MAPS / PAYMENT / BOARDING
How to ride the MBTA subway in Boston
Based on official agency instructions · Sources checked 2026-10-24 · Independent guide
Start with the MBTA subway map and your destination station. The Green Line has branches, so compare the branch and destination on the schedule with the train's sign. Where signs say inbound, the MBTA means travel toward the downtown stations near Boston Common; outbound travels away from that central area.
At a gated subway station, pay before reaching the platform. Contactless bank cards and mobile wallets use the Charlie reader; a CharlieCard uses the fare gate or farebox target. At street-level Green Line and Mattapan stops, payment happens on the vehicle. MBTA's contactless instructions say to keep the same payment method throughout your trip and wait for the acceptance screen.
An accessible station listing and a working elevator are separate things to check. Use the Subway Access Guide for boarding arrangements and station accessibility, then check current access alerts. Staff or station call boxes can arrange bridge-plate assistance on the Red, Orange and Blue lines; the Green Line has its own accessible boarding instructions.
Your boarding checklist
- Choose the line, branch, direction and boarding station for your travel date.
- Check MBTA alerts before leaving, including any elevator or station access changes.
- Pay at the gate or street-level boarding reader, then confirm the train's destination before boarding.
- Watch and listen for your stop. Request street-level Green Line and Mattapan stops using the onboard stop request control.
Open schedules and stop departures
Official maps and instructions
Payment rules, station access and service can change. Follow current agency instructions and posted signs for your journey.