area Station.

You can also visit MBTA.com > Official Website for Greater Boston's Public Transportation System and click on the "rider tools" tab for more commuting options.

You could also get off at Yawkee station, and I know Dana Farber has a free shuttle leaving from there...

My gf commutes from West Newton to Longwood, I normally drop her off at the D line on my way into work, or she takes the commuter rail to Yawkee.

[holden125]

Originally Posted by Highwyre237

You could also get off at Yawkee station, and I know Dana Farber has a free shuttle leaving from there...

My gf commutes from West Newton to Longwood, I normally drop her off at the D line on my way into work, or she takes the commuter rail to Yawkee.

Yawkey with a "y."

If you try this, check the schedule carefully b/c the train does not always stop at that station. If the schedule works for you it's a very good option.

[deerpark11]

Thanks again. This is very helpful. Does anybody know whether you can take a bike on the commuter train?
Also, do you know whether there is convenient bike parking at the train station in Wellesley? same question for the green line station in West Newton?

[ogre]

Here's a link to the transit website's page about carrying on bicycles: MBTA > Riding the T > Bikes on the T. Looks as if it's allowed only during off-peak times.