Destination Fenway: How to Travel to Boston from NH/ME and Not Miss the First Pitch!

The Fenway faithful are known to drive hours upon hours just to catch a glimpse of their beloved ballplayers. Driving is considered by some to be most convenient because it’s on your schedule, but too often it comes with headaches related to traffic, as well as finding and paying for parking.

If you’re coming from the New Hampshire Seacoast or Southern Maine you have to take Interstate 95 to get into Mass., but your options to get to Fenway vary from there on out. Your choices include:

Option A — This route is easily the most scenic (i.e. Hilltop Steakhouse sign) but can also be the most challenging in terms of traffic. Follow these directions from I-95 and have some patience:

• Take Exit 46 onto US-1 in Saugus
• Continue onto US-1 S to Boston and take exit toward Fenway from Storrow Drive
• Continue on Storrow Drive and take Fenway exit
• Turn right onto Boylston Street toward game parking

Option B — Instead of taking Exit 46 onto US-1, remain on I-95 and follow these directions:

• Take Exit 37A onto Interstate 93 South toward Boston
• Take Exit 26 for MA 3 North toward Storrow Drive
• Continue on Storrow Drive and take Fenway exit

Remember: Be patient. Storrow Drive is infamous for backups, especially an hour or so before game time. The key is to try and get into Boston as early as possible.

Parking Tips: The only downside to driving is finding and paying for parking. In general, parking fees range from hourly rates of $5 to game parking rates starting at $40 depending upon the location and capacity. Check out this helpful map of parking garages near Fenway if you’re unsure where to park your ride.

Sox fans coming from Southern Maine and the NH Seacoast have the option of letting someone else do the driving by hopping on a C&J bus and heading to South Station.

Not only is this option cheaper than driving in and paying for parking, it’s far more convenient (free Wi-Fi, water, newspapers and restrooms).

C&J bus terminals offer plenty of free parking, as well as affordable same-day fares that allow Sox fans to get in and out of Boston for pretty much half the price of paying for parking in and around the Fenway area.

Portsmouth, NH — The C&J Portsmouth Transportation Center is located off Exit 3A (from the North; Exit 3 from the South), Interstate 95, minutes from southern coastal Maine (Kittery, York, Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, Berwick, Wells and more).

• Tickets = $17 one way/$34 round trip (just in case you’re spending the night)
• Same-day fares = $25 R/T (last bus leaves South Station at 1 a.m.)

Dover, NH — The C&J Dover Park n’ Ride bus terminal is conveniently located off Exit 9 of the Spaulding Turnpike, minutes from downtown Dover, Rochester and Somersworth.

• Tickets = $18 one way/$36 round trip
• Same-day fares = $26 R/T (last bus leaves South Station at 1 a.m.)

Newburyport, Mass. — The C&J Newburyport bus terminal is conveniently located just off Storey Ave., right off Interstate 95 and Route 113.

• Tickets = $16 one way/$32 round trip
• Same-day fares = $23 R/T (last bus leaves South Station at 1 a.m.)

When you get to South Station you still have a little way to go to get to Fenway. You can either jump in a cab, request Uber, or hop on the T (short for the MBTA, short for the Bay State’s system of public trains and buses). Be sure to follow these directions if you choose to take the T to Fenway:

• At South Station, board the Red Line (Alewife side).
• Depart from the T at Park Street Station (only two stops from South Station).
• At Park Street, board any B, C, or D-branch Green Line train.
• Travel to Kenmore Square Station.
• Exit Kenmore and follow the Sox fans to Fenway (You can’t miss it).

If you do end up using C&J to get to Fenway be sure to show your appreciation and share your game-day photos on social media by using the hashtag #RideCJtoFenway.

Similar to taking the bus, Sox fans also have the option of hopping on a train and riding it all the way into Boston. While not quite as convenient as taking the bus, riding the train is not a bad idea if you’re able to make the schedule work.

Sox fans coming from New Hampshire and Southern Maine have the following train travel options:

MBTA

Newburyport, Mass. — Sit back and relax by taking the MBTA Commuter Rail into Boston’s North Station. This train station is located at 25 Boston Way, Newburyport, Mass., not far away from Interstate 95 and Route 113.

Once you get to North Station, your best bet is to take the T to Fenway — follow the signs for the Green Line and take the C or E train on Inbound to Kenmore. If you get on an E train at North Station, transfer to a B, C or D train at Copley and go to Kenmore.

Be sure to check the schedule to see if the train times work for your Sox game, as the schedule varies on weekdays and weeknights, and the last outbound train may leave before the end of your Sox game. Ticket pricing information be accessed here. Also, be prepared to pay for parking at the Newburyport station.

* Keep in mind that this train is not ideal for Sox night games.

Amtrak

Exeter, NH — Ride in style to Boston aboard the Amtrak Downeaster from this train station located at 60 Lincoln St., Exeter. The easy to use walk-up kiosk and free parking make this a great option to get to the game.

Dover, NH — All are welcome aboard the Amtrak Downeaster from the Dover Transportation Center located at 33 Chestnut St., Dover.

Parking costs $.25 per hour and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Durham, NH — College kids loving hopping aboard the Amtrak Downeaster from the UNH Durham Train Station located at 3 Depot Rd., Durham, NH.

The cost to park at this station varies by location.

Once on board, these trains offers plenty of leg room, a comfortable seat, free Wi-Fi and concessions.

The Downeaster is a reserved service and tickets are required prior to boarding. Fares vary by train and destination and range from $6 to $29 one-way. Be sure to check the schedules and fare prices.

* Keep in mind that these trains are not ideal for Sox night games.

Be sure to see if you’re eligible for the Fan Fare 25% Off deal, which allows Sox fans to save 25% off the best available fare. (This promotion is valid on Downeaster trains #684, #686, #689, #694, #696 and #699.) Amtrak also offers affordable sports packages for the Sox. (For more information call 207-787-3184 or visit Ourtickets.net.)

At Blue Water Mortgage Corporation, we understand what it means to be a true Red Sox fan — we’ve been sending our friends and clients a Sox schedule every year for the past 13 years. We also routinely reward our clients with tickets to catch the Red Sox in action.

Download our free step-by-step guide to getting a mortgage

As licensed brokers of Massachusetts mortgages, we also recognize what it means to be a resident of the Bay State. Check out this recent post we wrote on Top Things to Know Before Moving to the North Shore of Massachusetts.