Commuter Rail Fares | Fares Overview (2024)

During theSumner Tunnel closureJuly 5 August 5,Newburyport/Rockport linetrips will be$2.40, or you can use aZone 1Apass.

One-Way Fares

Commuter Rail One-Way

$2.40 – $13.25

with CharlieTicket or mTicket App

Price based on distance traveled

Commuter Rail One-Way

with CharlieTicket or mTicket App

Price based on distance traveled

$2.40 – $13.25

Learn about Commuter Rail zones

Commuter Rail Weekend Pass

$10.00

with CharlieTicket, cash, or mTicket App

Commuter Rail Weekend Pass

with CharlieTicket, cash, or mTicket App

$10.00

Learn about $10 weekends

You can also buy $10 Commuter Rail tickets on select holidays.

Learn more about $10 Commuter Rail Holiday Passes

Fare Calculator

Choose your origin and destination to calculate your fare with our Trip Planner.

Commuter Rail Fare Zones

Each Commuter Rail station is located in a fare zone, from 1A – 10. Your Commuter Rail fare depends on which zones your boarding and exiting stations are located in.

Learn more about Commuter Rail zones

Download a Commuter Rail zones map

Passes

The price of your monthly Commuter Rail pass depends on which zones your boarding and exiting stations are located in.

Monthly passes can be purchased at fare vending machines or on mTicket starting on the 15th of the month prior. Printed passes need to be ordered between the 15th and 22nd of the month prior to be shipped.

Note:Reduced monthly Commuter Rail passes are available for eligible riders. Passes can be purchased on either a CharlieTicket or via the mTicket app.

Monthly Commuter Rail Pass CharlieTicket

$90.00 – $426.00

Unlimited travel for 1 calendar month

Valid on:

  • Commuter Rail, up to designated pass zone
  • Subway
  • Bus
  • Charlestown Ferry
  • East Boston Ferry (seasonal)
  • Hingham/Hull Ferry with Zone 6 passes and up
  • Lynn Ferry with Zone 2 passes and up(seasonal)
  • Winthrop/Quincy Ferry with Zone 1 passes and up(seasonal)

Please note:

  • Zone 1A passes not valid on Express Bus
  • Interzone passes not valid on subway, Express Bus, and ferry

Monthly Commuter Rail Pass mTicket

$80.00 – $416.00

Valid on:

No transfers to other modes

  • Commuter Rail, up to designated pass zone
  • All MBTA ferries

1-Day Commuter Rail Zone 1A Pass

$11.00

Unlimited travel for 24 hours

Valid on:

  • Commuter Rail Zone 1A
  • Subway
  • Local Bus
  • Charlestown Ferry
  • East Boston Ferry(seasonal)

7-Day Commuter Rail Zone 1A Pass

$22.50

Unlimited travel for 7 days

Valid on:

  • Commuter Rail Zone 1A
  • Subway
  • Local Bus
  • Charlestown Ferry
  • East Boston Ferry(seasonal)

Weekend Pass

$10.00

  • Unlimited travel to all zones on all lines
  • Valid Saturdays and Sundays
  • Available onboard trains, at ticket windows, and from mTicket

Valid only on:
Commuter Rail

5-day Flex Pass

$21.60 - $119.25

  • Get five 1-day passes for a 10% discount compared to round-trip travel
  • 1-day passes valid for 24 hours of unlimited travel
  • Usepassesanytime within30-days after purchase
  • Available only in the mTicket app

Valid only on:
Commuter Rail, up to designated pass zone

No transfers to other modes

$10 Commuter Rail Weekends

Take unlimited Commuter Rail trips on Saturdays, Sundays and select holidays for just $10.

Learn more about weekend passes

Perq

Commuter Rail Fares | Fares Overview (3)

Get monthly passes—at pre-tax rates—through your employer.

Learn more about Perq

How to Pay Your Commuter Rail Fare

First, choose how you'll pay your fare

Conductors will check your ticket or pass after you board the train.

During Fare Is Fair events, your ticket may be checked at any point during your trip, including before you board or after you get off the train.

Note: CharlieCards are not accepted on Commuter Rail with the exception of cards with monthly Commuter Rail passes. These cards are printed with the month and zone of the pass and can be used to pay for both bus/subway and Commuter Rail.

CharlieTicket

Best for frequent Commuter Rail riders who also take the subway or bus
Monthly passes available (1-Day and 7-Day passes also available for Zone 1A)
No online cardmanagement
No discounts

One-way and round trip tickets valid on:
Commuter Rail, up to designated zone

Monthly passes valid on:
Commuter Rail, up to designated zone
Subway
Bus
Charlestown Ferry
East Boston Ferry(seasonal)
Hingham/Hull Ferry with Zone 6 passes and up

Note: Interzone passes not valid on subway, Express Bus, and ferry

mTicket

Best for infrequent Commuter Rail riders or pass holders who don't often take subway or bus
$10 discount on monthly passes
10% discount for 5-day Flex Pass
Convenient smartphone app for ticket purchase and validation
Option to purchase multiple tickets
Only one monthly pass per app or device
No transfers

Valid on:

Commuter Rail, up to designatedzone
All MBTA ferries

Cash Onboard

Best for infrequent Commuter Rail riders at stations where tickets can’t be purchased at fare vending machines or ticket windows
May include a $3 fee if you board at a station where tickets can be purchased
Only available for one-way and round trip tickets
Not available during Fare is Fair events

Note: All Commuter Rail passes for one-way and round-trip travel expire 90 days from the purchase date.

You can also use your EBT card to load value or passes onto a CharlieTicket at fare vending machines, the CharlieCard Store, and MBTA retail sales locations that accept EBT cards.

Learn how to pay with your EBT card

As of Tuesday, September 5, 2023, the CharlieCard Store has been temporarily relocated to the State Transportation Building at 10 Park Plaza, due to maintenance issues.

Learn more about the temporary CharlieCard Store relocation

Auto-pay Monthly Passes

Sign up for Auto-pay so you never have to worry about reloading your CharlieCard again. Signing up is quick and easy, and your pass renews automatically each month.

Learn more about Auto-pay

Then, choose where to buy your ticket or pass

One-way, round trip, 5-day Flex Passes, reduced fare and monthly Commuter Rail passes for all zones are available on the mTicket App.

Credit and debit cards are accepted.

Watch an instructional video

For issues with the mTicket app you can email customerservice@keoliscs.com or call 617-222-3200.

You can purchase one-way, round trip, and monthly Commuter Rail passes for all zones and reduced fare 10-ride ticket bundles from agents at:

  • North Station
  • South Station
  • Back BayStation

If you need to upgrade a pass to a higher zone you can visit the booths are North or South Station, or the CharlieCard Store. You will be charged for the price difference. If you are downgrading a pass, refunds will not be issued.

Cash and credit/debit cards are accepted.

One-way, round trip, and monthly Commuter Rail passes up to Zone 10* are available at fare vending machines, which are located at all subway stations and the Lynn and Worcester/Union Commuter Rail stations.

Most machines accept cash, major credit/debit cards, and EBT cards. Some machines only accept credit/debit/EBT cards and are marked to indicate that they don’t accept cash.

* Interzone tickets and passes are not available from fare vending machines.

You can order monthly Commuter Rail passes for all zones online. Passes will be mailed to you.

Credit and debit cards are accepted.

Buy a monthly Commuter Rail pass online

You can also sign up for Auto-pay, a monthly Commuter Rail pass that automatically renews each month.

Sign up for Auto-pay

You can purchase one-way, round trip, and monthly Commuter Rail passes up to Zone 10 at retail stores around Greater Boston and Providence.

Cash and credit/debit cards are accepted. Some locations also accept EBT cards.

Find a retailstore near you

When you're ready to board the train

The conductor will verify your fare payment after you board the train. The conductor may tuck a small piece of paper on the seat back in front of you to indicate that you paid your fare.

The only exception to this is during Fare Is Fair events, when your ticket may be checked at any point during your trip, including before you board or after you get off the train.

Commuter Rail Fares | Fares Overview (5)

Show your ticket or pass to the conductor.

Commuter Rail Fares | Fares Overview (6)

  1. Open the mTicket App.
  2. Activate the ticket you would like to use.
  3. Show it to the conductor for verification.

Tickets are valid for three hours after activation. Please note, once a ticket is activated, it cannot be deactivated.

Commuter Rail Fares | Fares Overview (7)

  1. Tell the conductor you would like to pay in cash or with a credit card. They will ask you where you are going, and if you’d like a one-way or round-trip ticket.
  2. Pay the conductor. Keep in mind this may include a $3 fee if you boarded at a station where you could have purchased a ticket at a fare vending machine or ticket window.
  3. The conductor will give you a paper ticket with your origin and destination listed on it. If you’re going round trip, keep this ticket for your return.

Please note that this option is not available during Fare Is Fair events.

Reduced Fares

Some customers are eligible for reduced fares or can ride the T for free.

Learn more about reduced fares

Do You Get T Passes Through Your Job?

Monthly Commuter Rail passes can help you save money, even if you’re working a flexible schedule—just two round trips per week may be enough to make a monthly pass worth it.

See if a monthly pass works for you

Use Your CharlieCard on the Commuter Rail

You can use your CharlieCard to pay for travel within Fairmount Line Zone 1A. Tap your CharlieCard at the fare validators on the platform.

Learn more about CharlieCards

Other MBTA Fares

Subway FaresSee all MBTA subway fares
Bus FaresSee all MBTA bus fares
Ferry FaresSee all MBTA ferry fares
Common FaresSee common fares across all MBTA modes
Commuter Rail Fares | Fares Overview (2024)

FAQs

Can I use my Charlie card on the Commuter Rail? ›

Use Your CharlieCard on the Commuter Rail

You can use your CharlieCard to pay for travel within Fairmount Line Zone 1A. Tap your CharlieCard at the fare validators on the platform.

Is MBTA commuter rail free on weekends? ›

Enjoy unlimited travel on the Commuter Rail for just $10.00 every weekend. Passes are valid on all lines and zones, Saturdays, Sundays and select holidays. You can still buy zoned Commuter Rail tickets or monthly passes at regular cost for non-unlimited travel on weekends.

What is the difference between a train and a Commuter Rail? ›

Compared to rapid transit (or metro rail), commuter/suburban rail often has lower frequency, following a schedule rather than fixed intervals, and fewer stations spaced further apart.

What is the difference between MBTA link pass and zone 1A? ›

The Link Pass is picked up once, lasts for the semester and can be replaced when lost. The Zone 1A Pass must be picked up monthly towards the end of each month (i.e. February's pass will be picked up at the end of January) and cannot be replaced if lost (students must wait for the following month's pass to arrive).

What is the difference between a CharlieCard and a Charlie ticket? ›

The CharlieCard and CharlieTicket

Both of them are reusable and rechargeable and the differences between them are minor. If you are visiting for a limited amount of time, we recommend the CharlieTicket as it might be more convenient. The CharlieTicket can store fares for rides or a T-Pass.

Can you pay with credit card on MBTA Commuter Rail? ›

The MBTA's Fare Transformation will make paying for transit easier and more convenient. Upon completion, you'll be able to: Tap and board at any door with a fare card, smartphone, or contactless credit card. Reload using cash or credit card at vending machines at all stations and some bus stops.

What is the senior age for the MBTA? ›

If you are 65 or older, you are eligible for reduced fares with a Senior CharlieCard.

Is food allowed on MBTA commuter rail? ›

Please be considerate and avoid eating or drinking on MBTA vehicles and in stations. Food and drink must remain in closed containers. Please be considerate and avoid eating or drinking on MBTA vehicles and in stations.

Who can ride free on MBTA? ›

The MBTA offers free service to children, military personnel, public servants, and government officials.
  • Children. Children age 11 and under ride the MBTA for free. ...
  • Military Personnel. Active-duty military personnel ride all MBTA services for free. ...
  • Police Officers and Firefighters. ...
  • Government Officials.

What is the benefit of commuter rail? ›

Commuter rail is safe, congestion-reducing, and environmentally friendly. And Commuter Rail supports the economic wellbeing of cities and families.

Is Amtrak considered commuter rail? ›

Amtrak operates passenger trains nationally through three service lines: Northeast Corridor (NEC), Long-Distance, and State-Supported routes. The NEC, spanning 457 miles from Washington, D.C., to Boston, is heavily traveled, hosting various services and commuter rail operations.

Is the Boston commuter rail the same as the T? ›

It is often referred to simply as the T (the “T” from MBTA—the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority). The trains—or trolleys, as they're sometimes called here—connect downtown Boston to communities within and near the city.

Are there bathrooms on MBTA commuter rail? ›

There are restrooms on Commuter Rail trains, and they are accessible to people with disabilities. They are located at the ends of some cars. Please note that on some trips, the car with a restroom may be closed, but you can ask the conductor for access.

What is the most used line on the MBTA? ›

You can see the busiest stations are all along the Red Line.

Does MBTA commuter rail pass work on subway? ›

Yes, if you buy a monthly Commuter Rail Zone pass - you also get unlimited travel on the local MBTA buses, the express buses, the T (Boston's subway), and the Inner Harbor ferries. From Zones 5 - 10 (I *think* Forge Park is Zone 10, but not 100% sure), the monthly Zone Pass also includes the Commuter Boats.

Is the Commuter Rail MBTA? ›

The MBTA Commuter Rail connects communities in eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island to downtown Boston, with 137 stops throughout the region. The service area includes 12 routes that run 7 days a week, plus special service to Gillette Stadium from Boston and Providence for sporting events and concerts.

Does MBTA PERQ work on Commuter Rail? ›

Perq is the easiest way for you to offer commuter benefits to your employees. Over 1200 employers buy monthly subway, Commuter Rail, bus, and ferry passes directly from the T for their employees each month through Perq.

Can you use tap card on commuter express? ›

The fare is only 50 cents a ride with cash, 35 cents with a TAP card, 25 cents for seniors and the disabled. Access cardholders, Cityride cardholders, and students with a Metro Reduced Fare TAP card travel free. Commuter Express will get you to your destination comfortably, safely and efficiently.

Do commuter cards work on Amtrak? ›

Use the Commuter Card to pay for parking via AMP (AggiePark), your monthly LRPP, or transit fare like with Unitrans or Amtrak. Pause or cancel payroll contributions to your account at any time. There's no “use it or lose it” while you're in the program.

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