Listen up all of you Ghouls and Goblins! Leave your broomsticks at home this year and use some of Salem’s great transportation options instead! Salem is a very walkable city with plenty of ways to get around without using a car. Keep reading to learn our favorite ways to get to and around Salem, MA.
GETTING TO SALEM
Arriving in Salem is easy with public transportation options, downtown parking garages, and the ability to go from home or your accommodations right to downtown with the Salem Skipper. An extension of Boston’s Bluebikes are now available in Salem, as well as the new Getaround carshare service!
MBTA Commuter Rail
Coming from Boston, Salem is a short ride away from North Station via the Commuter Rail. Additionally, the Commuter Rail connects Salem to excellent cities north of Boston, like Rockport and Gloucester. Fares and schedules vary according to the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority), and the most up to date schedules may be found at MBTA.com/Schedules. Make sure to check updates and service changes that can affect the operating hours and route of the local commuter rail. All service changes through the MBTA will be posted HERE.
Commuter Rail tickets may be purchased with cash onboard or with the mTicket mobile app for your smartphone. Once in Salem, the Commuter Rail Station is located right downtown, within walking distance to many shops, restaurants, accommodations, and attractions.
Salem Ferry
Another way to reach Salem from Boston is to hop aboard the Salem Ferry. In just under an hour, the ferry can take passengers between Salem and Boston, while offering scenic views of both cities. The ferry, Nathaniel Bowditch is equipped with enclosed and open-air seating, tables, and restrooms, making the trip a quick and comfortable one.
The ferry departs from Long Wharf in Boston, and docks in Salem at Blaney Street, both of which are within walking distance to many local attractions. The ferry runs seasonally through October 31st and rates vary, so be sure to check out the Salem Ferry website before planning a trip.
Driving to Salem?
If you are planning on driving into Salem, we recommend leaving the car parked for most of your visit. As such a walkable city, it will be easier to leave the car parked and walk or take the Salem Trolley to your destinations throughout your trip. Directions to Salem and parking locations and costs are available here.
When considering driving to Salem for the month of October we highly recommend driving to one of our neighboring cities and parking in their MBTA lot and taking the train the rest of the way in. Parking in Salem in the month of October can be very crowded with the high number of people coming in and out of town throughout the day. There are Satellite parking lots with shuttles available later in the month that are listed HERE on our website. Parking fares are much higher in the month of October, so we recommend considering alternative options.
GETTING AROUND SALEM
Salem Skipper
The Salem Skipper is a wonderful option to get around Salem! As our local rideshare service, the Salem Skipper can take you anywhere within Salem for just $2/ride (or $1 for senior citizens, middle and high school students, and people with disabilities).
To take the skipper, download the mobile app for iOS or Android, or call (844) 983-1842. You’ll be matched with a nearby driver and other passengers going a similar route to your destination. Learn more at salemskipper.com.
Bluebikes Salem
Download the Bluebikes app to easily purchase $10 adventure passes for 24-hour bike access, or opt for a single 30-minute trip for $2.95. Bluebikes offer an easy way to reach points just outside of downtown, like Pioneer Village and Forest River Park, Salem Willows, and Winter Island. Learn more at bluebikes.com. For multiple rides consider their membership options with a Monthly Membership costs of $26.75 a month or an Annual Membership cost of $12 a month.
Getaround
Getaround carshare service us Salem’s newest car share service that offers visitors a car for everyday rides around town, or weekend getaways. Get a car wherever and whenever you need it with your iOS or Android device through the Getaround website or mobile app. Click HERE to learn more about their offerings in Salem, Massachusetts.
Walking Distances
Once in Salem, you’ll be pleased to find that most everything you’d want to do is within walking distance. Downtown is about a mile wide, and any Salem attractions are located within about a 20-minute walk from each other at their farthest points. You can view a map of downtown Salem here or you can check out a listing of all of our Haunted Happenings Special Events here.
Salem Trolley
The Salem Trolley runs daily from April 1 to November 1 from 10:00 am-5:00 pm (last full tour beginning at 4:00 pm). You can stay on the trolley for an informative hour-long tour about Salem’s past and present, or you can use your ticket to hop on and off throughout the day to get around town. The Trolley is hop on hop off based on capacity, which means that if the Trolley is full you won’t be able to hop on. This is something to keep in mind for the month of October, and to know that this is not the case for the rest of the year here in Salem. If you take the Salem Ferry into town consider purchasing the combination ticket that includes the Salem Trolley!
Walking Tours
To get the most out of your walk around Salem, plan on taking a walking tour. There are tours to cover a variety of topics including historical tours (like Black Cat Tours pictured above), ghost tours, and even food tours. Check out which tours are available here or learn more about walking Salem’s Heritage Trail here.
