Boston South Station

[BAR]

Is Boston South Station open overnight (like New York Penn) and is it possible to hang out there while waiting for the first southbound Amtrak of the day?

Thanks for any info.

Bill

[Dick H]

This Amtrak Page shows the station is open 24 hours.
https://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentS ... e&code=BOS" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just to be on the safe side, you might want to call Amtrak 1-800-USA-Rail

[BAR]

Dick,

Thanks very much for the reference. I took a look at the Amtrak System Timetable but couldn't find any information on hours at Boston South Station.

All the best.

Bill

[8th Notch]

Is Boston South Station open overnight (like New York Penn) and is it possible to hang out there while waiting for the first southbound Amtrak of the day?

Thanks for any info.

Bill

I do not know the official time it closes however I can assure you that around 12:45 all doors are locked and you cannot get in.

Edit: check the link
http://www.south-station.net/frequently ... questions/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bratkinson]

As noted by the previous poster, South Station closes at midnight, subject to late train arrivals. Even if it were to stay open, all the food places will be closed, and the only sitting areas consist of all-metal chairs and some stools at the tables used mostly by those eating. I would also anticipate that there are one or more security guards on duty that would likely ask you to leave after midnight.

If you're looking to hang out somewhere after midnight for free, you might want to consider the bus terminal (adjacent to South Station), or, Logan Airport accessible via the subway with one or two changes of trains. I would consider each of these choices as risky, especially the bus terminal (which may also have a posted closing time).

[NS VIA FAN]

.......Logan Airport accessible via the subway with one or two changes of trains. I would consider each of these choices as risky, especially the bus terminal (which may also have a posted closing time).

Logan........From the Sleeping In Airports webpage:

http://www.sleepinginairports.net/usa/boston.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[deathtopumpkins]

South Station absolutely, 100% closes at midnight. If you are still in there for any reason, security WILL escort you out - I speak from experience.

Presumably they won't hassle passengers arriving on Amtrak trains 178/166, or any of the 4 MBTA trains that arrive after midnight (including one at 1:46 am), though there is an exit directly from the platforms to the street, so who knows!

[BAR]

Thanks very much to all for the information about South Station. Based on the informed comments I will skip Boston on my upcoming Amtrak trip and make it some other time when I won't have to be concerned about possibly being stuck there overnight.

Bill

[canobiecrazy]

South Station absolutely, 100% closes at midnight. If you are still in there for any reason, security WILL escort you out - I speak from experience.

Also speaking from experience, if you're stuck overnight due to a cancellation, they won't kick you out. I spent the night in the bus terminal with a school group a few years ago when our bus got cancelled due to snow. In addition to our group (about 15), there were at least 20 other people in there. The actual bus platform area wasn't open, but the main waiting room with the stores and the escalator was where everyone was.

Although 65 ran that night, there were travelers stuck in the main room of South Station as well. I don't know if they got kicked out at midnight or if they were allowed to stay like we were, but there was a group of people with luggage still sitting at tables well after 65 left.

[deathtopumpkins]

South Station absolutely, 100% closes at midnight. If you are still in there for any reason, security WILL escort you out - I speak from experience.

Also speaking from experience, if you're stuck overnight due to a cancellation, they won't kick you out. I spent the night in the bus terminal with a school group a few years ago when our bus got cancelled due to snow. In addition to our group (about 15), there were at least 20 other people in there. The actual bus platform area wasn't open, but the main waiting room with the stores and the escalator was where everyone was.

Although 65 ran that night, there were travelers stuck in the main room of South Station as well. I don't know if they got kicked out at midnight or if they were allowed to stay like we were, but there was a group of people with luggage still sitting at tables well after 65 left.

I was just talking about the main headhouse / rail concourse. I've caught buses in the bus terminal after midnight before and it was still a surprisingly bustling place.

[theseaandalifesaver]

Once the station is closed, regardless of what trains are still due to arrive, that's it. I once arrived on a train from NYP well after midnight and wasn't even allowed to go into the station to use an ATM for cab fare. That was frustrating and super annoying.

[F-line to Dudley via Park]

Once the station is closed, regardless of what trains are still due to arrive, that's it. I once arrived on a train from NYP well after midnight and wasn't even allowed to go into the station to use an ATM for cab fare. That was frustrating and super annoying.

They're not supposed to do that. Official policy is for them to stay open until last arrival, including at the bus station which typically sees more after-midnight activity than the train station. So if anyone ever finds themselves in the position of arriving at a locked station...file a customer service complaint with Amtrak or the MBTA (the T is generally pretty good about about giving an immediate response).

[jamesinclair]

The station USED to be open 24/7.

South Station absolutely, 100% closes at midnight. If you are still in there for any reason, security WILL escort you out - I speak from experience.

Presumably they won't hassle passengers arriving on Amtrak trains 178/166, or any of the 4 MBTA trains that arrive after midnight (including one at 1:46 am), though there is an exit directly from the platforms to the street, so who knows!

Passengers arriving after midnight are not allowed in the station, even though the subway is still ruining. You have to exit to street and enter subway via the street portal.

It is idiotic.

They're not supposed to do that. Official policy is for them to stay open until last arrival, including at the bus station which typically sees more after-midnight activity than the train station. So if anyone ever finds themselves in the position of arriving at a locked station...file a customer service complaint with Amtrak or the MBTA (the T is generally pretty good about about giving an immediate response).

If someone is locking the doors every night at midnight, and has been doing so for 5 years at this point, then thats the official policy.

[JimBoylan]

It's even worse at Providence, R.I., according to posts made here a few years ago. The exits from the below ground platforms are only through the station, which is locked promptly at Midnight. When a Holiday Extra train is scheduled to arrive around 12:30 a.m., it has been necessary for the local Police to smash the glass doors to let arriving passengers escape.
At Lancaster, Pa., the situation is in reverse. The station doesn't open in the morning at the posted time, but when the janitor unlocks the doors, which can be after the 1st train to Philadelphia is scheduled to leave. Athletic passengers have learned to walk around the building and over side tracks to the island platforms.

[R36 Combine Coach]

At Lancaster, Pa., the situation is in reverse. The station doesn't open in the morning at the posted time, but when the janitor unlocks the doors, which can be after the 1st train to Philadelphia is scheduled to leave. Athletic passengers have learned to walk around the building and over side tracks to the island platforms.

Most MNCR, LIRR and NJT stations open via automatic time lock according to posted schedule on doors.

In the case of NYP, it one of the few major terminals open 24/7 since there's overnight Regional service (such as 66/67) and LIRR runs all night service on key branches as well (in fact LIRR's 24/7 ticket office may be the last such in service). PABT is as well (with some commuter routes and Greyhound 24/7).