South Station Bus Terminal

There’s a McDonald’s and a few other small food stands but it is just dark and really cold in the winter. It’s the no thrills side compared to the train side of South Station. I found that I stayed in the main station and only came to this side right when it was time nearing check in time for the bus. I’d still use this terminal if my travels take me this way, but boy do I wish they’d update it.

South Station Bus Terminal looks quite nice from outside, the exterior architecture is a combination of metal and glass. This station is not the cleanest and the inside looks pretty run down. However, it is much less confusing than Port Authority Bus Terminal, probably due to it being smaller. In my opinion, it is pretty conveniently located, just walking distance from Downtown Boston and Chinatown. There is an escalator and also stairs that lead to the second level. If you have a lot of luggage, there is also a huge elevator located close to the escalators. Once you go up to the second level, there is another set of escalators that lead to the third level, where there are some fast food establishments for you to grab and go and this level is also where all the bus gates are! Yes, no going up and down a bunch of escalators before finding your gate, score! The restrooms are also on this level, but they are not the cleanest, and the ladies’ room always has a long line during peak hours.
You have easy access to several main bus lines such as Megabus, Greyhound, Peter Pan, BoltBus, Lucky Star, Concord, Yo! Bus, etc.– which is not the case at PABT. Depending on which bus you take, you will be dropped off at different locations in New York, which is not convenient for travelers at all, which is why I like South Station more than PABT, all the major bus lines will drop you off here at a single central location. Before you even see the gates, there are signs with each bus line’s name and their gate number so you know exactly where you’re going. Before entering the area with the gates, there are booths and kiosks where you can purchase tickets and also ask for any information. At each gate, it is clear where the bus is going and the time of departure. At PABT, I would have to ask people in line for the bus’s destination and time of departure because some gates only have the gate number and exclude other details, plus, the workers are always nowhere to be found!
Overall, I really like this bus terminal compared to others that I’ve been to. It’s also great that there is almost always no heavy traffic in front of the building, so it is easy to be picked up and dropped off here, and also very convenient to hail a cab after arrival. South Station is only lacking in the variety of food establishments and shops that it has.

I passed through the hallowed halls of the South Station Bus Terminal many, many times. Sometimes I strolled in with plenty of time to spare, other times I ran in full sprint to catch a bus. Either way, this is where you go to get a bus in Boston.
It is not very big, so you will not get lost, but do take note that it is next door to the South Station where the trains depart, so you should allow for some transfer time. Also, the food options in the bus terminal are pretty meager, so get yourself something in the train station first.

It’s easy to get to but the long lines of people stretching into the lobby area is a bit confusing. No idea which lines are for which gate. They need to have more organized line management.
In any case, there are a few food areas including McDonald’s. There are well-​marked bathrooms also they are often full during peak hours.
The pick up area is not much of one because it’s effectively just the street. No dedicated pullover spot.

Unilocal has reminded me I have checked in here 93 times … In the past 3 — 4 Unilocal years.
For a budget traveler like me, bus travels are a must. 4 hours to Manhattan, 2 hours to Portland, 5 hours to New Jersey, 7 hours to Montréal … Megabus, Greyhound, Boltbus, Peter Pan, all operates from this location.
Over the years, the food court choices and quality of the South Station (adjacent to the bus terminal on the other side of the train tracks) has improved drastically. However, the food court adjacent to the bus docking stations in the terminal stayed constant, McD for late nights, D’Angelos and Honey Dew for earlier travels.
The busses themselves are on-​time about half the time. Depending on who is operating the line, I find Megabus slightly more comfortable and better operated (informs you when things are late), Boltbus rewards are most handy (8 paid trips for a free one-​way), Chinatown bus the cheapest, although people often question the safety of it all (whether it’s a real concern or political), and Greyhounds are the worst (leaves you hanging for hours without telling you why, overbook the busses by more than a margin) — sadly, they are the only bus operator which crosses the border of US and Canada. I waited for 4 years for someone to challenge that position, but to no avail.
The best part about South Station Bus Terminal is that it faces the front gate to Chinatown which gives access to a lot of the downtown area adjacent to that and a lot of delicious food options given time.

The South Station bus terminal is pretty abysmal. While the train station is a slightly better story, the bus station leaves a lot to be desired. The only food options are McDonald’s, Honey Dew Donuts, D’Angelos, and convenience store snacks. Thankfully my ‘layover’ was long enough that I was able to pop out to grab food elsewhere. (The train terminal has more options, but is a short walk).
The bathrooms were disgusting. You could smell them from down the hall. If it weren’t a bodily necessity, I would have opted not to use them.
I knew my way around (it’s not that big of a place) but the signage is poor and the layout is sort of wonky. There is also a surprising lack of places to sit. Two or three terminals share a bench with about 10 seats… while each bus seats about 50+. If I’m doing the math correctly, seems like there are a lot of people standing! (Which there was!)
I think it’s time Boston invest a few dollars in improving the interior! I don’t frequent this bus station, but I hope it’s a while before I return.

South Station isn’t all that bad. The place itself is clean and it’s easy enough to find your way around since its not too large. I wish there was more organization when it comes to forming lines, a clearer announcement system if a bus is running late*, more seating, but hey what can ya do. Whenever I am travelling to Bostons, I always end up here because Amtrak is too damn expensive. (Amtrak goes here too.) I end up taking MegaBus, who we kidding?
All in all, this place does the job. It helps me get from point A to point B and definitely is a step up from places like Port Authority. I’m a happy camper most of the time.
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*Luckily enough, I was by the front of the line. If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have known my original bus broke down and I’d have to wait for another hour till the next one. Yelling bus-​man, you need to be a little bit clearer next time for the peeps in the back.

This bus station is not bad at all. If you’re coming from the train station (is next to it) or from the street, you can find it right away.
There are some screens showing the departures and arrivals, showing in each case the gate associated with each one. When you head to the circular area, you can find some food stores, restrooms or some ticket booths.
Near the gates there are a lot of benches to sit down or sleep and wait for your bus, also there’s free wifi to make awaiting shorter.
My experience was pretty positive there, everything was good and in place.

This place is huge. The outside architecture is very neat and historic. The inside is a bit run down. I took a Concord lines from portland maine to South station then walked to my hotel near tufts.

The bathrooms are the only thing about this place that anyone seems to pay attention to maintaining. When I was here today, there were birds in the building (that can’t be particularly safe), the temperature could be best described as «swamp-​like,» and people were generally cranky.

Came with NY Penn Station as our benchmark and left without any bad tastes in our mouths other than the overly assertive info booth workers who harass you if you’re waiting for a train as if you’re lost.

I was gonna go with 2 stars and downgraded after contemplation.
This place gets the hammer for many reasons:
1) Its hard to find from the T station if you’ve never been here before. (Those little signs are invisible to strangers)
2) LACK of use of a public speaker system for announcing the inevitable and endless delays that accomplish bus travel in this area.
3) NO WORKING Water fountains
4) HORRIBLE BATHROOM FACILITIES.
5) ALL decent services are back along the tracks to the train station.
Here’s the thing: one of the main reasons I Unilocal,is because in this fair land of ours, unlike many other developed and UN developed countries, we suffer from a serious and pervasive lack of functional public toilets.
If you have ever been out of your home for longer than 15 minutes with children or elders, you are probably going to be looking for a bathroom. Even as a grow adult with good physical functions, when you travel all day, you are going to need a bathroom.
5 broke down stalls for thousands of women is not ok for a world class transit center. One cruddy trailer is not ok for thousands of guys.
I KNOW there is a tariff to the facility built into every ticket. This is shameful and unacceptable, Boston.

This place is pretty big and a little confusing if it’s your first time. But if you ask around, people are willing to help!
The food court area with Pinkberry, Starbucks, etcetera is all near the big clock center. If you need to get to the bus platforms, you need to head pass the train platforms towards the elevators, and then go up the stairs. From there on, it’s pretty self explanatory!
There are some seating areas, so feel free to sit around! But if you still have a while, hang out elsewhere because there isn’t much here except a few ticket booths.
Tips/​Observations:
You can show your ticket on your phone! Just make sure the barcode is visible.
Overall, it gets easier each time you need to pass by here!

Oh man South Station… There’s a side of south station could be rated a 4 easily and that’s the commuter rail & Amtrak Mecca! They have sooooooo many food choices, places to sit and clean bathrooms.
Then there’s the «other» south station the place where you take the buses… (Maybe the more frugal) only deserve the choice between McDonald’s, honey dew donuts and D’angelos.
If your not busy stuffing your face at any of these fine food establishments (while you are standing of course, because there is no seating) make sure to stop by the mega bus counter and be disrespected by the jerk at the front desk. Oh and before you board your bus make sure you use the bathrooms which are poorly stocked and has a urine smell so bad it will burn your nostrils. Be sure to have change ready for the people begging for change and the «others» who will tell you a sad story about how they have no family but their cat just died and they need a few bucks to make it home…
Shame on you south station! You have got to do better!

Got here at 4:20am for 5am train and doors were locked. Had to stand out in the snow for 15 minutes before they opened doors. So don’t be too early for your train!
Other than that, it’s a nice place.

I went to this Bus Terminal once when I traveled to New York. I came early in the morning and finding my bus terminal was fairly easy. This place itself had a few food eateries including McDonalds, if I recall correctly. Can’t say much about the restrooms since I didn’t use them. Also, what’s great about this bus terminal, is that you can sit inside until your bus is ready to load. This is a convenience since I imagine it being super cold during winter if you had to wait outside.

It’s a bus terminal but kind of depressing. It’s almost as bad as port authority. The bathrooms are awful and should be cleaned much more regularly. I wanted to bathe myself in hand sanitizer. McDonalds there was okay and I was glad I didn’t have a long layover there for my bus to NYC.

I like this bus terminal because it’s indoors! It can use a little upgrade such as some lights to brighten it up, art and cute design acne it’s kind of boring looking! Also they should have the slop on both side for those traveling with luggage! It is a bus terminal!
Come early because traffic is always crazy! There are a few food choices and China town is up the block so have fun!

I have been to South Station probably over 25 times and I’ve never had an issue except for the fact that it is freaking COLD AS A MOTHER in this terminal (think November — February time). Bring your jacket and a blanket or two… or three. And no, I’m not hypothyroid, because my TSH and T4 levels are normal (:
Other than chilling temperatures, South Station is my fav — great food court and easy to navigate your way around!

As far as bus stations go South Station is probably one of the better ones I’ve been in. It’s not that seedy looking and it’s in a relatively decent part of town. You also board the bus inside which is a huge plus because if the weather is bad it doesn’t matter.
I do wish that there was an indoor connection from here to the T. You actually have to go outside and cut through the train station to get to the Red line stop for this place. The train station has a small food court and that’s definitely the best place to grab food before jumping on the bus. There’s more selection there than in the bus terminal. The bathrooms in the train section of South Station are also pretty clean.