The most useful verified facts for a Boston-area trip are the MBTA's $2.40 subway fare and $22.50 7-day pass, and the hotel excises: 5.7% state, a local excise of up to 6.5% for Boston and 2.75% for convention center funding. NOAA's normal highs at Logan Airport run from 36.8°F in January to 82.1°F in July. We verified no attraction prices and no driving times or flight prices.
Quick plan (our recommendation)
This is an editorial plan from official sources, not a trip we took. See the weekend itinerary for a short version.
- Boston and Cambridge: use the MBTA; check each attraction's own site for prices.
- Elsewhere: Salem, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and the Berkshires list no verified details here.
What it costs (verified figures only)
| Item | Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MBTA subway | $2.40 one-way | Bus $1.70; 7-day pass $22.50. Source: MBTA (via search summary). |
| State room occupancy excise | 5.7% | Source: Massachusetts Department of Revenue. |
| Local excise | Up to 6% (6.5% for Boston) | Cities and towns may charge it. Source: Department of Revenue. |
| Convention center excise | 2.75% | Boston, Worcester, Cambridge, Springfield, West Springfield and Chicopee. Source: Department of Revenue. |
Getting around
We verified only the MBTA; see transportation.
When to go
NOAA's 1991–2020 normals for Logan show highs of 76.2–82.1°F from June to August and 36.8–42.2°F in December–February, with up to 14.4 inches of snow in a month. December is the wettest month at 4.30 inches; see the best-time guide.
Safety and practical tips
In summer see National Weather Service heat guidance and use broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen (American Academy of Dermatology). This guide publishes no crime or safety statistics.
What this guide does not cover
We do not rate hotels, restaurants, tours or stores, or claim first-hand visits; see the editorial policy.