Monday, November 15, 2010

Help! Traveling with baby to Logan Airport from Acton. Can I take luggage on Bostons Commuter Rail? -

I am going home for Christmas and am trying to find a way to get to Logan Airport without having to pay several hundred dollars. I will be gone for 15 days, so airport parking isn t an option (it would be over $300!). I will have 3 pieces of luggage (1 medium suitcase, 1 small suitcase, and one backpack) and a 13-month-old baby. Here s the kicker--I m traveling by myself because my husband is deployed. We just moved here, and I have never ridden the Commuter Rail before. I live nearby Acton, and I know there is a station there, so I thought I might be able to ride it to Logan. Would I be able to take my luggage on the T comfortably? Do I need a car seat, because I wasn t planning on bringing one (my parents have an extra at our final destination). My flight leaves at 10, so I was thinking about leaving my house at 6 a.m. on a Monday morning. I could leave earlier if need be.

Wow, you re going to have your hands full! Getting the luggage on the train can be done but it s not like checked luggage. it rides right with you,, and with luck the conductor or a fellow passenger will help you get it aboard as there are about four steps to climb when boarding from a ground level platform such as the one at South Acton. The platform at North Station is a high level which is level with the floor of the coach, so getting off will be much easier. But then you ve got to get from North Station to the Airport. Although you could then take the Orange line subway to State, then the Blue line subway to Airport, then the shuttle bus to the terminal, In your case, I d opt for a cab. That cab ride would cost about $26.55. That is roughly $31 with a 15% tip. It is about 6.1 miles. There is a $2.75 surcharge for trips to Logan Airport. First train leaves South Acton on weekdays at 6:21 am. Arrives at North Station at 7:17. Enjoy your trip! Leave the car seat at home unless you plan on renting a car.Oh, the South Acton station is right off Central St., not far from the intersection with Main St. (Rte 27). If you re coming from north of there, It s probably easier to bear right onto Prospect St. at the Mobil station, then go left on Central and make a right into the parking lot.Added 11/22 - Below are some good options. You ll need to weigh hassle factor versus money savings and how many seat/train/mode changes you want to endure.

Take the Commuter Rail to PORTER SQUARE. No car seat needed, luggage isn t a problem. The train will be crowded as you will be in rush hour. Try to make the 6:21 train. At Porter Square, get on the Red Line Inbound to South Station. From there, take the Silver Line to your terminal at Logan. Consider UPSing the majority of your clothes and your child s clothes to make things more manageable.

You could try www.loganairportvaletparking.com They would be a lot cheaper than massport and a driver meets you right at the front door of your airline and brings the car right back to you at the end of your trip. Special deals for single mothers, seniors, and the handicapped. You do need a reservation though.

Follow Penny Lee s instructions. Make sure you watch your luggage and keep it next to you while on the Red Line - it may be very crowded and rough and having anybody chivalrous enough to give you and your backpack a seat is dubious. Pray your child will not start bawling. (If you have the time take the red line OUTBOUND from Porter two stops to the Alewife Terminus; then take the inbound train from there - it will probably be the same one - and you are guaranteed to find a seat in front of which you can put your luggage and drape your legs over it). Sit in one the last seats in the front or back of the train car in order not to block standees as much as possible.I also recommend the 06:21 train - the first of the day - just to be safe, even though even if you reverse from Porter to Alewife you may possibly get to the airport as early as 08:00.Better to be safe if there is a train or subway delay and if you have to kill an hour or more to relax at the airport and play with and calm down your baby.Have a great family reunion.PS: Did you explore flying out of Manchster-Boston Regional Airport?