Transfers
On the MBTA, the cost of a transfer depends on how you pay your fare and the modes of transit you take.
Most Common Transfers
Subway and Bus
For Local Bus, Express Bus, Silver Line, and/or subway, transfer up to two times and pay only the cost of the highest-priced service. For example, you will pay one subway fare to ride the subway, a local bus route, and another local bus route.
Please note that SL1, SL2, and SL3 take subway fares, while the SL4 and SL5 take Local Bus fares.
Commuter Rail and Ferry
Certain monthly Commuter Rail passes printed on a CharlieTicket include unlimited transfers to any mode. Single-ride Commuter Rail and ferry tickets generally do not include free transfers.
-
Subway to Local Bus
-
- With a CharlieCard, CharlieTicket, or contactless payment method, transfer free to Local Bus within two hours of the first tap
- CharlieCard and contactless payment allow for one additional transfer to another a bus route
- With a 1-day, 7-day, or monthly LinkPass, unlimited transfers to Local Bus
- No free or discounted transfers with cash
-
Local Bus to Subway
-
- With a CharlieCard, CharlieTicket, or contactless payment method, pay the fare difference, up to $2.40 for the entire trip
- CharlieCard and contactless payment allow for one additional transfer back to a bus route
- With a 1-day, 7-day, or monthly LinkPass, unlimited transfers to subway
- No bus to subway transfers with a monthly Local Bus pass
- No free or discounted transfers with cash
-
Local Bus to Local Bus
-
- With a CharlieCard, CharlieTicket, or contactless payment method, transfer free to Local Bus within 2 hours of first tap
- CharlieCard and contactless payment allow for one additional transfer to another bus route
- With a monthly Local Bus pass, unlimited Local Bus transfers
- With a 1-day, 7-day, or monthly LinkPass, unlimited Local Bus transfers
- No free or discounted transfers with cash
- If you reboard the same bus route within two hours, you will pay the regular fare
-
Subway to Subway
-
- Transfers at subway stations are free behind fare gates
- If you exit the station, you will pay the full subway fare to enter another subway station
-
Subway or Local Bus to Commuter Rail
-
- With printed monthly Commuter Rail pass, unlimited transfers between subway, bus, and Commuter Rail
- With 1-day, 7-day, or monthly LinkPass, unlimited transfers to Commuter Rail Zone 1A
- Cash value CharlieCards and CharlieTickets not valid on Commuter Rail
-
Commuter Rail to Subway or Local Bus
-
- With a CharlieTicket pass, unlimited transfers
- No free or discounted transfers to subway or bus with 1-way, round-trip tickets, or cash
- mTickets and 10-ride tickets not valid on subway or bus
-
Subway or Local Bus to Express Bus
-
- With a CharlieCard, CharlieTicket, or contactless payment method, pay the fare difference, up to $4.25 for the entire trip
- CharlieCard and contactless payment allow for one additional transfer to another bus route
- With a monthly Express Bus pass, unlimited transfers to Subway and Local Bus
- No free or discounted transfers with cash
-
Express Bus to Express Bus, Subway, or Local Bus
-
With a CharlieCard, CharlieTicket, or contactless payment method, transfer free to Express Bus, Subway, or Local Bus within 2 hours of first tap
CharlieCard and contactless payment allow for one additional transfer to a local or express bus
With a monthly Express Bus pass, unlimited transfers to Express Bus, Subway, and Local Bus
No free or discounted transfers with cash
All Transfer Types
To learn more about paying your fare for a transfer not listed above, find your fare payment method below.
