Salem

In Salem, a jack-o-lantern planter with flowers sits in a windowsill, with the weekend crowd in the background

Just a short distance from Boston, Salem is a popular tourist attraction for its rich colonial history, excellent dining scene, and annual Halloween festival.

Ways to Get to Salem

Commuter Rail

Salem Station is on the Newburyport/Rockport Line. Trains depart from North Station. A standard one-way ticket costs $8.00, and the ride takes about 30 minutes.

Ferry

Boston Harbor Cruises operates a ferry from Long Wharf to Salem during the summer and fall. It's a great way to enjoy the scenic route along the Massachusetts coast. An adult one-way ticket costs $25.

Commuter Rail passes for Zone 3 are valid for travel on the 7 AM ferry trip to Boston and the 5:30 PM ferry trip to Salem. Without a Commuter Rail pass, fares for these commuter trips are $8 one-way, $16 round trip.

Haunted Happenings

Nearly half a million people make the trek to Salem to celebrate Halloween every October. Haunted Happenings, a highlight of these spooky celebrations, features a parade, a street fair, film nights, ghost tours, costume balls, haunted houses, and live music.

Learn more about Haunted Happenings

Commuter Rail Schedule

During the height of Haunted Happenings festivities, additional trains to Salem are added to the regular Newburyport/Rockport Line to accommodate increased ridership. Weekend passes are available for $10, and allow for unlimited trips on the Commuter Rail on Saturday and Sunday.

View the Salem 2023 train schedule