Public Transit MBTA – bus and subway: Fares are cheaper on the MBTA if you get a Charlie card. At orientation you will receive five 7-day passes. Once you use a pass then the 7 days start counting. The pass gives you unlimited rides on all buses and subway lines (not the commuter line) for 7 days.
Inbound trains are in the direction of Park Street Station. Outbound is any direction away from Park Street.
MBTA Trip planner – input where you are and where you are going and it will tell you the best way to get there on public transportation. Download MBTA maps (PDF)
Apps to use to know when a train or bus is coming:
MBTA Go – official mobile app for live information about MBTA service. You can check arrival times, track vehicles, and learn about the latest service disruptions.
Transit App– real-time arrival predictions for MBTA buses or subway trains.
ProximiT App – real-time arrival predictions for MBTA bus subway.
Local Parking
Harvard Parking Info – parking in Harvard lots, and public lots near Harvard Square.
Parking in Cambridge – To encourage turnover in parking spaces, you can only park at a meter for the maximum allowable time, usually 2 hours. If you put more money in the meter to go past the 2 hours you will get a ticket. You must pay for parking from 8 am-8 pm, a much longer day than most places.
A web-based version of Passport Parking is also available. There is a .50 fee per transaction to use the app.
Passport Parking App – The free PassportParking App is an easy and convenient way to use a debit/credit card to pay for metered parking in Cambridge using a mobile phone or web browser.
Harvard Shuttle bus around campus: Since you will have a Harvard ID you are entitled to ride the Harvard Shuttle bus. Please refer to Harvard Shuttle Tracker for real-time arrival predictions and information regarding changes due to weather, construction, or special events.
Harvard Shuttle bus map