getting around
It's easy to get there from here! Enjoy a local restaurant, take in the sights of downtown Boston or explore the region - there's a variety of ways to reach your destination with ease.
Close to Boston Logan International Airport and just a bridge away from downtown Boston, the city is well served by public transportation system (the MBTA or "T" for short) and major roadways. Our compact city is walkable for exploring local restaurants, the historic steam bath, cultural events, waterfront open spaces or more!
Be sure to check out our Travel Tips for insider know-how!
bY pLANE
boston lOGAN iNTERNATIONAL aIRPORT (BOS)
Chelsea is just a quick ride from Boston Logan International (BOS).
Silver Line SL3 stops at all Logan all terminals. It is a 10-minute ride to Chelsea with four stations within the City near local hotels and our downtown.
-
Chelsea Station at Everett Ave.
-
Bellingham Sq Station at Arlington and 6th St.
-
Box District Station at Gerrish Ave and Highland St.
-
Eastern Ave Station at Eastern and Central Ave.
A note on the return trip on the SL3: The Chelsea Street Bridge lifts to make way for water vessels and can cause road delays. Find the lift schedule on Twitter @LogantoChelsea to help plan the trip back to the airport.
Local public transit
Silverline SL-3
Silver Line SL3 is the MBTA’s bus rapid transit line. Four stops in Chelsea connect you to Logan Airport, Seaport and South Station.
In Chelsea, parallel to the Silverline is a landscaped community path for those who’d prefer to walk between stations. Chelsea is a tiny city of less than two square miles so walking between stations can be a short jaunt.
There are four stations in Chelsea:
-
Chelsea Station at Everett Ave. Find here the Mystic Mall shopping center which includes Market Basket supermarket, discount retailers including TJ Maxx and Homegoods, and quick service favorites of Starbucks, Five Guys and Burger King. Nearby hotels are Doubletree, Residence Inn, Fairfield Inn and Homewood Suites.
-
Bellingham Square Station at Arlington and 6th St. This is the closest stop to Chelsea’s historic downtown where there are a cluster of restaurants and the award-winning Apollinaire Theatre.
-
Box District Station at Gerrish Ave and Highland St. The factories that once made cardboard boxes have been transformed into a residential neighborhood with a children’s playground.
-
Eastern Ave Station at Eastern and Central Ave. On the shore of Chelsea Creek this is the last stop before leaving Chelsea. Towneplace Suites hotel is across the street from the station.
by regional train
Newbury/Rockport line
Known as the MBTA Commuter Rail, the Newburyport/Rockport Line runs from downtown Boston to the coastal communities of the North Shore.
Chelsea is one stop from bustling North Station in downtown Boston with connections to the MBTA's subway Green Line and Orange Line.
To the north of Chelsea on this rail line, just 20 minutes away is historic Salem. Enjoy Manchester's pristine Singing Beach and the amazing murals of downtown Lynn. Find a long-standing arts community and thriving fishing industry in in Gloucester, quaint Rockport and Newburyport.
by regional train, regional bus
South Station
Take the Silver Line SL3 line outbound to Chelsea from South Station. This is a primary transit hub for the Amtrak train and a dozen regional bus lines including Greyhound, Peter Pan, and Lucky Star.
by CAR
rOUTE 1, Route 16
Chelsea is located directly on Route 1 and can be accessed northbound from Boston by the Beacon Street or Fourth Street exits. Traveling southbound, use the Carter Street exit. The Major highways of I-90 (Mass Turnpike) and I-93 have direct interchanges to Route 1.
The historic Revere Beach Parkway follows regional roadways of Route 16 and 1A. This road brings you to America's first public beach in Revere with 3 miles of sandy shoreline and a boardwalk.
Local public transit
MBTA Bus
The MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority) is typically just called "The T" and includes a network of subway lines, buses, ferries and bus rapid transit. They connect with regional trains and buses at North Station and South Station.
Chelsea residents rely on public transit for their getting around and you'll also find it a fast and convenient option. Bus lines serving Chelsea:
bicycles
bluebikes
Bluebikes is Metro Boston's public bike share program, with over 4,000+ bikes and more than 400+ stations including in Chelsea and nearby communities of Everett, Revere, Somerville, and Salem. It’s a fun, affordable and convenient transportation option for quick trips around town. You can buy just a single trip between stations or the adventure pass provides unlimited 2-hour trips in a 24-hour period.
There’s several awesome bike routes in the area including the Northern Strand Community Trail, an 8-mile “Bike to the Sea” connecting Boston to the city of Lynn; the East Boston Greenway with spectacular harborside views from Piers Park; and the Mystic River Greenway, a network of greenways crossing Everett, Malden and Somerville with points including Assembly Row and the Encore Boston Casino.
free local shuttleS
Encore Van and Water Shuttles
Encore Boston Harbor Hotel and Casino operates five shuttle vans and a water shuttle to connect their resort with nearby transit and neighborhoods. The shuttles are free and open to everyone -- you don't need to stay or visit the resort.
The Shuttle Van stop for the "Neighborhood Runner" route stops in Chelsea beside the Market Basket grocery store and "Chelsea" Silver Line SL-3 station. This route connects you to neighborhoods outside Chelsea including Everett Square and Rivergreen. (At Rivergreen you'll find Sky Zone Trampoline Park and Night Shift Brewing. part of a cluster of breweries and distilleries gathering buzz as the Fermentation District.
Between the Encore resort and Boston's Long Wharf there's a free water shuttle. Aboard the comfortable boat you'll travel down the Mystic River, pass under Chelsea's landmark Tobin Bridge and into Boston's Inner Harbor.
All the Encore shuttles operate frequently. Check the Encore website for the latest routes and schedules.