Back Bay Station
Back Bay Station is one of Boston's main transportation hubs, sitting at 145 Dartmouth Street in the Back Bay neighborhood. It serves Amtrak, MBTA Commuter Rail, and the Orange Line subway, making it a practical starting point for exploring the city as much as a stop for commuters. This guide covers where the station is, what trains run through it, its design and history, and the landmarks within easy walking distance.
Quick Facts
- Address: 145 Dartmouth Street, Back Bay, Boston, MA
- Opened: 1987
- Architect: Kallmann McKinnell & Wood
- Serves: Amtrak, MBTA Commuter Rail, MBTA Orange Line
- Accessibility: Fully accessible, with elevators to all platforms
Location
Back Bay Station stands at 145 Dartmouth Street, filling the city block between Dartmouth and Clarendon Streets in the Back Bay neighborhood. A Dartmouth Street underpass connects it directly to Copley Place, and it sits within easy walking distance of the Back Bay's shopping districts and cultural landmarks.
Trains and Transit Lines
Back Bay Station handles three kinds of rail service under one roof: Amtrak intercity trains, MBTA Commuter Rail, and the MBTA Orange Line subway. Here is what each one covers and where it goes.
Amtrak
Back Bay Station is a secondary Amtrak stop for Boston, served by the Acela Express, the Northeast Regional, and the Boston section of the Lake Shore Limited. Amtrak has no staffed ticket counter here, so tickets are typically bought in advance online or through the Amtrak app.
MBTA Commuter Rail
Four MBTA Commuter Rail lines stop at Back Bay Station: the Providence/Stoughton Line, the Franklin/Foxboro Line, the Needham Line, and the Framingham/Worcester Line. Five tracks serve Amtrak and Commuter Rail trains at the station.
MBTA Orange Line
The Orange Line subway runs through Back Bay Station on its own platform, positioned between the two groups of mainline tracks. This gives the station a direct subway connection into downtown Boston and the rest of the Orange Line corridor.
History and Design
The current Back Bay Station building opened in 1987, designed by the architectural firm Kallmann McKinnell & Wood as part of the Orange Line's Southwest Corridor project. It replaced an earlier New Haven Railroad station that opened on this site in 1899, which itself followed an 1879 Boston and Albany station nearby. That history of transit on this block stretches back more than 140 years, even though the current building is comparatively recent.
The station's design draws on an arcade style from turn-of-the-century railroad architecture. Rust-colored laminated wooden arches, about 40 feet high, span the entrance and concourse between Dartmouth and Clarendon Streets, and free-standing brick ventilation towers mark the Clarendon Street entrance as a kind of landmark in their own right. Inside, high ceilings and extensive glasswork fill the concourse with natural light.
Public art is part of the station's character. A bronze statue of civil rights leader A. Philip Randolph, unveiled in October 1988, stands inside the station, and a cast iron sculpture called Farewell to Steam by George Greenamyer references the shift from steam to diesel and electric rail. Because the station's rail infrastructure is largely enclosed, air quality inside has been a long-running maintenance concern. A renovation project is underway as of 2026, covering concourse reconstruction, new lighting and signage, and accessibility upgrades, with work expected to continue through spring 2027.
Nearby Attractions
Back Bay Station's location puts several of Boston's cultural landmarks within walking distance. The Boston Public Library is a short walk away, known for its architecture and extensive collections. The Prudential Center, a prominent skyscraper nearby, offers shopping, dining, and city views from its View Boston observatory. Trinity Church and the picturesque Copley Square are also within easy walking distance, both popular stops for visitors interested in Boston's architecture and historical sites.
Beyond these immediate landmarks, the wider Back Bay neighborhood rewards a longer walk, with its brownstone-lined streets and upscale shopping along Newbury Street.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Back Bay Station in Boston?
Back Bay Station is at 145 Dartmouth Street in the Back Bay neighborhood, filling the city block between Dartmouth and Clarendon Streets, with a direct underpass connection to Copley Place.
Is Back Bay Station the same as South Station?
No. They are two separate Boston transit hubs. Back Bay Station is in the Back Bay neighborhood and serves Amtrak, Commuter Rail, and the Orange Line, while South Station is downtown near the Financial District and serves additional Amtrak routes, Commuter Rail lines, and the Red Line.
Is Back Bay walkable from the station?
Yes. Back Bay Station sits inside the Back Bay neighborhood itself, so landmarks like Copley Square, Trinity Church, and Newbury Street's shopping district are all within easy walking distance.
Is there parking at Back Bay Station?
Parking options exist near the station, though availability and pricing change. Checking current MBTA or Amtrak parking information before your visit is recommended, since this page does not track live parking data.
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