About Boston
Boston is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It serves as a cultural and financial center of New England, a region of the Northeastern United States. Boston has an area of 48.4 square miles (125 km2) and a population of 675,647 as of the 2020 census, making it the third-most populous city in the Northeastern United States after New York City and Philadelphia. The larger Greater Boston metropolitan statistical area had a population of 5 million in 2025, making it the largest metropolis in New England and the eleventh-largest in the United States.
Cheap flights to Boston
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $619 from London, travelling 18 Nov – 5 Dec. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- LON London to Boston18 Nov – 5 Dec · BOS from$619
- DUB Dublin to Boston30 Oct – 7 Nov · BOS from$646
- EDI Edinburgh to Boston20 Nov – 29 Nov · BOS from$732
- CPH Copenhagen to Boston5 Nov – 10 Nov · BOS from$785
- PRG Prague to Boston8 Jul – 5 Aug · BOS from$1,062
- MAN Manchester to Boston1 Jul – 26 Jul · BOS from$817
- HEL Helsinki to Boston12 May – 19 May · BOS from$847
- GLA Glasgow to Boston20 Nov – 29 Nov · BOS from$713
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: Finnair, Aer Lingus.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to BostonPlaces to visit in Boston
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Freedom Trail
HistoricA red line in the sidewalk leads past 16 historic sites from Boston Common to the USS Constitution, including churches, burying grounds and Paul Revere's House.
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Boston Common
ParkThe oldest city park in the country, lying beside the Public Garden with its seasonal swan boats, flower beds and the beloved Make Way for Ducklings bronze statues.
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Faneuil Hall
MarketA historic meeting hall where colonists debated independence, now surrounded by Quincy Market's food stalls, shops and street performers, a lively stop along the Freedom Trail.
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North End
NeighborhoodBoston's oldest neighborhood, known for narrow streets packed with Italian restaurants, cafes and pastry shops, and home to Paul Revere's House and the Old North Church.
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Museum of Fine Arts
Museum · 2 mi from centreOne of the major art museums in the country, with Egyptian antiquities, Impressionist paintings, Asian art and American works by artists such as John Singer Sargent.
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Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
MuseumA Venetian palace-style museum around a flowering courtyard, displaying the collector's art exactly as she arranged it, including empty frames left from a famous unsolved art theft.
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Beacon Hill
NeighborhoodA charming neighborhood of brick row houses, gas lamps and narrow streets such as cobbled Acorn Street, next to the gold-domed Massachusetts State House and the antique shops of Charles Street.
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Fenway Park
Entertainment · 2 mi from centreThe historic home of the Red Sox, the oldest active major league ballpark, with its famous Green Monster wall in left field and guided tours offered year-round.
Things to do in Boston by type
43 tours, tickets and experiences across 9 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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City tours 12 experiences Boston City Center: America's Firsts - City Exploration Game -
Tickets & Attraction Passes 9 experiences Boston CityPASS® - Access to 4 Attractions -
Cruise & Water Tours 7 experiences Boston Signature Dinner Cruise -
Gastronomy & nightlife 5 experiences Boston Freedom Trail History and Food - Walking Tour -
Art & culture 4 experiences Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum - Ticket with Guided Tour -
Shows, sports and special events 4 experiences Major League Baseball: Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park – Ticket -
Travel Services 3 experiences SmartSIM USA - eSIM All Access Pass -
Outdoor activities & Adventure 2 experiences Conspiracy in Boston: The President's Secret Society - City Exploration Game! -
Transport & Rentals 2 experiences Fast Ferry to Cape Cod´s Provincetown - Ticket
- 1-3 hours 17
- Flexible 3
- 3-6 hours 3
- Up to 1 hour 1
- Senior 6
- Couples 6
- Families 6
- Youth 6
- Shore excursions 6
- Private 3
Top experiences in Boston
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 43 available.
View Boston - Ticket
From $20 per adult
Boston CityPASS® - Access to 4 Attractions
From $74 per adult
Historical Harbour Cruise
From $40 per adult
New England Aquarium Whale Watching Cruise
From $73 per adult
Boston Old Town Trolley
From $46 per adult
Boston Seafood Experience: A behind the scenes Seaport Tour
From $70 per adult
Haunted Boston Ghost Tour
From $31 per adult
Boston Freedom Trail History and Food - Walking Tour
From $34 per adult
Harvard Square Historical Donut Tour
From $57 per adult
Boston Historic Downtown Tour
From $57 per adult
Go City - Boston Explorer Pass - Access to up to 5 Attractions
From $56 per adult
Boston's Food & History: North End, Freedom Trail, Beacon Hill
From $79 per adult
Where to stay in Boston
Popular hotels in Boston, out of 323 properties you can book.
Hilton Boston Park Plaza
From $239 per night
Bostonian Boston
From $253 per night
Hilton Boston Logan Airport
From $252 per night
Sheraton Boston Needham Hotel
From $131 per night
Cambria Hotel Boston Downtown-South Boston
From $314 per night
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Boston-Cambridge
From $210 per night
The Verve Hotel Boston Natick, Tapestry Collection
From $138 per night
Hampton Inn Boston/Natick
From $110 per night
Hotel Indigo Boston Garden
From $432 per night
Holiday Inn Boston – Cambridge Area
From $150 per night
Hotel Commonwealth
From $351 per night
Residence Inn Boston Downtown/South End
From $251 per night
Best time to visit Boston
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Boston is August to September, when average daytime highs are around 73–80°F and rain falls on about 9 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Boston weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 51° 44° 5%
- Thu 22 Oct 58° 45° 5%
- Fri 23 Oct 52° 44° 5%
- Sat 24 Oct 60° 41° 3%
- Sun 25 Oct 62° 45° 1%
- Mon 26 Oct 67° 49° 1%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/New_YorkUTC−4
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Boston
These are the airports closest to central Boston. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- BOS Logan International Airport3 mi (4 km) from the city centre
Getting around Boston
Unlike other large American cities, Boston is not laid out on a grid. Folklore says modern streets were designed by wandering cows, which is surely a myth. What's more likely is that existing Native American trails were reused and extended over the years. New paths were cut around hills and streams, and shallow marshes were hastily filled in wherever the force of commerce demanded. Even the burning of the city in 1872 wasn't widespread enough to trigger a comprehensive urban update.
By public transit
The best way to get around Boston is the MBTA, or "T" for short. Bostonians complain about it endlessly, but its convenience, affordable cost and extensive coverage are undeniable. As the fourth largest transit system in the US, the T conducts a daily symphony of every conveyance imaginable to move over 1.3 million people to their destinations. Use your favorite mapping application, or the MBTA-endorsed transit app to help plan your route.
Subway
The Red, Orange, and Blue Lines comprise Boston's traditional subway service. One thing Boston does a little differently, is that any transit running into the center is labeled as "inbound" and everything running away as "outbound". There are always signs for the last stop in your direction, in case you find that method more familiar. Train service starts around 5:30AM (6:15 AM Sundays) and ends around 12:30AM, so make your travel plans accordingly.
Green Line
Most people would consider the Green Line a trolley, though it does use a subway tunnel in the city center. When running above ground, the Green line serves many neighborhoods by splitting into four branches: B, C, D, and E. Each branch runs trolleys about every 9-15 minutes or so, it can depend on traffic. The B, C, and D lines converge at Kenmore Station. The E branch is a little wacky, running on the street through Mission Hill and Longwood before joining up with the pack at Copley Station.
Boston travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Boston?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Boston is August to September, when average daytime highs are around 73–80°F and rain falls on about 9 days a month.
What is the weather like in Boston?
July is usually the warmest month in Boston, with average highs of 85°F (29°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 22°F (-6°C). The wettest month is typically May, with about 156 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Boston?
Logan International Airport (BOS) is the closest airport, about 3 miles (4 km) from the centre of Boston.
How much are flights to Boston?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Boston in the last 30 days was $619 from London, travelling 18 Nov – 5 Dec. November is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $619.
What time zone is Boston in?
Boston uses the America/New_York time zone (currently UTC−4). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Boston?
Unlike other large American cities, Boston is not laid out on a grid. Folklore says modern streets were designed by wandering cows, which is surely a myth. What's more likely is that existing Native American trails were reused and extended over the years.
What are the best places to visit in Boston?
Top sights in Boston include Freedom Trail, Boston Common, Faneuil Hall and North End. A red line in the sidewalk leads past 16 historic sites from Boston Common to the USS Constitution, including churches, burying grounds and Paul Revere's House.
What are the top things to do in Boston?
Popular experiences you can book in Boston include View Boston - Ticket, Boston CityPASS® - Access to 4 Attractions and Historical Harbour Cruise. Destina Holidays offers 43 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Boston?
The most popular types of experiences in Boston are city tours (12), tickets & attraction passes (9), cruise & water tours (7) and gastronomy & nightlife (5). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Boston?
Popular areas for hotels in Boston include Back Bay, Downtown Crossing - Theatre District and Boston Logan Airport. Well-reviewed options include Hilton Boston Park Plaza and Bostonian Boston.
How many hotels can I book in Boston?
Destina Holidays currently lists 323 properties in and around Boston, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
