The Boston Marathon remains the world's oldest and one of the most prestigious annual marathons. Each year, the MBTA accommodates thousands of participants and fans attending the event. Customers are urged to take public transportation to and from the Boston Marathon and advised to check T-Alerts for the most up-to-date service information prior to Marathon Monday.

• Getting to the Starting Line
• Getting to the Finish Line
• Where Can Fans Watch the Race?
• Paying Your Fare
• Spending the Weekend in Boston
• Boston Marathon Media Coverage
• Boston Marathon Frequently Asked Questions

Getting to the Starting Line

The Boston Marathon begins on East Main Street in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Official Marathon participants should note that the only guaranteed mode of transportation on the morning of the race is the authorized Boston Athletic Association buses that load on the Tremont Street-side of the Boston Common. This area is easily accessed via the Green Line at Boylston Street Station and Arlington Street Station, the Green and Red Line at Park Street Station, the Orange Line at Chinatown Station, the Orange and Red Line at Downtown Crossing Station , and the Green and Blue Line at Government Center Station.

For more starting line information for Marathon runners, visit the Boston Athletic Association's Boston Marathon website.

Marathon fans and spectators can take the Framingham/Worcester Line Commuter Rail from the Downtown Boston area at South Station or Back Bay Station to Framingham Station.

For a full course map of the Boston Marathon, visit the Boston Athletic Association's Boston Marathon website.

Getting to the Finish Line

The course of the Boston Marathon finishes on Boylston Street near the John Hancock Tower and the Boston Public Library in Downtown Boston's Copley Square area. Fans and participants should note that Copley Station is CLOSED during the day of the Boston Marathon. Using the T to get to the finish line is the easiest transportation option with convenient Green Line stops at Arlington Station, Hynes Convention Center Station, and Prudential Station as well as the Orange Line and Commuter Rail stop at Back Bay Station.

For a full course map of the Boston Marathon, visit the Boston Athletic Association's Boston Marathon website.

Where Can Fans Watch the Race?

Which part of Boston will you be cheering from during the Marathon? Check out the official course map of the Boston Marathon for more information. The Boston Athletic Association's Spectator Information Page lists race day schedules, optimal viewing times and locations, parking information, road closures, and much more.

Spectators and fans can also reach the race via these MBTA Stations along the course:

• The Framingham/Worcester Line Commuter Rail (Framingham, West Natick, Natick, Wellesley Square, and Wellesley Hills Stations).
• Boston College Station on the Green Line B-Branch
• All surface-level stop on the C-Branch of the Green Line
• Kenmore Station, Hynes Convention Center Station, and Arlington Street Stations on the Green Line. To view the exciting finish, Kenmore Square is located at the one-mile-to-go marker.
• Back Bay Station on the Orange and Commuter Rail Lines

Paying Your Fare

You can buy a one-way CharlieTicket for $2.50, a one-day LinkPass for $11.00, and a one-week LinkPass for $18.00 using cash or credit/debit cards at machines located inside all underground MBTA stations. Also please note that CharlieTickets purchased onboard MBTA buses or onboard above-ground Green Line trolleys are cash-only. One-day and one-week LinkPasses allow you unlimited travel on all Subway Lines, Local Buses, Commuter Rail Zone 1A Lines, and Inner-Harbor Ferries for the number of days printed on your pass. For more information about paying your fare, visit our Fare page.

Spending the Weekend in Boston

If you are planning on spending a few days in the City of Boston, there is a great selection of tours, shows, events, and shops within walking distance of MBTA stations and bus stops. Visit the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau for more information on what to do and where to stay in Boston.

Boston Marathon Media Coverage

Live local coverage can be found on WBZ-TV, or boston.cbslocal.com. Live national TV coverage can be watched on the Universal Sports Television Network with live online streaming at universalsports.com. Live web coverage can also be found on baa.org.

Boston Marathon Frequently Asked Questions

• Which stations are closed during the Boston Marathon?
• How is my bus route affected?
• Do Marathon participants ride free?
• What streets are closed during the Boston Marathon and how long will they be closed?
• How early does subway and bus service run? How late does subway and bus service run?
• Is there a special holiday schedule on Marathon Monday?

Which stations are closed during the Boston Marathon?

To accommodate large crowds in the Downtown Boston area, Copley Station is closed during the day.

How is my bus route affected?

During the day of the Boston Marathon, some bus routes may be rerouted to prevent disruption during the race. Visit our Events page prior to the Marathon for a full listing of rerouted buses as well as full service schedules the day of the race.

Do Marathon participants ride free?

All MBTA passengers must pay their full fare unless otherwise noted. Visit our Fare page for full fare information.

What streets are closed during the Boston Marathon and how long will they be closed?

Many streets along the Marathon course will be closed to traffic on race day. Others in the Boston area will be closed a few days earlier to prepare the finish line area. Visit the Boston Athletic Association's Boston Marathon website for a listing of street closures.

How early does subway and bus service run? How late does subway and bus service run?

Visit our Hours of Operation page to view first and last trip times for the Red, Blue, Orange, Green, Silver, and Mattapan Lines. For full bus service schedules, including first and last trip times, visit our Bus Schedules page.

Is there a special holiday schedule on Marathon Monday?

The Boston Marathon is held on Patriots' Day every year. Patriots' Day is a public holiday in Massachusetts that commemorates the anniversary of the first battles of the American Revolutionary War, the Battles of Lexington and Concord. As a result, the MBTA runs a special holiday service schedule. Please visit our Events & Holidays page for information regarding Patriots' Day service schedules.