Moving to HBS and the Greater Boston Area

Driving & Transportation

There are many options for transportation in the greater Boston area. Boston has a fantastic public transportation system, taxi cabs are readily available, Harvard has its own shuttle for local travels, and there is a ZipCar on campus! Owning a car in Boston and navigating the streets can be slightly tricky, but most people get then hang of it quickly. Just be sure you check out a map before you go! Getting out of the city is easy too with frequent shuttle busses & trains to NYC, and easy access to Logan Airport .


Owning a Car in Boston

You will need to consider a few issues if bringing your car to Boston:
1. Obtaining car insurance
2. Getting your car registered in Massachusetts
3. Parking at the HBS Campus and surrounding neighborhoods.
Visit the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles website for specific requirements, hours of operation, forms, fees, etc. The most convenient place to go for license plates and other car issues is the Watertown Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) located at the Arsenal Mall in Watertown (about a five-minute drive from campus - head west on Western Avenue). It is a good idea to take cash and/or your checkbook, because credit cards are only accepted for specific fees.

Driver’s License
In order to retain driving privileges, any out of state or foreign licensed driver MUST obtain a Massachusetts driver’s license upon becoming a Massachusetts resident. If you currently carry a valid license from another state, you may be eligible to submit your license for conversion. If you hold a license from another country, you will be required to take both the written and road tests.

Driving Schools
American Driving Institute Inc., 435 Hyde Park Ave; Boston, MA, 617-325-1891
Brookline Driving School, 167 Corey Rd; Brookline, MA, 617-232-9400
Lexington Driving School, 142 Massachusetts Ave; Lexington, MA, 781-646-5000

Automobile Insurance
The law requires you to have a minimum liability car insurance policy from a company licensed to sell insurance in Massachusetts. Collision and other non-required coverages are optional. Insurance in Boston is very expensive compared to other U.S. cities because of state regulation. Rates are based on where you live, your driving record, and how often you plan to drive the car. Plan on providing evidence of 6 years of driving records when applying for insurance.

Once you obtain insurance, your agent will provide you with a RMV1 form required by the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to obtain Massachusetts plates and registration. Many insurance companies require an Insurance Inspection to be performed at a local gas/service station. In most cases this inspection is free.

Massachusetts Automobile Registration
To register your car, you must have an authorized Massachusetts insurance agent fill out, stamp and sign a RMV1 form. Take this completed form to any full-service registry branch office, along with your out-of-state title and registration. Credit cards are not accepted for vehicle titling or registration. Within seven days of registering your car, you must have a safety and emissions inspection performed at one of many local service stations/gas stations. The inspection is $29. Note: If you know that your vehicle has a defect that will prevent it from passing inspection (i.e. broken windshield, and etc.) try to rectify it before hand, otherwise you will fail the safety inspection. Technically it is against the law to drive around with a "rejected" inspection sticker on your window. You may have your vehicle repaired at any facility and return to the same inspection station for one free re-inspection within 60 calendar days. If the failure is emissions related, you have 60 days from the date of the initial test to have your emissions problems fixed and pass a re-inspection. Failure to do so will result in the suspension of your vehicle's registration.

Excise Tax
Excise tax on your vehicle is levied separately by your city or town. Expect to receive your tax bill in the mail. Cambridge residents can find excise tax and rate information here. Boston residents, click here.

If You Plan on Buying a Car Here
If you buy from a car dealer, most of the paperwork will be taken care of for you. The dealer will provide the RMV1 form and you must take it to your insurance agent to be stamped. If you buy from an individual, you must immediately register the car in your own name. There is a 7 day grace period only if you currently have another car registered in Massachusetts which you have lost possession of or disposed of. You will need to obtain the RMV1 form from your insurance agent and present it, along with the previous owner's title, at a full service branch of the Registry of Motor Vehicles. A sales tax of 5% will be collected upon registration.

Parking on the HBS Campus & Surrounding Neighborhoods
Students commuting by car to school will need to purchase a parking permit, as will all residents at Soldiers Field Park and One Western Avenue who plan to park their cars onsite. The parking at HBS (as well as at the apartment complexes) is not controlled by the Business School, but rather by Harvard University Parking Services. Visit their website for more information on the fees and requirements for obtaining parking permits. If you live off campus on plan on parking along the streets, it is likely that you will need a resident parking permit. Be sure to ask about this while you are apartment hunting. Visit the City of Cambridge or City of Boston websites to get information on obtaining these permits. Public Transportation

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is the public transportation system made up of the local subway system (called the "T"), local trains (commuter rail), and buses, which serve the greater Boston area. Many places can be reached easily by bus and/or subwayYou can buy T passes, known as Charlie Cards, at every subway stop. If you plan to use public transportation frequently, consider purchasing a monthly pass. There are several types of passes sold such as subway, bus, commuter rail, and combination passes. Approximate operation time is 5:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Subway stations and bus stops are marked with a "T" sign.

Taxi Cabs
It is relatively easy to get a cab in Boston or Cambridge. Look for cab stations at Harvard Square or in front of Soldiers Field Park apartment complex at HBS. You can hail a taxi in the street, wait for a taxi at a cabstand or call a cab company to make arrangements to be picked up. A cab ride from HBS to the airport will run you approximately $40. From the HBS campus to downtown, it will cost approximately $15. It is customary to tip the driver 10-15% of the fare.

Ambassador Brattle Cab, 617-492-1100
Town Taxi, Boston, 617-536-5000
Yellow Cab, Cambridge, 617-876-5000
Checker Cab, Boston, 617-536-7000
Checker Cab, Cambridge, 617-497-1500
Red Cab, Brookline, 617-734-5000
Green Cab, Somerville, 617-628-0600
Boston Cab, Boston, 617-536-5010

Harvard Transportation
Harvard Shuttle
These buses run on five different routes, covering most of the main streets of the Cambridge campus. These buses are open to all students and partners. Brochures listing the various routes and schedule times are available at the information booth in the Holyoke Center, at the Soldiers Field Park Management Office, as well as on the buses themselves.

Harvard After-hours Van Service
A great option if you are on campus for events or out late at a dinner in Cambridge. The Evening Van Service is designed to transport faculty, staff, as well as students and partners safely about the campus area (Cambridge and Allston) as a supplement to the shuttle bus system. The service operates between 7 p.m. and 2:30 a.m., seven days a week throughout the entire year, including summer and break periods. No advance arrangements are needed. To request a ride, call 617-495-0400. It usually takes about 10-15 minutes for the van to arrive.

Car Rentals
ZipCar
Zip cars are available for rent on an hourly or daily basis. Cars are parked throughout Boston and Cambridge for pick up. One car is even located on the HBS campus. All maintenance and insurance is included in the rental fee. Sign up for annual membership online, then reserve your car online.

Enterprise Rent-a-Car
Choose your Enterprise location, choose your times, then choose a car. Renting a car with Enterprise is just that easy!

Traveling Outside of Boston
Buses and Amtrak trains go to New York City, Washington, D.C., etc. with connections to all parts of the country. Commuter Rail lines stop in Boston at North Station, South Station, Porter Square and Back Bay T Stops and connect to the suburbs outside of Boston.

Amtrak
Greyhound
Peter Pan
Chinatown Buses
Travel Pack USA
Sunshine Travel

Logan International Airport
Logan International Airport

For transportation to and from the airport:

MBTA Subway
Most direct and least expensive way to travel to the airport. The blue line T has a stop at the airport. Free shuttle buses provide connections from the airport T stop and all airport terminals.