Anyone who's flown into Boston Logan knows that getting from the airport to your final destination can be the most stressful part of the journey. I've lost count of how many times I've watched confused travelers standing at the curb, scrolling through ride apps, trying to figure out which terminal they're even at. The truth is, Logan isn't the most intuitive airport when it comes to ground transportation, but once you understand your options, it's actually pretty manageable.
Logan sits right on the harbor, just three miles from downtown Boston. That sounds close, and it is, but those three miles can take anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour depending on traffic, time of day, and which route you take. The Ted Williams Tunnel connects the airport to the city, and during rush hour, it becomes a parking lot. I've sat in that tunnel enough times to have memorized every tile pattern on the walls.
Let's start with the MBTA Silver Line, because it's free from the airport and runs frequently. The SL1 bus connects all terminals to South Station, where you can transfer to the Red Line or commuter rail. It's a solid option if you're traveling light and heading to downtown or South Boston. The buses run every 10-15 minutes during peak hours, and the ride takes about 20-25 minutes to South Station without traffic.
But here's what they don't tell you in the brochures. If you land at Terminal E (international flights), you'll need to take the Massport shuttle to Terminals A or B first before catching the Silver Line. That adds another 10-15 minutes. And if you've got more than a carry-on bag, those buses fill up fast. I watched a family of four with three suitcases each try to board during a Friday evening rush. They didn't make it on the first bus, or the second one either.
Uber and Lyft pickup at Logan has gotten better since they moved the designated areas, but it's still not exactly seamless. Each terminal has specific pickup locations, and you need to follow the signs to "rideshare and taxi" areas. Terminal B's pickup is actually outside and exposed to the weather, which isn't fun when it's 20 degrees in January or pouring rain in April.
The pricing can be all over the place too. A ride to downtown Boston might cost $25 one day and $45 the next, depending on surge pricing. I've had colleagues arrive at Logan for a conference and pay nearly $70 to get to their hotel in Cambridge during evening rush hour. That same trip at 10 AM might have been $30.
Pro Tip: Always check your app before you even collect your bags. If surge pricing is high, sometimes waiting 20-30 minutes can save you significant money. Grab a coffee, let the rush clear out, then request your ride.
This is where professional car services come into play, and I'm not talking about stretch limos. Companies like BlueNileLivery offer flat-rate airport transfers that make a lot of sense for certain travelers. If you're coming in for a business meeting, arriving late at night, or traveling with family and luggage, having a driver waiting with your name on a sign eliminates a ton of stress.
The flat-rate aspect matters more than you'd think. When I travel for work, my company books car service specifically because the finance team knows exactly what the transportation cost will be. No surprise surge pricing, no meter running in traffic. A ride from Logan to downtown Boston typically runs between $75-$95 with a professional service, and that includes meet and greet, luggage assistance, and flight monitoring if you're delayed.
Flight monitoring is actually clutch. Your driver tracks your flight in real-time, so if you land 45 minutes late, they adjust automatically. No frantic texts from the taxi stand, no wondering if your ride bailed. They're there when you walk out of baggage claim.
Boston's taxi system at Logan is well-organized. There are taxi stands at every terminal, and during normal hours, you rarely wait more than a few minutes. The flat rates to certain Boston neighborhoods are posted clearly, which takes the guesswork out of pricing. A taxi to downtown costs around $30-$45 depending on your exact destination.
The downside is that you get what you get. Some cabs are immaculate and drivers are chatty and helpful. Others smell like the previous passenger's fast food, and the driver is laser-focused on getting you to your destination as quickly as possible with minimal conversation. It's a roll of the dice.
All the major rental companies have a consolidated facility at Logan, accessible via shuttle from each terminal. If you're planning to explore beyond Boston proper, visiting family on the North Shore, or heading to Cape Cod, renting makes sense. But if you're staying in the city itself, you probably don't want to deal with parking.
Parking in Boston hotels runs $40-$60 per day, and street parking in popular neighborhoods is basically non-existent. Plus, Boston drivers have a certain reputation for a reason. The roads downtown follow colonial cow paths, not a logical grid, and GPS doesn't always keep up with the one-way streets that seem to change direction at random.
The right transportation option really depends on your specific situation. Solo business traveler heading to a downtown hotel? Silver Line or rideshare works fine. Family of four with luggage going to Brookline? Pre-arranged car service saves the hassle. Weekend getaway and you need wheels to explore? Renting a car makes sense.
What I've learned after dozens of trips through Logan is that the "cheapest" option isn't always the best value. Factor in your time, stress level, and the total door-to-door experience. Sometimes paying a bit more for reliable, comfortable transportation means you actually start your Boston visit or business trip in a good mood instead of frazzled and exhausted.
One last thing to keep in mind is that Logan is undergoing continuous construction and improvements. Terminal layouts change, pickup areas move, and new options emerge. Always check current information before you travel, and build in some extra time if you're connecting to another flight or have a time-sensitive meeting.
Boston Logan offers plenty of ground transportation choices, each with trade-offs. Know your priorities, understand the realistic costs and timing for each option, and book ahead when reliability matters most. Your Boston experience starts the moment you land, so make that first leg of the journey count.
