If you're flying into to Boston and looking for the fastest, easiest, and most convenient way to get Downtown, no need to look farther:  just hop on a water taxi from Logan Airport and enjoy the scenic cruise across the Harbor.

In around 10-15 minutes (depending on where you're going), you'll pull up at a wharf on the Downtown waterfront - although you can also choose to be dropped off at stops in the North End, Seaport, East Boston, Charlestown, and even the CruisePort terminal in South Boston.

If you have reservations at one of the top hotels on or near the waterfront, you'll stroll into the lobby within just three or four minutes, maybe even less, after getting off your water taxi. 

If you're heading to another Boston location away from the waterfront, take the water taxi to the nearest drop-off point near South or North Station and then hop on the T (Boston's subway) to reach your final destination.

Boston usually has two excellent local water taxi services, although just one of them, Boston Water Taxi, is currently operating.  It will pick you up at the Logan Dock, which you can easilly reach by taking the airport shuttle bus from your terminal plus very short walk from the dock. 

The other service, Boston Water Bus Service, is expected to resume operations in the future.

Boston Water Taxi's fleet operates year-round, and boats are fully enclosed and heated during colder months.

Find out more about Boston water taxis

Traveling by water taxi to and from the airport could not be easier.  

But here are 3 tips to make your water taxi trips between Downtown Boston (and other locations) and the airport even easier.

Top photo:  Water taxi taking passenger from Logan Airport to Downtown Boston - Photo courtesy of Boston Harbor Cruises

Boston Discovery Guide is a reader-supported publication.  When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost for you.  Learn more


1.  Logan Airport Water Taxi Boarding Information

Signs directing you to Logan Dock, where you'll board a water taxi, are posted in many places throughout the airport.  

If for some reason you don't spot them, here's what to do: 

After you collect your checked bags, go to the Ground Transportation area in your arrival terminal at Logan.  Get onto Massport's complimentary shuttle bus #66, which provides free service to Logan Dock (as well as to all the other airport terminals).

Let the driver know that you're going to the Logan Dock and will need a water taxi.  The driver will call ahead to say that a passenger is on the way. 

Once you arrive at Logan Dock, tell the dispatcher where you want to go on the Boston waterfront.  You don't need to know the name of a particular wharf - just the name of your hotel or another destination such as South Station or TD Garden is enough.  If you want a particular taxi service, you need to ask for it by name.

Alternately, you can call for a water taxi yourself once you're on the #66 shuttle bus.  The advantage to doing this is that it may shorten your wait.

Water taxis usually take about 5-10 minutes to arrive after being called.  You can find their phone numbers here.

Water taxis are designed to navigate through wind, snow, and ice.  The boats are covered and heated during winter months, keeping the ride warmer and more comfortable than you might expect.

Occasionally, if the Boston weather is very bad (for example, near-hurricane force wind or a blinding snow storm), the water taxi companies suspend service for safety reasons.  Of course, those conditions usually ground flights as well so if these extreme conditions occur, you probably will not be landing at Logan until the weather calms down.

If you need more information about the #66 shuttle bus service or the Logan Dock, call 800-235-6426 (TTY: 1-800-262-3335).


2.  Affordable Water Taxi Fares

Both water taxi companies offer Boston Logan airport transportation from Logan Dock to Downtown wharfs such as Central Wharf, Long Wharf, and Rowes Wharf, as well as between many other points along Boston's waterfront. 

Rates differ slightly by company.  Boston Harbor Cruises charges $12 per person each way for all stops on their map, except for the Black Falcon Pier (where cruise boats dock), which is $20.  Children under 12 ride free with a paying adult, and if you have a same-day ticket for another BHC ferry or excursion, you'll get a reduced rate.

Rowes Wharf Water Transport also charges $12 per person for the 7-minute trip from Boston Logan Airport to the Downtown wharfs, but offers a round-trip ticket for $20, and special deals for cruise ship passengers arriving at the CruisePort Terminal.

Both water taxi companies offer additional specials and deals - find out more here

Boston water taxi going past the Battery Wharf area to Logan Airport
Boston water taxi going past the Battery Wharf area to Logan Airport

3.  Water Taxi Departure / Arrival Locations and Map

Boston's water taxis can pick up (and drop off) passengers at any point along the waterfront with a dock or wharf where they can pull up.  

Massport's map shows many of these locations.  (You can also see Boston Harbor Cruises' map and Rowes Wharf's map on our water taxi page.)

Massport's Boston water taxi landing map showing nearby hotels
Massport's Boston water taxi landing map showing nearby hotels

In addition to the popular Logan - Downtown route, the water taxis can be the fastest way to get to a lot of points along the Inner Harbor for a reasonable rate.

Depending on where you're going, water taxis can also be cheaper than land taxis.

To be fair . . . you can travel back and forth between downtown and Logan Airport for even less money if you take the T (Boston's subway). 

However, the "catch" is that only the Blue Line goes to the Airport stop, which means that unless the Aquarium stop (next to the New England Aquarium and Long Wharf Marriott Hotel) is where you need to be, the water taxi offers a lot more flexibility and convenience due to all of its arrival/departure locations along the waterfront.   Plus, you get to enjoy beautiful views of Boston from the boat!


More about Hotels near the Water Taxi Arrival/Departure Locations

Want to know more about the hotels shown on the Massport water taxi landing map above?

Read reviews and find lowest rates:

  • Constitution Inn - Affordable, comfortable hotel in the historic Charlestown Navy Yard
  • Residence Inn Tudor Wharf - Upscale waterfront suite hotel just 5 minutes from TD Garden
  • Battery Wharf Hotel (formerly a Fairmont property) - Spectacular waterfront property in the historic North End neighborhood
  • Onyx Hotel - Part of the Kimpton hotel group, this stylish boutique hotel sports a location close to TD Garden
  • The Boxer Boston (formerly Bulfinch Hotel) - A "flatiron" shape and contemporary decor give this boutique hotel close to TD Garden and Government Center a cool vibe
  • Bostonian Hotel - Overlooking Faneuil Marketplace and Boston's Greenway, this popular hotel is surprisingly affordable
  • Boston Marriott Long Wharf - Waterfront hotel next to the Boston Aquarium and Faneuil Marketplace - huge favorite with families!
  • Harborside Inn - One of Boston's best-kept hotel bargain "secrets" - very nice affordable boutique hotel with a near-waterfront location close to Faneuil Marketplace
  • Marriott's Custom House - Luxury resort time-share property in a historic Boston landmark
  • The Dagny Boston - High end business hotel in a spacious and gracious historic building in the Financial District
  • Boston Harbor Hotel - 5-star luxury waterfront hotel - home to the renowned Boston Wine Festival and Summer in the City concerts and movies
  • The Langham Boston - Elegant British-owned hotel in a historic building - don't miss the chocolate bar and afternoon tea!
  • InterContinental Boston - Luxury waterfront hotel with a renowned spa
  • Seaport Hotel - Gracious hotel with Boston Harbor views in a great South Boston Waterfront location
  • Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel - Very nice business hotel next to the Convention Center; excellent on-site comedy club
  • Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel - Lovely hotel close to Boston's Cruise Terminal
  • Hyatt Harborside at Logan Airport - Spectacular views of the Boston city skyline from this waterfront airport hotel
  • Hilton Hotel at Logan Airport - This is where to stay when you want or need to stay as close to the airport terminals as possible
  • Embassy Suites at Logan Airport - Affordable suites hotel close to Boston Logan Airport
  • Marriott Envoy Hotel - Very nice hotel with a spectacular rooftop bar near the Boston Children's Museum
  • Marriott Residence Inn Seaport - Distinctive suites hotel in the art-filled Fort Point/Seaport neighborhood

Need a Boston Hotel or Apartment?

Use this handy map from Booking.com to find the perfect place to stay.  Just enter your dates to find what's available, see the best rates, and make your reservations.

Booking.com

Fun Things to See & Do in Boston