Coming to Boston, have a few questions (Brockton, Plymouth: rental car, rental)

[goldenncmom]

Hi, we just purchased tickets to the Pops at Symphony Hall in June. We're looking at staying at Custom House on the harbor, and we're thinking about our transportation options. We are flying in. We are staying for 2 nights and then heading down to Nantucket.

Hotel does not offer shuttle service from the airport. Charges $40 a day to park. We are a bit nervous about driving in Boston but will need a car to get down to Hyannis for the ferry, obviously.

If we instead 1) took a taxi from the airport to the hotel, 2) taxi to/from BSO, would that be cheaper than paying $80 to the hotel to park our car?

And if we did that, would it be possible to get a rental car delivered to the hotel for the drive down to Hyannis? Or is there some other transportation option (bus) that could get us from the area of our hotel down to the ferry and back up the airport at the end of our stay?

Do you think a rental car is still our best option?

Oh, and one last question about attire for the Pops concert. Formal or just dressy? Since we're flying, I don't think our ball gowns and tuxes would pack neatly.

Thanks for any advice!

[TAM88]

You can take mass transit to Symphony Hall if you want. It's on the E branch of the Green line and is not that long of a trip from the hotel. That would be very cheap round trip.

You won't need a car for the most part if you're going to do stuff right in the city. You can either walk, or take the T to pretty much anywhere. If I were you, I would either take a cab from Logan to the hotel, or take the Blue Line. The Aquarium stop on the blue line is right next door I believe. It has pretty quick service to Logan.

I would take a cab or transit to the hotel and to get around the city while your up here and then get a rental car that way you're not paying the parking at the hotel, plus the rental fees when you won't need one to get around.

[goldenncmom]

Do people get on the subway in their dressy clothes to go to the Symphony?

[bostonguy1960]

A cab to Custom House Msrriott near Faneuil Hall is about $22-$25 including the $7.50 toll and fees, depending on traffic. Up to four passengers are allowed to ride for the one price. A cab to Symphony Hall from the hotel might be $11-$15 each way?

The Plymouth & Brockton bus goes from nearby South Station to Hyannis. It's about $35 roundtrip (?) per person with a couple stops, if I recall. Not sure how close the bus station is to the ferry terminal.

[Bob Lanata]

Goldenncmom, you have this figured out pretty well. Dressy would be a good choice considering the travel, cabs will get you where you need to go in the city and less hassle than a rental vehicle. For the trip to Nantucket and other areas outside the city, rental is a great option. Enterprise (I use alot for work) will pick you up as they say in the ads and they have a drop off at the Airport when you are done. I higly recomend an extra few bucks for the mini vans to accomodate luggage et al.

Staying in the custom house, how cool is that LOL. I used to work in the area when it first opened up to the public. That is one cool old building with a lot of history.

Hope Boston is good to you.

[goldenncmom]

Thanks, guys.

Is there is a T route from the airport to somewhere near the hotel? If so, we may take that vs. a taxi, unless we would look like dorks with our rolling luggage on the T.

Would my husband need a jacket and tie for the symphony? Or would slacks and a button down be sufficient?

[bostonbarney]

Originally Posted by goldenncmom

Thanks, guys.

Is there is a T route from the airport to somewhere near the hotel? If so, we may take that vs. a taxi, unless we would look like dorks with our rolling luggage on the T.

Would my husband need a jacket and tie for the symphony? Or would slacks and a button down be sufficient?

Symphony I do dress casual, usually. Pops is casual all the way.

[dravogadro]

You could take a shuttle from the airport to the Blue line and get off at the Aquarium stop. I always bring my luggage on the T and see plenty of others doing so as well. I would say the only issue is if it is during rush hour and the trains will be very full so you will be squeezed.

[bostonbarney]

Originally Posted by bostonbarney

Symphony I do dress casual, usually. Pops is casual all the way.

I should add that I'm a balcony person. The folks on the floor (for the symphony) tend to be a bit more "polished," shall I say. And the same is true for the Holiday Pops.

[Estate28]

A cab to the hotel is going to be around $20 give or take.
You can take the silver line (bus) into south station and transfer or you are pretty close to where you're going anyway.

There are car rental places downtown that you could even walk to. One near government center off the top of my head.

The green line will take you to the show.

Maybe a little walking involved but not a lot. Boston's not too hard to get around for what you are doing.