We’ve done this trip a bunch of times now, and honestly, it’s super easy no matter how you go. If you’re driving, it’s only about a 40 minute ride from Boston, but that totally depends on traffic. Around Halloween, it can take way longer, especially once you hit downtown Salem. Parking can be a nightmare if you don’t get there early (Which is why I recommend staying within the area, the price is well worth it.) We usually just park at one of the garages near the Witch Museum or the waterfront and walk from there.
If you don’t want to deal with parking (which I totally get), the train is the easiest option. You just hop on the Newburyport/Rockport line from North Station in Boston. It takes about 30 minutes, drops you right in Salem, and from the station, you can walk everywhere. That’s actually my favorite way to do it for people not staying nearby during October because the traffic gets wild, and the train just drops you right into the middle of everything.
There’s also a ferry that runs from Boston to Salem, and that’s a fun one if the weather’s nice. It leaves from Long Wharf in Boston and takes about 50 minutes. It’s not the cheapest option, but it’s a beautiful view, you get ocean views, and when you pull into Salem, you can actually see the Derby Wharf Lighthouse and Salem Harbor before docking. We did it once in October, and it was super cold on the water, so definitely bundle up if you try that.
If you’re visiting in October and staying overnight, I’d say just leave your car in Boston and take the train or ferry. Once you’re in Salem, you really don’t need a car at all, everything’s walking distance, and you’ll save yourself the stress of driving around for parking.
There’s a few ways to get there, but my personal pick is the train from North Station. Cheap, quick, and no traffic headaches.
0 Comments