You can get surprisingly far from Boston without driving.
If you need an easy weekend escape, these are five train trips worth saving.
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1. Salem
From: North Station
Train: MBTA Newburyport/Rockport Line
Time: Around 30 to 35 minutes
Best for: History, walking, fall atmosphere
Salem is one of the easiest escapes from Boston, with the train dropping you close to downtown.
October is Salem’s busiest month. Going in September lets you get some of the fall atmosphere before the biggest Halloween crowds arrive.
2. Providence
From: South Station or Back Bay
Train: Amtrak or MBTA Providence/Stoughton Line
Time: Around 30 to 50 minutes by Amtrak, around 65 to 80 minutes by Commuter Rail
Best for: Food, downtown, arts
Providence feels like a proper city trip while still being close enough for an easy day out from Boston.
3. Newburyport
From: North Station
Train: MBTA Newburyport/Rockport Line
Time: Around 1 hour 10 minutes
Best for: Waterfront, small-city energy, walking
Newburyport gives you one of the easiest coastal escapes by Commuter Rail. From the station, the Clipper City Rail Trail connects toward downtown and the Merrimack River waterfront.
4. Rockport
From: North Station
Train: MBTA Newburyport/Rockport Line
Time: Around 1 hour 15 to 20 minutes
Best for: Harbor views, coastal walks, slow weekends
Rockport works especially well when you want a bigger change of scenery without going far from Boston.
Just make sure the train is headed for Rockport, since the Newburyport/Rockport Line splits into two branches.
5. Portland, Maine
From: North Station
Train: Amtrak Downeaster
Time: Around 2 hours 30 minutes
Best for: Overnight weekends or a long day trip
The Downeaster typically runs five round trips a day between Boston and Maine, making Portland possible without driving.
One thing to know before you go: the train arrives at Portland Transportation Center, outside the Old Port. Local transit connects the station with downtown, the waterfront and the Old Port.
One useful Boston train hack
The MBTA offers a $10 Weekend Pass for unlimited Commuter Rail travel across all zones on Saturday and Sunday.
That means the same $10 pass can take you to Salem, Newburyport, Rockport or Providence and cover your return trip on the same weekend.
It is valid on Commuter Rail only, so subway, bus and Amtrak fares are separate.
For Portland, you’ll need an Amtrak ticket. Booking earlier gives you a better chance of finding the lowest available fare.
Save this for the next weekend you need a Boston reset.
Information checked September 3, 2026. Train times are approximate and schedules can change, so check MBTA or Amtrak before leaving.
