Salem | Destinations

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 1-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 1-way ticket costs $25.

Commuter Rail passes for Zone 3 are valid for travel on the 7 AM trip to Boston and the 5:30 PM 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.

This year, many Haunted Happenings events have been scaled back due to COVID-19. The MBTA will not be running additional Commuter Rail trains on the Newburyport/Rockport Line this year.

Learn more about Haunted Happenings 2020

New to Commuter Rail?

Check out our beginner's guide and learn how to pay your fare, navigate stations, board trains, and plan accessible trips.

Beginner's Guide to the Commuter Rail

Weekend Rail

Commuter Rail train crossing a bridge over a river, with lush greenery

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

Learn more about $10 weekends