Cab fare/transportation to TD Banknorth Garden

[green tea]

Hello fello Celtics fans!

I was recently accepted to an MBA program (Babson College) and will be flying in from California.  I will watch the March 17th game against the Knicks.  As a loyal fan throughout the 80s (and as a fan who has NEVER gotten to attend a game in Boston), this is a dream come true for me!   

I was wondering about transportation options from Babson College.  Babson College is located in Wellesley Hills, MA. 

I know that the estimated cab fare TO the garden is around $55.  Do any of you know if there are cabs running around the clock after the game ends?

Any guidance/help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Regards,
green tea

[GroverTheClover]

I've never taken a cab from that area since it's a major T stop. However, I always see cabs  lined up on Causeway after the game. You shouldn't have much of a problem finding a cab but be prepared to fight for one.

[TBreezy]

Greenline from Wellesley straight to north station...

[Donoghus]

Yeah, there are tons of cabs in that area.  Usually a line of them set up on the side of the street in front of the player/media lot.  You can also find some down by the federal building there if you walk around the corner. 

Plus, there are tons of bars in the area so cabs are always going in and out of there. 

[Roy Hobbs]

Is your plan to stay in the city and drink afterward?  Otherwise, you might consider taking the light rail from Wellesley Hills.  It's not the most convenient thing in the world (in that you have to change trains a couple of times to get into the vicinity of the Garden), but it's a lot more cost effective.

Of course, if you're going to partake in some St. Patty's Day activities, then you should be able to catch a cab.  They run pretty consistently in the city.

EDIT:  Or, apparently the Green Line goes to Wellesley, as noted above.

[green tea]

Wow, I leave to have a chat with my coworkers for 10 minutes and I have 4-5 responses.  You guys are truly awesome!

I was mostly worried about where to find a cab.  I'm severely directionally challenged and don't want to deal with the stress of switching trains, so I think I'll stick with a cab.  (Thanks anyway though, Roy!)

I won't be drinking that night.  So I'll be headed straight back to campus after the game.  (Yes, I know...the blasphemy...)

By the way, some of the things you all mentioned are foreign to me.  Where is the "Causeway"?  And what is the Greenline?  LOL. 

I'm sure I'll be able to find my way back, as long as there is available transportation. 

[green tea]

Oh, I DO have a quick follow up question. 

According to the Internet, the estimated length of time to travel from Wellesley Hills to the Garden is 22 minutes, but how much time do you think I should I actually leave from Wellesley Hills if I want to make it to the garden by 7:00PM?

[GroverTheClover]

Wow, I leave to have a chat with my coworkers for 10 minutes and I have 4-5 responses.  You guys are truly awesome!

I was mostly worried about where to find a cab.  I'm severely directionally challenged and don't want to deal with the stress of switching trains, so I think I'll stick with a cab.  (Thanks anyway though, Roy!)

I won't be drinking that night.  So I'll be headed straight back to campus after the game.  (Yes, I know...the blasphemy...)

By the way, some of the things you all mentioned are foreign to me.  Where is the "Causeway"?  And what is the Greenline?  LOL. 

I'm sure I'll be able to find my way back, as long as there is available transportation. 

Causeway Street is the street that the Garden is located on. The Green Line is a trolley/subway/mass transit line that has a stop at North Station (which is in the same building as the Garden).

If you're leaving from Wellesley, I'd give yourself at least 45 minutes to an hour. You almost always want to plan ahead to deal with traffic. 

[Chris]

Oh, I DO have a quick follow up question. 

According to the Internet, the estimated length of time to travel from Wellesley Hills to the Garden is 22 minutes, but how much time do you think I should I actually leave from Wellesley Hills if I want to make it to the garden by 7:00PM?

Give yourself an hour.  It might only take 15 minutes, but you never know with traffic that time of night.  And if you get in there early, then it sounds like you could stand to wander around a bit and get a feel for the city.  

Although I would still really recommend using the T.  It is really pretty simple, and much cheaper than taking a cab...plus you don't have to worry about traffic.

[Donoghus]

Oh, I DO have a quick follow up question. 

According to the Internet, the estimated length of time to travel from Wellesley Hills to the Garden is 22 minutes, but how much time do you think I should I actually leave from Wellesley Hills if I want to make it to the garden by 7:00PM?

If you're dealing with rush hour traffic, at least an hour.

[green tea]

Oh, I DO have a quick follow up question. 

According to the Internet, the estimated length of time to travel from Wellesley Hills to the Garden is 22 minutes, but how much time do you think I should I actually leave from Wellesley Hills if I want to make it to the garden by 7:00PM?

Give yourself an hour.  It might only take 15 minutes, but you never know with traffic that time of night.  And if you get in there early, then it sounds like you could stand to wander around a bit and get a feel for the city.  

Although I would still really recommend using the T.  It is really pretty simple, and much cheaper than taking a cab...plus you don't have to worry about traffic.

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the response!  Ok, after doing a bit of research (and based on yours and Roy's recommendation), I think I WILL use the T.  It seems like I won't have to deal with the mess of rush hour at all. 

If I get lost, then I'll just go on an extended tour of the city.  LOL. 

All of you are great!  From GMAT advice to tourism advice, celticsbloggers are the most helpful of any resource I've found on the web. 

[green tea]

Greenline from Wellesley straight to north station...

Ok, now that I've done a bit more research based on some of your recommendations, I'm starting to understand the language.  Thanks!

[Donoghus]

Greenline from Wellesley straight to north station...

Ok, now that I've done a bit more research based on some of your recommendations, I'm starting to understand the language.  Thanks!

You'll be saving a ton of money and given the time of day, odds are you aren't going to get there that much faster if you were in a cab. 

[jasail]

T does not go to Wellsley.  But here are some options:

1) take cab to Riverside Green Line station ($10).  Head inbound ($2).  Get off at Gov't Center and follow a) or b).
   
a) Leave station make right on Cambridge Street then a right  onto Staniford.  Staniford merges into Causeway.  About 1 mi walk.  Roughly 1:20 minuets.
 
b) Change inbound trains.  Take Green Line to North Station or Lechmere.  Get off at North Station and walk across street.  Roughly 1:10 minuets.

T runs consistently until 1245.

2) Take commuter rail from Wellsley Hills (Worcester Line) to South Station ($6.25). Get off train and get on subway ($2).  Take Redline towards Alewife.  Get off at Downtown Crossing and change to Orange Line.  Take it towards Oak Grove.  Get off at North Station.  Walk across street.  Roughly 50 minuets. 

T runs consistently until 1245.  Commuter Rail is a varied schedule.  Check here for schedule:

http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/

3) Take cab to Waltham ($12) or Brandies (may be closer to where you are).  Take Fitchburg Commuter Rail inbound ($4.75). Get off at North Station.  Take escalator to Garden. Roughly 40 minuets. 

4) Take a cab direct ($45 each way).  About 35 minuets.

#1 is the most convenient public transit option b/c you are not on a schedule to hit the train going in or out.  So if you are late getting in or want to stay after and grab some beers you don't have to worry about missing the train.  But it is the longest ride. 

#2 is probably the easiest in terms of getting you back and forth to Wellsley Hills.  But it can take upwards of an hour if you can't hit the subway cross overs.  That can kill you if you are trying to make the last train back out of S. Station.

#3 is what I would recommend b/c it takes you directly to N. Station and is the quickest.  Again your schedule is pretty tight as far as having to make the train. 

#4 is the easiest but cabs are expensive.  I took a cab from Fenway to Waltham last summer and it cost me $35 one way and Fenway is much closer to Waltham than N. Station.

Personally I'd take the 4:45 pm Fitchburg train into N. Station.  Walk a block away from the city, cross the intersection and make a right onto Washington street.  Follow this down past the park and make a left onto Salem and go to Ernesto's for pizza.  Walk back up to the Garden get in.  Watch the game.  Head down Portland St hit one of the bars for a couple beers.  Follow Portland to the end and go into Haymarket Station.  Take the Greenline to Gov't Center change for the Riverside train go to Riverside and get a taxi.

Call these folks for taxi options they are the best!

http://www.veteranstaxi.com/   

[jasail]

FWIW I'm not an MBTA employee or a crazed transit guy.  I just live in that general area and work right outside N. Station so I travel in via one of those options on a daily basis.  So I am pretty well versed in the options from that general vicinity.