Though we love Logan, Boston’s venerable airport is also infamous among pilots and passengers alike for harrowing landings on strips in the middle of the harbor and notorious traffic problems and delays at rush hour or at any sign of inclement weather. Taking the MBTA to Logan Airport is the best bet without too much luggage; it costs only $1.25, and it takes about 45min from the Square. Free shuttle buses leave frequently from the subway stop to individual terminals; just check the signs to see which route passes your airline. Taking or sharing a taxi from Harvard to Logan is not always a bad idea, but it will cost between $30-40 including tip and toll, and takes up to 30min, though the opening of the new tunnel has made the ride speedier, if not cheaper (tunnels mean tolls). Beware of major holidays, when Boston’s enormous student population heads home en masse. Taking a taxi makes the most sense in the middle of the night or the wee hours of the morning, before the T starts running. When taking a cab back to Harvard Sq. from Logan, ask around at the cab line for people heading to Harvard and willing to split the ride.
From the bus terminal of South Station, buses run to Logan Airport. Fare depends on the carrier. A Handicapped-Accessible Van is another service provided by Logan. Information is at the baggage claim, or call 617 561-1769.
Massport (www.massport.com), Logan Airport’s comprehensive website, is your resource, with up-to-date information on arrivals and departures, airlines, terminals, transportation to and from Logan, weather, parking, and more, as well as a flight tracker.
Providence’s airport is a model of efficiency and modernity—in many ways the opposite of Logan. While the reasons to head from the Boston metropolitan area all the way down to Rhode Island are few (in fact, only one stands out—Southwest Airlines), the 45min drive is easier than the drive into Logan on some days, thanks to bizarre Boston traffic patterns. Southwest Airlines’ entry into the Providence market has brought their trademark super-low fares and friendly, no-frills 737 service into our neck of the woods. How to get there from here? With a car, take I-95 S. If you’re auto-less, try Peter Pan Bonanza, which charges only $19 one-way ($34 round-trip) from South Station to T.F. Green (1½hr).
For information about flights from Logan, call individual airlines or contact a travel agent who will quote the lowest rates and reserve seats free-of-charge. Delta and US Airways run regular shuttles to New York’s LaGuardia. If you’re looking for bargains, remember that making reservations a month in advance can often result in a savings of nearly 50%. Some carriers also provide discounts for students. Airlines’ web pages, in addition to providing a wealth of information about flight schedules, services, etc., often have unadvertised specials and sign-up forms for email lists of last-minute discount airfares. Continental, American, TWA, and US Airways all run such lists.
Unfortunately, the current state of the airline industry (not to mention the global economy at large) has lead US Airways Shuttle and Delta Shuttle to discontinue the student flight-packs that Harvard kids craving a slice of the Big Apple have known and loved over the years. In the good ol’ days, the shuttle was inarguably the most convenient: total flying time was under 1hr, one only need board a few minutes before departure, and it was inexpensive for students, even compared to the bus and train. While both airlines continue to offer the same speedy shuttle service, the student packs are no longer available; instead, departure times must be selected in advance. The earlier you purchase your round-trip flight, the cheaper it’ll be, though we’re still talking in the $200 range roundtrip. The Boeing 727-stretch jets depart from Logan for LaGuardia every hr 6:30am-9:30pm (more during “rush hours”), with Delta leaving on the ½hr and US on the hr.
